[balsaman]

Looks like a geckodrive in a different package.

Eric

[Mariss Freimanis]

I have some information all right; this has been percolating since Nov 25.

It looks the same because the enterprising fellow who "designed" it has copied the core printed circuit board layout of our G201 REV3 exactly. This is a 2 year old design of ours.

He is going to be sued for copyright infringement next week so buy as many as you can while you can. We are going for damages so the more in circulation the better for us.

A word of caution though. Do not try to run them at more than 5 amps per phase; the MOSFETs overheat and fail. I know because I have a couple of them. He didn't get everything right.

By the way, why are you cross-posting this message to all the groups? You joined my group, posted the same message, then left. Any chance you are the great designer Steve Kelly of Protobyte? Or perhaps you are the more elusive Johnny Smith? Just wondering.

Mariss

[ullbergm]

Originally posted by Mariss Freimani
It looks the same because the enterprising fellow who "designed" it has copied the core printed circuit board layout of our G201 REV3 exactly. This is a 2 year old design of ours.

Some people have no shame.. sounds like they deserve whatever they get.

Good luck Mariss

ps. Been really happy with my new geckos. the toy is a nice touch aswell. keep up the good work.

[ezland00]

is G201 for stepper motor?

[balsaman]

Yes.

Eric

[cncadmin]

I got this email-

Our having dropped a toy in someone else's sand box probably didn't
deserve jamming a sucker stick in our eye, but.... either way, a
response is in order.

We don't intend to defend ourselves with the many stories available,
especially within a posting to an internet group. Anyone doing so
should realize they open themselves to allegations of defamation,
slander and other forms of libel.

GeckoDrive's allegations of "copyright infringement", in post# 68538
were referred to our attorney (www.spencerfane.com ). This matter
began with their first allegations (dated 09-22-2003).

As for technical accuracy: The G201A REV-3 design is three-years old.
The MOSFET's used in the ProDrive-2000 dissipate a mere "watt"
(static) each, when operated at 5-amps. This means "Robust".....

PROTOBYTE INC.

[Verboten]

I don't think that the OEM pricing would apply to most of us here anyway. The list price is actually higher than Gecko.

[Mariss Freimanis]

G201 REV3 circuit + G201 layout + flaws + no manual + no support + copyright infringement = What?

Buyer beware is what.

Mariss

[pack rat]

I didn't see the prices and I dont have to. Even if they are 1/4 of the price is not worth it. Support and advice from Gecko's is well documented in these pages. I'll spend couple hundred hours making the machine and then take a chance trying to save couple dollars on most important part of the system. Not me, I am frugal but I ain't STUPID.

[AJ_Mac2001]

I wholeheartedly agree - when I come to invest in the part of this machine I know the least about, I'll be going with Gecko. One only needs to read a few posts on drivers to see they have a well respected product and furthermore their support is "above and beyond".

In the anonymous world of the internet I certainly appreciate the community of the Zone and if I may be permitted, the sense of comraderie/trust that shines through.

Merry Christmas!

[DaSigntist]

Very simple........

Want Support?
Want Quality?

BUY GECKOS!

Any Questions?

[HomeCNC]

And you even get a fun "toy" when you buy them

[anoel]

Hey.... Wait a minute... what's all this talk about a toy.

All I got was a Gecko Magnet.

Just kidding.... MY magnet looks cool on my fridge.

[cncadmin]

Originally posted by anoel
Hey.... Wait a minute... what's all this talk about a toy.

All I got was a Gecko Magnet.

Just kidding.... MY magnet looks cool on my fridge.

I love my Gecko magnet to!

[anoel]

Anything more ever come out of this?

[Mariss Freimanis]

Well, we are nearly done running a battery of comprehensive tests on it. Once all the data is collected we will post a side-by-side comparison to the genuine article.

So far the preliminary results are interesting:

1) I've had to repair it twice so far. There are thermal problems that cause the MOSFETs to fail when run at 7A @ 80VDC.

2) There is a circuit flaw that results in missed steps under certain operating conditions.

3) There is a component that is stressed past its ratings at high phase current settings. This component will fail in within 2 - 3 months of operation.

The counterfeit drive is a copy of the G201 REV-3. There is a reason we don't sell REV-3 drives; (2) and (3) was resolved in later revisions. (1) is unique to the copy.

Stay tuned.

Mariss

[NeoMoses]

I'm glued to my seat. Can't wait to see the results.