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Northern Caving - CNCC Newsletter 16 out now
We’re proud to announce publication of our 16th newsletter, covering our work and other northern caving news from June to December this year.
These last six months has seen great proactivity from our volunteers, meaning we have matched the record-breaking 16-pages of the previous issue.
Disto X2 finally available!
- Thread starter sluka
- Start date
kdxn
New member
I have been testing a Disto X2 over the past few months in Gaping Gill and it has withstood the ravages of mud and water in there including the notorious NW inlet. I also now have a second DistoX2 completed.
It is based upon the Disto X310 which has IP 65 and shock protection plus a more robust keypad, better than the Disto A3 that was used in the original DistoX.
Assembly is easier than the original DistoX although you will need lead-free soldering but no more soldering of fiddly wires to testpads. Patience is required to desolder the battery terminals from the processor board.
The magnetic sensors are the same as before so you still get a quality magnetic compass but this does require the 56 measurement calibration. One big improvement is the use of an internal non-magnetic Lithium Ion polymer battery which is charged via a micro-USB connector.
Charging has not changed the magnetic calibration over several cycles !!
One awkward bit is that the non-magnetic battery can only be bought in USA and must go via an $80 courier so my suggestion to you all out there is to club together and buy 20 batteries in one go and spread out all the charges which will include HMRC customs duty.
I have 6 available batteries here in UK which are available at what I paid for them, contact me if you are interested.
The Disto X310 is now available in two versions, 80m and 120m. Beat confirms that you can upgrade both.
Costs for a DistoX2
DistoX2 upgrade board 180euro
Disto X310 ?160 to ?210 (depends on where you get it and also which range 80m or 120m)
Non-Magnetic Battery $23 to $120 (www.powerstream.com)
micro-USB breakout board ?1.20 (www.hobbytronics.co.uk)
USB to micro-USB cable ?1 (poundland)
A gear review should appear in the next Descent.
It is based upon the Disto X310 which has IP 65 and shock protection plus a more robust keypad, better than the Disto A3 that was used in the original DistoX.
Assembly is easier than the original DistoX although you will need lead-free soldering but no more soldering of fiddly wires to testpads. Patience is required to desolder the battery terminals from the processor board.
The magnetic sensors are the same as before so you still get a quality magnetic compass but this does require the 56 measurement calibration. One big improvement is the use of an internal non-magnetic Lithium Ion polymer battery which is charged via a micro-USB connector.
Charging has not changed the magnetic calibration over several cycles !!
One awkward bit is that the non-magnetic battery can only be bought in USA and must go via an $80 courier so my suggestion to you all out there is to club together and buy 20 batteries in one go and spread out all the charges which will include HMRC customs duty.
I have 6 available batteries here in UK which are available at what I paid for them, contact me if you are interested.
The Disto X310 is now available in two versions, 80m and 120m. Beat confirms that you can upgrade both.
Costs for a DistoX2
DistoX2 upgrade board 180euro
Disto X310 ?160 to ?210 (depends on where you get it and also which range 80m or 120m)
Non-Magnetic Battery $23 to $120 (www.powerstream.com)
micro-USB breakout board ?1.20 (www.hobbytronics.co.uk)
USB to micro-USB cable ?1 (poundland)
A gear review should appear in the next Descent.
kdxn
New member
When you get your DistoX2 made up, strongly suggest you add a screen protector before first use.
The Disto X310 plastic screen does scratch with wiping mud off it and that could lead to screen cover failure.
Get a large mobile phone screen protector and cut to size, rounding the corners.
Battery performance ?
I have been doing about 500 measurements per day and have got two long days use out of it before the battery failed. I need to do more battery performance tests but am reluctant to do this whilst doing the GG re-survey because I need my time underground to be productive survey-wise.
My early version of the DistoX2 has a battery voltage set point for the third battery symbol very close to battery depletion, I only get 30 measurements after the battery symbol changes from two to one bar. Beat has now modified the battery voltage levels so you should experience more measurements after the battery symbol drops to one bar.
The Disto X310 plastic screen does scratch with wiping mud off it and that could lead to screen cover failure.
