[PCR-1000] Re: PCR1000 and Optoelectronics Digital Scout questions

[Ubbe]

-----Original Message-----
From: "Miguel Puchol" <mpuchol at wanadoo.es>

> You're probably right. I think Opto must have changed
the Digi completly.

Funny to see that Opto doesn´t mention that this is an
improved version with RS232 and better RF performance.

I where probably too quick to buy mine when it was
released. I think it cost something like $700 back then.

Opto said it would perform equal if not better than
the analog Scout, but that wasn´t true with my "beta"
digiscout. And I could never sell my analog scout to
finance the purchase of the digi, as the digi where so
poor in performance.

Have they changed the buttons as well? Mine is very
stupid and works in reverse with a quick press on the
ON/OFF to turn it off or a long press to turn on the
display backlight. Many atimes have the digi turned
itself off while keeping it in the pocket of my jacket.

Also interesting to see that Opto now says that both
scouts should have 9VDC power. My Scout40 have broken
4-5 times with the internal power supply going up in
smoke when using it with the, back then, specified
12VDC. But I've learned over the years that it works
alright with 9VDC.

Also my Digi blow up when using a 12VDC supply, as
specified by opto, when I jiggled the connector on the
Digi. The construction of the DC jack is strange where
the break contact is connected to ground somehow and
when you supply 12V voltage and the contact haven't
really made the "break" fully, it will blow the fuse
inside and two 5 volt low-voltage-drop stabilizers.

I haven't fixed mine since it blow up a 18 months ago.
Opto where kind enough to include the 5V ICs with a
reaction tune kit for the Optocom at that time, but I
forgot to mentioned the fuse that I haven't been able
to find anywhere locally. And I haven't really much
motivation fixing the Digi as it is such a dog.


> There's even no interface IC for RS232 in my Digi and it's performance is terrible

> There are actually two jacks on the unit

Yes, that's the Mark II Digi and I have the Mark I :-(

As I have a pcr1000 it would have been terrific to have
the RS232 digiscout.

Ubbe.