I presently own two MX-500s and decided to purchase the MX-700. The Light button on the side of the unit is much harder to press than on the MX-500. Is this a newer design feature or a failure of my unit?

Yes the light button is now heavy duty because the earlier design would break. I had one fail on a MX-500.
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As Hiker said, the button is a new design. The reason for this design is that they used to break off of the PCB very easily, since there wasn't really much solder. So, after having repaired a lot of them at URC, I explained the issue to the engineer and this is the result. So you can blame me for the change...just not the design. :)



Thank you,
Damon DG
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Control Systems Consulting, Sales & Remote Programming

Thanks for the prompt responses.

But couldn't a more user friendly (read: easier to depress) switch be adapted to the design? I have not read any positive comments on this, and the same critique goes for the hard to maneuver center navigation button......

This message was edited by Marc Robert on 04/19/05 19:13 ET.

It seems like you now have to press the button so hard that it puts even more pressure on the circuit board solder joints than with the older style switch. Damon didn't say that the switch was faulty, only that the solder joint was weak. So how does a harder to press button solve the problem? I wouldn't be surprised to see these switches breaking off after awhile.

The newer MX-850 units have a very soft button and are a pleasure to use after trying the 700. Are the 850s using the same switch as was previously used on the 700 and will these solder joints also start breaking in the near future?

Igleaner,

The old button was an in-line switch. The new button is actually similar to the "Select" button...except it's a downward press by an extended plastic button from the side. So, when you press inward, the plastic button inside presses down on the button.

I hadn't noticed a difference in the button, so I'll have a look.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consulting, Sales & Remote Programming

Damon,

Thanks for taking a look..... I'm surprised that this problem made its way out of Beta......it seems to be a less than apprecaited aspect of an otherwise greatt peice of engineering. Other than the poor ergonomic maneuverabilty of the center push button of the circular navigation wheel, the MX-700 is still a pleasure to use..

Marc

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the engineering, just that the original switch neede a little more solder. But since they changed to the new design, I'm not aware of any of the same issues happening.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consulting, Sales & Remote Programming

Damon - Still waiting for an answer on whether the softer light switch on the MX-850 is the same as the older style switch on the MX-700 which was prone to breaking.

I'm still not convinced that a harder to press switch solves the problem of too little solder on the circuit board. Either they should have softened the switch further or added more solder if the switch was separating from the board. It seems they did just the opposite!

Igleaner,

I haven't come across any with the "softer" switch yet, which is why I hadn't written back.

So I just called the URC Service Dept and was told that the only change made is the light switches are now directly part of the circuitboard and not soldered at all, but the button style remains the newer style.

I hope this properly addrsses your concern. :)



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consulting, Sales & Remote Programming

Thanks for the prompt reply. However, the switches on both my 850s are definitely softer than on both my two 700s. The 700 switches are hard to the point of being very difficult to press for senior folks, while the 850s are soft and require very little effort to use. They are a real pleasure by comparison.