Get a large mobile phone screen protector and cut to size, rounding the corners.
Battery performance ?
I have been doing about 500 measurements per day and have got two long days use out of it before the battery failed. I need to do more battery performance tests but am reluctant to do this whilst doing the GG re-survey because I need my time underground to be productive survey-wise.
My early version of the DistoX2 has a battery voltage set point for the third battery symbol very close to battery depletion, I only get 30 measurements after the battery symbol changes from two to one bar. Beat has now modified the battery voltage levels so you should experience more measurements after the battery symbol drops to one bar.
kdxn
New member
For those of you considering the 120m version of the X310 for upgrading.
You may want to know about this discount I have just arranged with Sean at Merlin Lazer.
http://www.merlinlazer.com/Disto-X310-Laser-Tape---120m-MODEL-NEW
They have done a price match and will sell you a 120m version of the X310 for ?146+VAT which includes next day shipping.
If you want this, then phone up, ask for Sean and say you want the 120m X310 for Cave Surveying and would like the same price as provided to Kevin Dixon.
I will have my two DistoX2 at the Cave Surveying course 22/23 February to be held at Bull Pot Farm and am willing to help with any DistoX2 builds that weekend.
You may want to know about this discount I have just arranged with Sean at Merlin Lazer.
http://www.merlinlazer.com/Disto-X310-Laser-Tape---120m-MODEL-NEW
They have done a price match and will sell you a 120m version of the X310 for ?146+VAT which includes next day shipping.
If you want this, then phone up, ask for Sean and say you want the 120m X310 for Cave Surveying and would like the same price as provided to Kevin Dixon.
I will have my two DistoX2 at the Cave Surveying course 22/23 February to be held at Bull Pot Farm and am willing to help with any DistoX2 builds that weekend.
kdxn
New member
For DistoX2 builders and people considering getting a DistoX2 in UK and Ireland.
I have a new shipment of batteries on their way and will ship these one way or the other within the UK and Ireland.
I have also been assembling DistoX2 for a few people.
If you are having trouble with assembly or want someone to do it for you, you can PM me.
I have a new shipment of batteries on their way and will ship these one way or the other within the UK and Ireland.
I have also been assembling DistoX2 for a few people.
If you are having trouble with assembly or want someone to do it for you, you can PM me.
kdxn
New member
For those of you building your own DistoX2, here is a suggestion about installing the Micro USB breakout board for charging.
A recent DistoX2 build was put in some heavy hands and the breakout board snapped off taking the solder pads with it.
So to fix this, I used some 1mm diameter copper cable through the two mounting holes of the Micro USB breakout board and wrapped round the board. The copper wire is then soldered to the battery terminals making sure that the Disto battery box lid can be fitted without it warping. The GND and VCC pads of the Micro USB board are soldered to the battery terminals by flexible wire.
I have now modified my two DistoX2 as above.
Highly recommend this modification especially if you are going to be taking your DistoX2 on expedition.
As a side note, the EU have recently voted to introduce a common mobile phone charger by 2017 and the front-runner connector option is a Micro-USB.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24726077
A recent DistoX2 build was put in some heavy hands and the breakout board snapped off taking the solder pads with it.
So to fix this, I used some 1mm diameter copper cable through the two mounting holes of the Micro USB breakout board and wrapped round the board. The copper wire is then soldered to the battery terminals making sure that the Disto battery box lid can be fitted without it warping. The GND and VCC pads of the Micro USB board are soldered to the battery terminals by flexible wire.
I have now modified my two DistoX2 as above.
Highly recommend this modification especially if you are going to be taking your DistoX2 on expedition.
As a side note, the EU have recently voted to introduce a common mobile phone charger by 2017 and the front-runner connector option is a Micro-USB.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24726077
Apocalypso
New member
Hi :-\
Just curious if anyone managed to reach Beat Heeb lately? I'm trying to mail him for the last couple of weeks but didn't get any respond so far
Teo
Just curious if anyone managed to reach Beat Heeb lately? I'm trying to mail him for the last couple of weeks but didn't get any respond so far
Teo
