AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

Just picked up a Great Planes AccuPoint laser incidence meter. I have to admit it is an ingenious design and should be simple and easy to use...However...

I tried to zero this unit on a flat surface (by adjusting the angle of the weight and shifting the thumbscrew), while I can get it zero'd easy enough if I lift one end of the unit and set it back down, I am lucky if it is within a degree (more like 2 degress) of that zero point. Doesn't seem like the gimbal is very free. Sure doesn't return to the same point. Anybody else have this problem? How did you solve it? Kinda useless like this.

...Bill[:o]

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

Chances are it is not the gimbal, but the thumb screw (wheel ) underneath. I had to put A LITTLE locktite on the threads to stiffen the wheel up. Now you need to hold the laser with one hand while adjusting the wheel with the other.

Once you have centered the laser unit you should not have to touch it again if the wheel is stiff.

What I did (do ) is to center it on a flat surface (as determined by a level ) and move the laser unit a couple of times with my finger tip to make sure it always hits the same spot. If it is sticking put a SMALL DROP of teflon gun lube on the swivel points and work it in. The teflon will not gum up with age, humidity and only minimally (compared to oil ) with dust/dirt.

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

Is the laser unit secure in its mount?

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

Thanks...it doesn't seem to be the thumbscrew moving. When I move the laser with my finger, it never comes back to the same place. I will try the teflon lube - i think the gimbal is just too stiff.

...Bill

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

Can you use this tool to measure the thrust angle of the motor?

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

Yes, you can measure thrust angle. It comes with an adapter for doing just that. Mine works fine. just seems to take longer to set up.

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

Hi all...

Just a follow-up to my earlier post. The gimbal was binding. I contacted Great Planes support, they replaced my gimbal and the new one centers just fine. Extremely happy with the way GP handled this situation!!!

...Bill

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

One other thing to remember for future reference is to make sure the pointer piece goes back into the holding bracket the same distance each time. I changed the batteries and found it was out of adjustment. It wasn't the adjustment wheel, just the location of the laser in the bracket. Not a big deal, but it can lead to having to readjust constantly.

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

I have one and find it quite usefull. Before using it I always tap the laser to make sure it settles back to the same position. If yours doesn't then it is indeed rather useless. If the lube doesn't fix it, then return it!

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

Read two posts up. He did. Got a new one.:)

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

I have been, and still am, a fan of many Great Planes products, and this is not to bash them. But in in this case, I have to say one word... Robart.

I like the idea of a laser, but the calibration issues with that device drove me nuts, and I quit using it. You can pull the Robart meter off the wall, with or without the bar and wing thingies, and use it "already calibrated" for a huge variety of tasks... quickly and easily, and with no battery.

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

DITTO to what Mike said!

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

Agreed, stick with the Robards. I have three of them. When I set up my racing airplanes I use the three of them simultaneously. One each on the wing, tail and engine. I could not do that with the laser meter. With the Robards there is no calibration, they are all the same. One cannot argue with a spirit level.

Ed S

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

Tower has discontinued this item with no explanation.

RE: AccuPoint laser incidence meter zeroing problem
 

that is pretty bizarre. I have this meter and it seems to be working out without any problems. Does anybody know why they disconinued it??