I use the phidget as well... Definitely get 3 probes

Many thanks for your reply dynamited. V helpful.
Am i right in thinking that ET, BT and MET can be recorded with 3 identical probes, just placed in different areas? Or are they actually three different types of probe?
Anyone else have views on the Center 304Thermometer (Four input) thermometer versus Phidgets?
Thanks again,
A

If you request, it'll come with those 3 probes already installed.. I never used center but the phidget works really well.

AndrewW wrote:Many thanks for your reply dynamited. V helpful.
Am i right in thinking that ET, BT and MET can be recorded with 3 identical probes, just placed in different areas? Or are they actually three different types of probe?
Anyone else have views on the Center 304Thermometer (Four input) thermometer versus Phidgets?
Thanks again,
A

If you order it with 3 probes, just make sure that you specify it clearly in your communication and order. (If you go for two TCs you still have to say that you want them both as TCs and not an anlogue ET...) ... and yes, all TCs are identical.
I've got a Center 301 lying around as I got myself a Phidget. I only use the Phidget as it works flawlessly. The Center meters do what they should, but unless you do have some other use for it the Phidget is a better choice (IMO).

I'm very happy with the setup I ordered. The angled trier works just fine but I find myself using the site glass more often though. Angle piece works very well also, I don't have beans getting caught in the chute. After about 5 or 6 roasts I will tilt the machine to allow loose beans that get sucked into the exhaust tube to fall into the drum. It has never been more than about 6 or 8 beans for me, relatively minor issue. I have the perforated drum/slow motor and again I'm very happy with this configuration. I have been experimenting with closing the grate during the roast process, mostly at charge. I did order all 3 TC's and I also use the Phidgets. It has worked flawlessly so far. I did order the 72rpm motor as an extra, no idea why I did that. I would order the motor set next time. Good luck with your choices, you will love the machine.

Wayne

Thanks again for the feedback
Wondering if you need to tell Mr Li exactly where to instal the 3 probes? Any views on best positions?
Also, i don't think he sells Phidgets. Any suggestions on best (online) place to order it from?
Cheers
A

I see there's a website phidgets.com - maybe that's the best place.

Going to show my ignorance (again) here, but as someone who's never used a phidget or digital thermometer for roasting before, it seems the former simply connects the probes to a laptop where temperatures can be read, while the latter actually provides a reading on screen. Is that correct?

From reading several posts, it seems most users prefer to read the temperatures on a laptop, and therefore the thermometer is really only acting as a bridge between the probe and the laptop, making it sort of like an expensive phidget.

Hoping to order a Huky 500T next week, so trying to get my head around all this beforehand

HB is a good resource for things Huky related, this is also a very good (dedicated) resource for the Huky:

http://www.hukyforum.com/index.php

My Huky, received about six weeks ago, was configured about like Wayne1's as described above. Love the perforated drum. Initially wanted the solid but the perf allows more complexity IMO. It certainly is somewhat harder to learn to roast compared to a solid so I've been told but once you learn? My thoughts on that is you can close the grate on the perforated which makes it somewhat a quasi-solid by just manipulating the handle on the Huky.

I haunted the HukyForum and HB website for a year making choices, etc. This website has tremendous info on the Huky. The big thing was learning Artisan software and the Fidget. Costwise the Fidget(ordered directly from fidget.com) is $100 and each probe $16. If you order probes Mr Li will install them.
The end result of all this is hooking your computer in and enjoying breathtaking color graphs of the details of each roast.

Like you, never used a digital thermometer or phidget before but turns out great. Well, great in that you have generous folks like Wayne1 keeping you straight and informed.
Good luck!

genecounts wrote: Well, great in that you have generous folks like Wayne1 keeping you straight and informed.
Good luck!

I appreciate the shout out but there are people here that have far more knowledge than I when it comes to the Huky. Johnny, Ed and Susan have much more experience in using the Huky and are invaluable resources as well as many others who are too numerous to name.

Cheers