[no subject]

> He talked about updating the software to make it a little more
> useful for field work but nothing came of it.

I thought that loading the SW on a laptop would make it a useful tool, too
but it's too clunky for fieldwork. Actually, when buyer's remorse was at a
peak this morning, I came across the Smarthome Monterey clone that's on sale
here (no affiliation) for $89

http://www.homeautomationnet.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=921

and thought that was what I really needed.  I can't see much difference from
the Monterey when I compare the specs  - except maybe the Testerlinc is 200
bucks cheaper!  Well, one thing that's odd is they use a "quality count"
rather than display signal voltage.  But again, the Testerlinc does not log
to a PC.

> The ESM is handy for a quick test particularly when you want to look >
across a room and see if a signal is getting through.  I like the
> Monterey but it is somewhat error prone as Dave mentioned.

I'll bet the Testerlinc suffers from similar issues.  One thing that freaked
me (and Dave, if you are reading, please correct me if I am wrong) is that I
think Dave said they used the Monterey to *calibrate* the ESM1.  How bad
could the Monterey be if they use it to calibrate other meters!!!?  :-)
FWIW, as soon as I opened the Lynx box, a little voice said "you should have
bought the Monterey or the Testerlinc!"

I'd like to figure out how to "broadcast" the output of the ESM1.  I'd like
to be able to bring it up as a system tray icon so that every time an X-10
command was sent, I could see its strength.  Maybe I'll just set up an old
CCTV camera and broadcast it via cable TV modulator.  Now showing on channel
111!  X-10 Signal Strength!

> It is still useful and was my favorite UNTIL I got my hands on the
> ACT 004 tester.

Don't make me spend any more money!!!!!!  I've already decided I have to get
that little USB scope that Dave mentioned earlier.  I just haven't found the
cheapest price for it yet.

http://www.usb-instruments.com/buy.html

lists only one dealer which means they can command list price.  Still, it's
an OK deal for $220 since it includes the software.

> Not cheap, it is, (saw StarWars the other night) but for the money it's
> a better unit than the Monterey and is my current favorite.  I still
> have my old Leviton tester too, now about 20 years old, and it still
> does the job in a primitive sort of way.

What does it do that the Monterey doesn't?

>  If I could only have one, it would be the ACT 004. (Home Controls had
> the best price on it at the time).

Maybe providence and the spirit that protects wallets and bank accounts has
made the ACT 004 impossible to find on Google.  No, wait, oh, darn, here it
is:

http://www.homeautomationnet.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=214

For $250, it might be worth it if I did installs and needed to leave
something overnight to log data.  But it's got the same damn Achilles' Heel
that the Testerlinc and the Monterey have - no way to log to a PC.  It's got
lots more neat buttons and features, though.  Next time I save myself a lot
of money buying Minicontrollers for $2 each I'll be able to justify buying
the ACT.  There's something perverse about spending all the money I save
buying cheap X-10 gear on expensive X-10 test equipment.

--
Bobby G.