Heads up about the new test gear at the Atlanta MRO show

I was at the big aviation maintenance show in Atlanta last week and got hands on with the new portable spectrum analyzer from Aerotech. The demo unit had a sticky rotary encoder on the main tuning knob that would skip counts, which is a huge red flag for a tool that needs precise settings. If you're thinking about buying one, check that control very carefully before you sign off. Has anyone else run into quality control issues with their newer test equipment?

4 comments

4 Comments

piperbailey2mo ago

A tech at my hangar mentioned the same problem with a demo unit he saw in Dallas. He said the encoder felt gritty and would jump two or three steps when you turned it slowly. It's a real shame because the display and battery life on that unit looked great otherwise.

miller.rowan2mo ago

Did they let you try a different unit to compare? I had that gritty encoder feel on a demo once, and it turned out to be just that specific hardware. The one right next to it on the shelf was totally smooth. Maybe it's a bad batch of parts, or just some units got roughed up from people fiddling with them. It's a bummer when one part ruins an otherwise good piece of gear.

dakota4152mo ago

Ever ask for a replacement?

dakotab937d ago

Honestly I kind of wonder if people are being too picky about these encoders. You turn it slowly and it skips a step or two, so what? Nobody actually uses these things at that speed in the field you just spin it quick to scroll through menus. The fact that the display and battery life are solid is way more important than some minor roughness in a control you barely touch. Plus every piece of gear has little quirks, that's just how hardware works. Maybe it's a feature not a bug to keep you from accidentally changing settings.