Pro3 issue in cold weather / low temperature20621
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leon6782 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| There was a previous thread on this, but that topic was archived, so I'm starting a new one... I was scanning with a relatively new Pro3 in upstate NY. Temperature was about 25ºF. For every spin, I was getting a horrible clicking noise from the rotating mechanism. At first, I didn't see much jutter/shake in the movement, so I continued as normal. As it got colder, the sound got louder, more consistent. I even started getting an error in app telling me the camera was unstable, directing me to make sure my tripod and mount was secure. It is, my tripod is rock solid. When I looked closer while the Pro3 was rotating, I could now see a bumpiness to the movement, along with the same horrible click. When reviewing the resulting scan, I see a weird black blurred arc in at least one spot of every 360º image. I'm guessing the jolted movement caused the images to not align properly. After reviewing the specs for the Pro3, it does say the operating temperature is 0-40ºC. If that's really the limit of this thing, that's just one more really disappointing aspect of the Pro3. Overall, other than the ability to scan in direct sunlight, the Pro3 has really fallen short of the price tag. Don't even get me started about the barrel connector on the charger, or the proprietary quick release mount, or the fact that the device rotates nowhere close to its center of gravity. Hoping MP support will be able to help here, but figured I'd reach out to this community as well, in case anyone has any guidance to offer. |
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US Building Survey, LLC Olathe, Kansas |
rhelling private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I don't have solutions, but I can confirm there are issues. I recently had our first rough experience in the mid 20's. I was trying to get several exterior scans on the backside of a retail property. It just wouldn't scan. It sat there and tried for a bit...then threw and error. I got it to work by heating the camera up inside...then running outside quick to scan. Repeating that for 5-6 scans. I read after someone attached a handwarmer to the underside that kept the battery/motor warm - that worked for them. I never tried that...but maybe it works?! |
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ron0987 private msg quote post Address this user | |
I don’t know maybe go to a retirement home ask them to knit a specialty stocking for your Pro3 on cold weather days. Just kidding I heard the hand warmer trick to but my concern would be causing issues with lube on the gears. Mike from Matterfix would have to address that. |
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 Matterport Camera Repair Service Gainesville, Florida |
MatterFix private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Yes, per the cameras data sheet, the minimum operating temperature of a Pro3 is 32 deg Fahrenheit. I have heard of people being able to operate them at lower temps, but that has not been typical. The hand warmer idea should work fine…put the hand warmer packs in the area of the battery and the HDrive (the motor that rotates the camera. Trying to operate at below freezing without any warming source could damage the HDrive. | ||
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leon6782 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| So, MP has offered to issue me an RMA and send me a refurb for this unit that was having issues in the cold. Not sure if it's related, but this unit was also intermittently having issues starting up, sometimes getting stuck on the red MP logo, and producing a "camera error" in app with no explanation. Anyway, probably a good question for @matterfix, but do you feel like swapping my unit for this refurb is the right move? It won't extend the warranty, so I'm just weary that issues are going to surface with the refurb just as easily and I'm still screwed because the warranty only has another month or so left. I guess I just don't know how high a standard MP holds to these refurb units. Any advice is greatly appreciated, as I'm just trying to be smart about my gear and not have $5k disappear on me. |
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Sdoughtie private msg quote post Address this user | |
| It's probably not recommended, but scanned in 14 deg F this week with a 1 deg F "feels like" with no issues (yet I'm guessing). But I can't make a living if I'm not scanning.... | ||
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leon6782 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @sdoughtie, nice! Gotta test out those real life limits. Glad yours was fine. I think that further helps confirm there has been something not quite right with the drive mechanism on mine from the start. |
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ron0987 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @leon6782 if you read my earlier story which is just like yours and second unit went out in about 6 months. I say poor design Mike from Matterfix thinks I am crazy. But we keep hearing these stories. I also base it on comparisons to similar products. I bought a used Faro scanner 5 years ago. This scanner new sold for $60,000 I bought for $15000. It was new in 2013 I bought it in 2020, Faro no longer supported this scanner. It now has 75,000 scans on the drive motor the 3/8 thread mounting screw has no issue to mount my tripod. So design wise big difference and two months ago when I ran a calibration scan it was only off about 1/16 of an inch at 20’. Not bad for a 10 year old machine that receives no further Faro support. So that is what I compare the Pro3 to. This was a product I felt confident enough to buy it out of warranty and out calibration because how well it was designed and built I have been using them since 2012. |
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