Considering - Questions

[TellarHK]

I've been looking over the list of various models of VFD and LCD, but have had a couple things that rather bugged me a little bit. Such as the difference between the MX4 and MX5 series - since the descriptions are so similar for the parts, what's the biggest difference between the two?

Also, has anyone had any experience with making different keypad overlays for the bay inserts? I'd love to get one of those dropped into my case, but I'd definitely prefer to do it knowing I had a simple way to make an overlay for the buttons. Are the buttons able to be relocated in the insert, or are they permanently mounted to the positions they're in?

[ex0tica]

MX4 is LCD, and MX5 is VFD.
VFD is much more brighter and much easier to see at an angle.

[Tom]

Exotica is right about the MX4 and MX5 difference, but I would also like to add something in. The MX5 also needs an unmodified floppy power cable and USB power to power it up.

The keypads are permanently mounted on the bays with an adhesive. However, you can get a display without the keypad and use your own, aslong as it is a standard matrix style keypad.

Best Regards,

[TellarHK]

Exotica is right about the MX4 and MX5 difference, but I would also like to add something in. The MX5 also needs an unmodified floppy power cable and USB power to power it up.

The keypads are permanently mounted on the bays with an adhesive. However, you can get a display without the keypad and use your own, aslong as it is a standard matrix style keypad.

Best Regards,

Duh. I should have spotted that myself before asking the question. Other than the display type, are they both the same unit? The accessory listing for the MX412 lists the floppy power cable splitter as needed for high-end MX series systems, so I would have thought it to be required for both MX4 and MX5 until now.

I love the design of the systems, am definitely planning on getting one, but the one minor gripe I have is definitely the keypad layout. My case has noplace to mount a keypad without serious dremel abuse, other than the one that could come with either MX4 or MX5 unit - but I think that keypad looks very... well, how do I put it? Ugly. Has anyone made any overlays for it, or are there templates that I could get from MO to let me print off and use my own stick-on overlay that would fit properly? Both my roommate and I will want to design some sort of MO-based display into our computers, and a template would help that immensely.

Also, is there any demo/emulator version of LCDC that I could get in order to start prototyping with? It's going to be a few weeks before we have the cash to get anything ordered, but we've got the free time now. Isn't that how it always goes?

Thanks for the answers, and any further help.

[Tom]

Other than the display type and the MX5 requiring extra power, the MX4 and MX5 is the same unit.

If you want to create your own overlay, you will need the measurements of the display. The manual will have the physical dimensions that will help you out. The link to the manual for the MX4 is at http://www.matrixorbital.com/manuals/LK ... USB_01.pdf.

You will be able to download and use LCDC as a trial instantly. It is on trial for a certain amount of days until you register it. You can enter the cd key once you received your MX unit, and your registration code will be emailed to you. You can download LCDC at http://www.lcdc.cc/downloads.htm.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to ask.

Best Regards,