forum.cncdrive.com

Soon I plan on buying either a UC400ETH or a UC300ETH-5LPT. I can't decide which one is better. Here is how I understand their feature set;

Both can controls up to 6-axis simultaneously.
Both work with the UCCNC software and Mach3.
Both go up to 400kHz step frequency operation.
Both use a Ethernet connection.

However, the UC300ETH-5LPT can also work with mach 4.
It has 49 digital inputs and 36 digital outputs in 5 IDC26 ports.
The UC300ETH-5LPT has far more I/Os. 3 additional ports with a total of 84 digital I/Os (UC400ETH only has 34 I/Os, and there are no analog I/Os)
It also has 2 analog 0-10V outputs and 2 analog inputs.

The UC300ETH-5LPT is powered by a external 5 volt power supply.
The UC400ETH is powered by a external 12 to 24 volt power supply.

My question is; why would anyone want to buy the UC400ETH when the UC300ETH-5LPT offers more features?

What am I missing?

My question is; why would anyone want to buy the UC400ETH when the UC300ETH-5LPT offers more features?

To me, there's almost no reason to buy a UC400ETH, when the price difference between it and the UC300ETH is so small.

The only reason to buy a UC400ETH, to me, would be if you are using a Gecko G250, or Leadshine MX3660 or 4660, and have no use for the analog ports, or additional I/O.

You're choice of breakout boards, however, can have a huge impact on total price. I recommend the UB1 with the UC300ETH, which is about $200 delivered. But you don't need the 5LPT motherboard, which saves about $40.

You can run a UC400ETH with two $10 chinese boards, and save a lot of money, if it does all that you need.

Gerry...
Thanks for answering the major hardware portion of the questions I have for you. I have a few MX-3660 and a couple MX-4660 units that will go into some small future projects, but in a couple cases will need a BOB. Don't really want the cheapo Chinese units and don't need a full featured $200 board either. Is there something of fair quality mid priced?

ger21 wrote:The only reason to buy a UC400ETH, to me, would be if you are using a Gecko G250, or Leadshine MX3660 or 4660, and have no use for the analog ports, or additional I/O.

The only thing that I don't like about the UC300ETH-5LPT is that it looks like it will be hard to panel mount it in a case, where as the UC400ETH is set up nicely for panel mounting, but I'm sure I'll figure something out once I get it.

I will be using a Gecko G540 (and UCCNC). The UC300ETH-5LPT is still my best bet, correct?

AngelArs wrote:I will be using a Gecko G540 (and UCCNC). The UC300ETH-5LPT is still my best bet, correct?

Maybe not. How many inputs and outputs do you need? With the UC400ETH, you can plug in your G540, and a breakout board like a C10. If that will handle all of your I/O, then the UC300ETH adds nothing but analog I/O, since you won't likely be using the other 3 ports. But again, it's like a $25 price difference.

I wanted to build not only for todays needs, but also future-proof for what I might need down the road.

The $25 price difference is well worth it to me if it keeps me from having to buy other product later.

ger21 wrote:

AngelArs wrote: With the UC400ETH, you can plug in your G540, and a breakout board like a C10.

Why would you need a C10? I thought the G540 came with its own breakout board....

The UC400ETH has two ports, and the G540 only uses one.
The G540 only has 4 inputs I think, so if you want to use the second UC400 port, you'd need a breakout board.

Having recently bought the 300eth I've got to say it is well-made works well

mounting in a case is very easy I bought the mounting plate about £3

and nice to use mach 4 if i decide to go back that way

Thanks Andrew

andrewbishop66 wrote:mounting in a case is very easy I bought the mounting plate about £3

There's a mounting plate?

Does anyone have a link to this mounting plate?