THE DPU-550, A MUST HAVE OR CAN YOU LIVE WITHOUT IT?

There has been much discussion about the “dead-end” status of the 16F876 MPU (the MPU currently found on the DRO-350). It has been stated that it is at EOL (End Of Life) for several reasons.

The DPU-550 extends the functionality, and thus the life of the DRO-350. It sports a 50mhz ARM7 processor (MPU) by Atmel and has a boxcar’s worth of memory when compared to the DRO-350’s PIC16F876A. It’s a 32 bit MPU (as compared to the PIC16F876A, which is 8 bit) which makes for much faster processing, especially when math operations are involved.

The DPU-550’s two variants give the user the option of a basic processor upgrade, with a bit of additional functionality, for a current price of around $50.00, which will include not only the DPU-550 board, but all the internal cables, etc., necessary to use the additional functionality.

The big increases in functionality come in the form of the ability to support four different scale protocols, two additional Auxiliary inputs (Edge and Tach) and the ability to communicate with a computer through a USB port.

The DPU-550 Lite can be field upgraded to a DPU-550 Full which will add two additional scale inputs, two more Aux inputs, true RS-232 and a souped up 5vdc power supply to power up to five glass scales.

Field upgrading is not for the faint of heart in that most of the components are surface mount (SMD). If you attempt it, you need very good soldering skills, the proper tools (an SMD repair station would be nice) and a bit of patience. Attempting it when the DPU-550 is “new”, that is none of the through hole components have been mounted, is “doable”. But if you’re attempting it after the DPU-550 Lite has been populated with the through hole components, you’re going to be working in some pretty tight quarters.

It appears to be possible to upgrade the DPU-550 Lite in stages. If you need only one additional scale, leave off the components that are exclusive to the fifth scale. Don’t need RS-232? Leave off those components, which, btw, saves a few bucks.

When will the DPU-550 Full be available in the completed form? It’s difficult to say. A production run of the Full version would be quite expensive and it’s questionable whether the market will support the investment. Upgrading the Lite version in house will be time consuming, but would allow “custom” configurations.

Do you need a DPU-550? That’s totally up to you and how you use the DRO-350. If you currently have a DRO-350 and aren’t missing any of the features that will be added by the DPU-550, then put your money elsewhere. If you are buying new, again weigh the additional functionality against the cost. I’ve had one of the high end, “brand name” DRO’s on one of my mills for several years (long before I had heard of the DRO-350). I use only 4 or 5 of the dozens of special functions available.

But if you have use for the functionality, or always by the “chrome” version of a product, then you probably want the DPU-550.

It’s a personal choice, and only you can make it.

One nice thing is that if you buy a DRO-350 and then later decide you need/want the DPU-550 upgrade, you’ve only wasted about $10.00 and an hour or so of time. It’s not like buying a ½ ton pickup only to discover the job demands a 1 ton.

As Huckabee says, “That’s my opinion, now tell me yours”. We invite you to post your comments whether positive or negative.  And keep an eye on this blog. I’m going to try to post at least 3 times a week. Feedback from you will keep the dialog going.

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