Wanting some advice on a new Dro for my mill I am getting. Precision Matthews mx200 or mx100. Is the mx200 working glitch free now with the latest firmware update? Did the mx100 ever have any problems? I was going to get the mx200 until I read about all the problems. This will be going on a Precision Matthews 728VT mill and installed by Precision Matthews. Thanks and have a merry Christmas
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Precision Matthews Dro decision
- Thread starter Yamamax
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On a mill I would recommend the MX200, as there are many mill specific functions and it is a graphical interface with soft function buttons that change based on the menu. Last I read all the glitches had been resolved, I would call PM/QMT if you have any concerns on those issues. I have the DRO Pros version of the same DRO version of the MX200 an like it a lot. The only negative is that it is a capacitive touch screen, so it can be a bit finicky with oily or wet fingers. I added a screen protector overlay same as is used on touch screen computers, prevents any damage to the display and easy to clean.
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I have said on several forums (and I’m sure here) that if/when I decide to up-size my mill and/or lathe I will look hard at PM, and would make the 4 hour drive to visit the showroom to see their offerings up close. Part of my purchase decision would be the willingness of PM negotiating a price to include the mounting holes for scales (or installing scales of my choice) so I could use TouchDRO.
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I have the glass scale DRO 3 axis on the mill and 2 axis on the lathe supplied and I stalled by PM. I actually had shiping damage of the DRO on my lathe and replaced it with the identical DRO (2 axis version) as I have on my mill. I like the DROs I have.
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It is a touch screen, same type of screen you use on tablets, your phone and on some laptop computers. Your fingers do not activate a button but when you touch the screen it changes the local capacitance and activates that portion of the screen corresponding to the highlighted function. So a touch screen would have they same properties as say a tablet, but if you hands are greasy or wet, it can affect how well the it will work, it is not a positive click or button. Some DROs use membrane switches behind a sealed surface, while others have tactile buttons. The MX200 also has a graphical screen, so can show you more then just segmented numbers, so for milling it can display different milling or drilling arrays and guide you to the next point. I also find the graphical displays to be easier to see under different light conditions. If you go to there listing page for the MX200 they give you some example of the different screens and you can compare them to the MX100 which is a straight numerical segmented display. Often if you have lights or sunlight shining on the display, they green segmented ones are more difficult to see, and as I mentioned on mine I have a non-glare protective layer which also reduces any reflections.
On a lathe you are typically just reading axis numbers, on the mill you often use more elaborate functions that may be available in a DRO.
www.precisionmatthews.com
On a lathe you are typically just reading axis numbers, on the mill you often use more elaborate functions that may be available in a DRO.
MagXact MX-200M Magnetic 3 Axis Mill DRO – 10x20x16 Inch Scales – Precision Matthews Machinery Co.
www.precisionmatthews.com
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It's not a touch "screen" really. To be clear the entire front is a sheet of glass or hard plastic, but the 'computer' display area is the smaller section top/left. All the numbers, arrow keys, on/off, those function buttons along the bottom and all that grey area in-between is not displayed, it's printed on the back of the front sheet. It is capacitive touch to activate. If you turn the unit off the display goes dark, all the buttons and stuff are still there clear as day.
I have one of these on my lathe and love it. I have owned several of the 100 types over the years. They are okay but nowhere near as nice as the 200. For those of us a bit older they are much easier to read vs the 100.
I spoke with PM recently about the 'glitches' and software updates. All the issues are resolved at this point. They also reverted the version number back to 1.x so if you receive a unit and it says version 1.0 don't be alarmed. For us software dev guys that sounds crazy but there you have it.
I have one of these on my lathe and love it. I have owned several of the 100 types over the years. They are okay but nowhere near as nice as the 200. For those of us a bit older they are much easier to read vs the 100.
I spoke with PM recently about the 'glitches' and software updates. All the issues are resolved at this point. They also reverted the version number back to 1.x so if you receive a unit and it says version 1.0 don't be alarmed. For us software dev guys that sounds crazy but there you have it.
