[RE-wrenches] Outback Mate3

2012-10-20 Thread Howie Michaelson
Howdy folks, Having used, been abused by, and spending countless hours attempting to talk through clients over the phone through the elegant menu structure of the Outback Mate2 since it was first released, I'm very interested in hearing people's experience with the Mate 3 and whether it is worth

Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Mate3

2012-10-20 Thread Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems
I second Howies request. For several reasons, including the extreme difficulty in using the Mate, I have been steering customer away from Outback systems. The inverters are great and have been very reliable but they are not worth all the headaches and wasted time that the Mate has caused.

Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Mate3

2012-10-20 Thread Howie Michaelson
Thanks Daryl for the feedback. Have you or anyone else used the Mate3 on a VFX or GVFX, and is that an improvement over using the Mate2? Howie -- Howie Michaelson NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™ Catamount Solar, LLC Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service VT Solar Electric Hot Water

Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Mate3

2012-10-20 Thread Dave Palumbo
Howie, We have a couple of these out there now. They are good for techno geek types. But for regular people they are no easier than the Mate 2. David Palumbo Independent Power LLC 462 Solar Way Drive Hyde Park, VT 05655 www.independentpowerllc.com NABCEP Certified PV Installer Vermont Solar

Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Mate3

2012-10-20 Thread jay peltz
I use them, and have one at my house. The biggest issue I have with M2 is that people mess up getting to the reset of the AGS mode. With the M3 that is a separate button which is a big improvement. And that you can reprogram it via SD card is a big improvement. Try that with a XW! Overall

Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Mate3

2012-10-20 Thread William Miller
Howie: I second your frustration with complex menu structures. We have combatted that problem with concise, laminated instruction cards for fundamental operations (Inverter On/Off, Generator Remote Start, Equalization, etc). More critical is the location in the menu structure of the Charger

Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Mate3

2012-10-20 Thread penobscotsolar
Hi Howie, Having installed a half dozen Radians so far I have gotten comfortable fairly quickly with the Mate3. It is much more intuitive than the original Mate and uses a touch pad similar to an Ipod. I have had an issue a couple of times not being well grounded and the touch pad was a bit