Re: New Article Posted

John,

I had the same opinion as you until I ran into a bugger of a problem
and tried to get it resolved beyond just soldering in new chips. I
truly wanted to understand what happened, why, and how to avoid it
in the future. The response was simply unsatisfactory in too many
ways. I stand by what I have written. It is true. Hopefully it is an
isolated case that everybody can learn at least something from and
then move on.

In the end, it seems that hobbyist level driver design probably
isn't (with the exception of Gecko) as robust or "simple" as we
would like it to be. After much thought, research and testing, I am
pretty certain that my HobbyCNC board, as well as many others who
have had to replace chips, would not have blown up if I had used an
optoisolated port card right from the start. If the instructions had
so stated, I would have done so. Had Dave sold them in his site, I
would have purchased one.

Optoisolation is certainly a subject we could all pay some attention
to. I bought a board from CNC4PC.com. The first one was a breakout
board only, though I thought it was isolated. Arturo Duncan, the
proprietor of CNC4PC not only allowed me to return the incorrect
card after I had it for a month, but he credited me before I sent it
back to him and I purchased the correct isolated card. Arturo even
drafted up a preliminary wiring design for me to use with my
HobbyCNC board that incorporated his isolator board, safety charge
pump, and index pulse card. Now THAT'S CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!

I know all of these guys put a lot of sweat and tears into the
design and manufacture of their products and I have a lot of respect
for that. Being that this is truly a niche hobby with few
genuine "experts" other than the "horse's mouth", I think it is fair
to assume that a vendor who offers tech support will be ready,
willing and able to provide the utmost in such. I know Gecko does
so. And I know others who do as well.

Finally, as with any industry, those who fail to innovate and those
who fail to care for their customers end up out of business. Look
what happened to the PC manufacturers who gave crappy support or
sold second-rate equipment. Most are long-gone. So if you're selling
CNC hobbyist equipment, don't get pissed off and alienate your
customers...take their criticism and use it to improve your
products, whether that means re-engineering the circuit to include
isolation, or if it means simply providing detailed instructions for
construction, operation, modification, interconnection and
troubleshooting. Don't begrudge your competitors for designs that
are better, cheaper, or cooler than yours...innovate! Surprise your
customers and deliver MORE than they expect. Leave them overwhelmed
by the great products and service and they will tell others about
their experience and bring you more sales and the hobby more
participants, which is good for all of us.

Regards,

Tom



--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "cncnovice" <crcitser@...>
wrote:

>
> Tom,
> You seem (to me) to be not telling the whole truth. Dave Rigotti,

at

> HobbyCNC, has always given excellent advice to his customers, as
> anyone who is a member of the Yahoo HobbyCNC group can testify.
>
> In this "HOBBY,",in my opinion, Dave is equal in rank to Jeff at
> Xylotex, Ballendo at DIY-CNC, Mariss at Gecko, B. Anliker at
> CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO, Bob Campbell at Campbell Designs, and many, many
> others.
>
> Although you are a disatisfied customer of HobbyCNC, you really

have

> no right to stretch the truth about Dave's support to his

customers.

>
> Just my 2¢ worth.¶
>
> List Mom, and moderators, if this message is deemed offensive, and
> not allowed, I will understand, but I think that Dave is getting
> a "BUM RAP' that he doesn't deserve.
>
> Regards to all,
> John Champlain
>