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Deputy
USA
27 Posts |
 Posted - 08/23/2013 : 11:30:18
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I thought I might start a thread of requests for improvements to the current and next version of the GC300. Here is my list:
1. A red LED light that blinks when radiation is detected. I see the GMC200 has this. It is quite useful in low light and noisy conditions where you can't hear the clicking or see the screen.
2. A louder "click" for the radiation detection and/or a headphone jack so that you can attach earphones/earbuds. In a noisy environment the current "click" is drowned out.
3. The option to turn the battery charger OFF. This is especially useful when you are using an alkaline battery. If you have an alkaline battery installed you can't hook up to a computer because it will start charging. A small switch inside the unit or a software option to disable the battery charger would solve this.
4. Brighter backlight display. I couldn't beleive my unit was set at the maximum power (10) when I tried to brighten the backlight display. Without the backlight the display is all but invisible unless you are outside in sunlight. Even with the backlight, the display is relatively dim. I know the backlight sucks down a lot of juice, but if you can't see the display, you might as well save some money and buy the GMC200.
Please feel free to add your requests for improvements/modifications. |
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| Reply #1
Deputy
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2013 : 11:50:55
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Let me add one more:
I would like to see the battery indicator when the unit is turned OFF and plugged into my computer. Right now I have to turn it on to check battery state. |
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| Reply #2
ZLM
1261 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2013 : 14:49:50
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Since GMC-300E version, there is a jumper switch just beside the battery. It has a marking "Battery Charge ON/OFF". Set the jumper to OFF if you are using a non-rechargeable battery.
Without the USB/External power, the unit automatically reduce the backlight to about 70% of standard level. That is to save the battery power. When using a USB/External power, the unit backlight is fully turned ON. We may need a user option for 100% backlight ON when needed.
BUT, make sure your backlight timer setting is on "ON". Other settings will cause the backlight off after a while.
It is a good idea to add a battery indicater when the unit is OFF while it connected with an external power. |
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| Reply #3
Dan
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2013 : 16:35:10
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quote:
Originally posted by ZLM
It is a good idea to add a battery indicater when the unit is OFF while it connected with an external power.
You already have it...
The Green light on the ac-to-usb adapter goes out when the unit is charged, so you can tell if is finished charging, but not the state of charge, you have to look at the "battery voltage" to do that... |
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| Reply #4
Deputy
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2013 : 18:58:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Dan
quote:
Originally posted by ZLM
It is a good idea to add a battery indicater when the unit is OFF while it connected with an external power.
You already have it...
The Green light on the ac-to-usb adapter goes out when the unit is charged, so you can tell if is finished charging, but not the state of charge, you have to look at the "battery voltage" to do that...
Dan: We are talking about when you are charging the battery from the USB power with the unit turned off. |
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| Reply #5
Dan
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2013 : 19:02:47
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I see with a computer charging it you would never know...
They could put something in the software... |
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| Reply #6
Deputy
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2013 : 07:37:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Dan
I see with a computer charging it you would never know...
They could put something in the software...
Maybe they did. New GMC-320 is now for sale on E-Bay. |
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| Reply #7
ZLM
1261 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2013 : 08:52:34
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| Not yet since this is new request. But it should be added later on. |
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| Reply #8
harlan
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2013 : 07:59:34
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| Do not forget my request for GPS |
Harlan
NETC.com |
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| Reply #9
ZLM
1261 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2013 : 22:07:33
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Yes. Actually it is on the to-do-list.
The GMC-300E has a jumper just beside the battery. It can set to turn the charger off.
The GMC-320 has a user option in menu to select between rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. When non-rechargeable battery type is selected, the unit turns off the charging circuit. |
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| Reply #10
distguitar
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2013 : 04:49:00
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I would like to see the following enhancements:
1. Quick reaction to button presses. Quite often it takes multiple retries before unit will respond to buttons.
2. Separate battery lid. Preferably changing unit to run off AA batteries (similar to Terra-P)
3. Background monitoring in power save mode (turn off display, sound - but keep checking CPMs now and then)
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| Reply #11
distguitar
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2013 : 10:02:10
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I would like to see the following enhancements:
1. Quick reaction to button presses. Quite often it takes multiple retries before unit will respond to buttons.
2. Separate battery lid. Preferably changing unit to run off AA batteries (similar to Terra-P)
3. Background monitoring in power save mode (turn off display, sound - but keep checking CPMs now and then)
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| Reply #12
ZLM
1261 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2013 : 23:53:36
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| distguitar: your #3 is already supported since first version of GMC-300(E). |
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| Reply #13
distguitar
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2013 : 04:58:28
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Oh really? I need to re-test again. I thought I kept it long enough next to the test source (5g uranium ore ~150cpm) for alarm to go off, and yet it did not... I must've tested it wrong. Thanks!
quote:
Originally posted by ZLM
distguitar: your #3 is already supported since first version of GMC-300(E).
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| Reply #14
distguitar
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2013 : 19:17:39
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So... apparently it does count in background, but does not trigger alarm? As soon as I woke it up, it started beeping.
So, we do need code to wake it up and to start beeping.
quote:
Originally posted by distguitar
Oh really? I need to re-test again. I thought I kept it long enough next to the test source (5g uranium ore ~150cpm) for alarm to go off, and yet it did not... I must've tested it wrong. Thanks!
quote:
Originally posted by ZLM
distguitar: your #3 is already supported since first version of GMC-300(E).
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| Reply #15
ZLM
1261 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2013 : 12:18:35
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| In power saving mode, the speaker turned off, but the unit still counts and saving data to flash. Alarm works with power saving mode if it turned on. |
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| Reply #16
distguitar
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2013 : 16:48:27
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I think I might have a defective unit... :( I sent email to support.
Thanks! |
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| Reply #17
ZLM
1261 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2013 : 15:06:55
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| Tested with my unit. It seems it works as designed. |
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Topic |
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Request list for next version of GC300
