DRO recomendations for Lathe

[JoeFin]

Cruising EBoner looking at a few different DROs for my lathe.

A few look pretty cheap compared to some of the more well established names in DROs and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with some of these brand names.

SINPO - 2 axis DRO
Absolute/Incremental
~ Power : 100-240Vac , 50/60Hz
~M/I: MM/Inches conversion
~Radius/ Diameter selection
~Linear error compensation function
~Machine Reference
~9 Tool compensation
~200 work piece datum
~Power off memory

Electronica - 2 axis DRO
· Inch/Metric Display
· Line Hole Function
· Axis "Quick-Zero" Keys
· Grid Function
· Axis Set
· Linear Bolt Hole Function
· User Selectable Resolution
· Arc Contouring Function
· Half Function
· Radius / Diameter
· Distance to Go
· Tool Offset
· Center of Circle
· Taper Function
· Center of Line
· Polar Coordinates
· ABS/INC Coordinate Display Switch
· Easy Setup Mode
· Calculator
· Axis Summing
· Sub Datum Memory
· Vectoring Function
· Power Off Memory
· Pre-Set Depth (PSD)
· Bolt Hole Circle
· Touch Probe Input (400 Series Only)
· Bolt Hole Arc
· Linear Error Compensation


Any thoughts ??

[BigJohnT]

I built a couple of DRO-350's from shumatech and they work fine and cost a fraction of what the big boys cost.

John

[sophijo]

I have a Sinpo 3axis for my mill ....no problems and about 1/2 cost of others.

[j king]

just put a sinpo on one of my lathes. seems fine..

[EVguru]

I have a Sinpo from http://www.thedrostore.com/ on both my lathe and my mill.

I had to change the glass scale for a magnetic encoder/strip from http://www.machine-dro.co.uk/ for the cross-slide, but that was for packaging reasons rather than any problem with the glass scale.

I've been happy with both.

[Lu47Dan]

I have an Easson on my mill with glass scales, and have been debating installation of a DRO on my lathe also. To make installation on the lathe easier I am going to buy one with magnetic scales instead of glass, less likely to get contaminated over time and use.
The magnetic scales have a thinner profile making mounting easier and cleaner on the cross feed.
I bought mine from the DRO Pros, as I did not want a possible hassle with U.S. customs or if I had a problem I could call them up for assistance.
This is the one I have been looking at lately

[Boostinjdm]

I'm also in the market for a DRO. Thought I'd jump in here rather than start a new thread since we're looking at the same ones. I'm really tempted to go with the electronica el400, but I've got glass scales on my mill that work fine so I'm also looking at the dropros 2L. Trying to justify the price difference to myself. Some input from current users of these models would be helpful.

[gcude]

I waited until I could get the Electronica. I wanted/needed the low profile scale for the cross slide. I have been very pleased with the unit. The installation videos by DRO Pros for the Electronica are excellent and did influence my decision. I had watched the install videos a couple of times before the unit arrived and my installation was a breeze. Not the cheapest by a long shot, but worth it from experience.

[Boostinjdm]

I'm still watching the videos. Had to start downloading them and then walk away. Took like 3 hrs.