| AB2VM |
Rating:  |
2022-11-25 | |
| Unreliable, poorly designed, uses counterfeit MAX7219 |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Anyone considering buying one of these should consider the following:
- My kit failed after about 1 month: the display driver appears to have failed, it draws about 300mA and the LEDs show an unchanging dim pattern. The failed driver appears to have also damaged the MCU.
- The MAX7219 LED driver that came with my kit is counterfeit as confirmed by a response I received from Maxim Integrated customer support. For mine, the MAX7219 is labeled as "MAXIMI" instead of "MAXIM". A Heathkit GC-1006 kit build documented on YouTube in January 2020 also shows an apparently counterfeit MAX7219: that kit contained a MAX7219 where the end pins are half-pins whereas the Maxim datasheet specifies full-pins for all 24 pins.
- The schematic, board and manual are not revealed until after buying the kit. Looking at the schematic and board for this kit, and as an experienced electrical engineer, it is obvious to me that a non electrical engineer designed the circuit and pcb. The errors seen in the design would be obvious to any electrical engineer with circuit design experience.
- If your MCU gets damaged, such as by ESD, Heathkit requires you to send them the old MCU for a replacement with Heathkit custom firmware. If the MCU breaks after the warranty period, Heath Company also requires you to pay $40.00 for the replacement. Note a blank ATTINY84A-PU chip from Digi-Key only costs about $1.44.
- The MCU top marking is cover by an adhesive label and I did not remove it so I cannot say whether this part appears real or fake.
- Had I known prior to purchasing this kit that it uses a counterfeit MAX7219, I would not have made my purchase.
- Before it failed, the clock was not very accurate, in the span of 3 weeks, it lost 17 seconds.
- Given the counterfeit MAX7219 (confirmed) I would argue that this kit does not deserve to be called a "Most Reliable Clock" as Heath Company claims.
If you want a headache, frustration and the feeling you have wasted $129 on an unreliable clock that does not tell accurate time, buy this kit.
If you want to avoid feeling like you have been deceived and have wasted your money, steer clear of this one. |
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| K1OC |
Rating:      |
2021-12-13 | |
| Fun Kit, Attractive Station Clock, Keeps Adequate Time |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought and assembled a unit from the first production run, shortly after it became available. It was a fun and satisfying kit to put together. The total assembly time was the equivalent of a longish afternoon. The instructions were in classic Heathkit format and easy to follow. As with any first run, there were a few minor errors in the documentation, but nothing you couldn’t reason your way around. The result was an attractive digital clock that looks good on the shack shelf or nightstand. I use mine as a UTC reference in my shack. The display is large enough to be seen easily from several feet away and among all the other blinky things on the shelf.
I have read two kinds of complaints about this clock. One is the price, the other is its accuracy. A common complaint is that you can buy a digital alarm clock online or from a department store for less than $20. Sure, that is true, but Heathkits have always been pricey compared to their commercially available counterparts, whether we’re talking about clocks or transceivers.
We don’t buy Heathkits to save money. We buy them for the experience of putting them together and to say, “I built that,” when we’re done. The GC-1005, the predecessor to this clock, listed for $54.95 in December 1973. According to an online inflation calculator, that is equivalent to about $345 today. So $150 for the joy of assembling the GC-1006 and having it on your shelf isn’t too bad by comparison.
The clock maintains its time by reference to the AC line frequency. Therefore, the accuracy of the clock depends on the stability of your AC power. A poor design choice? Maybe, maybe not. Adding a satellite receiver, for example, would add cost and complexity to a kit some people already think is too expensive.
The clock’s accuracy also depends on setting the reference properly. The reference frequency can be set to 60 Hz, for users in the US, or to 50 Hz, for users in Europe and elsewhere. My clock gains or loses about a second or two a day, which is more than accurate enough for a desk clock. (I’m not using it for timing-sensitive functions like FT8.) If you’re gaining or losing more than 10 seconds a day, you either have really dirty power or you might check that the reference frequency is set properly.
My only complaint is the battery backup system. The clock runs on 9 volts AC (not DC; it needs AC for the reference frequency described above). It also uses six AA batteries to back up the clock’s memory in case of a power failure. It’s not enough to light the display, but you won’t have to reset the clock if the power is out for a few hours.
Two problems with that. One, the backup system must draw a lot of power, because it chews through batteries. I have to replace them (and there are six of them!) every time there is a power failure, and after a few months even if there hasn’t been one. Second, to replace the batteries, you have to open up the clock’s case, so it’s a real pain in the neck. The battery holder is not accessible from outside the case. There’s no battery compartment on the bottom, for example. And, of course, you have to reset the clock after you change the batteries.
To solve those problems, I installed a 12-VDC-to-9-VDC converter in place of the battery holder and wired it to my shack’s 12 VDC buss, which is backed up by a 135 AHr battery, giving me continuous power to the clock.
This is a great kit. It’s a good excuse to bring out the soldering iron, and let’s not understate the nostalgia value of once again assembling a Heathkit.
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|
| K3MD |
Rating:   |
2021-08-09 | |
| Does not keep good time |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Fun kit. Easy to get working. Nice battery backup. However, can lose or gain up to 10 seconds a day ..... does not qualify in the useful range. |
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| KV6Q |
Rating:    |
2020-07-25 | |
| Accuracy |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| High THD on the 60 Hz power can cause extra zero crossings occurring, fooling such devices into running fast. This is more common now with all the non-li ear loads we have. |
|
| K6CTA |
Rating:    |
2020-07-25 | |
| Reliably Inaccurate |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I like kits. I like clocks. And, I like Heathkits. So this kit hit all the right buttons. I’ve put together many Heathkits in past years, and this is a nice example of the classic Heathkit. It was fun to put together, and the completed kit looks nice. The manual is a perfect replica of the old Heath manuals, and the online updates are a nice, modern touch. There is enough to do when putting the kit together to make it an enjoyable project. I started on an afternoon and finished the following morning. However, it is not overly accurate. Mine can gain (or lose) 15-20 seconds per day. It’s not a consistent gain or loss - I never know which way it will be off. I just know that 24 hours from when I set (or reset) the clock it’s going to be off. Which is too bad - it is a nice looking addition to the shack. |
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| K7TXO |
Rating:      |
2020-05-16 | |
| HEATHKIT Time Machine |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
16 May 2020 -
The day before yesterday I received the GC-1006 I ordered. I opened the package yesterday morning, sorted the parts into egg cartons on my radio room \workbench and proceeded with the build. It was a rainy day and a good time to do this. Years of HEATHKIT kit building experience including building kits for store displays in a HEATHKIT store I worked at years ago. I can tell you that the new kit manual, parts and build experience were identical which means it was easy. And a total blast. I am 66 years old now by the way.
I started around 9 am. I took my time. Lunch for about 40 min with my wife. A trip to the grocery store. A few other breaks just because. I was not rushing this but I suppose my experience brought back the rhythm of checking parts and sorting most into egg carton compartments. And then proceeding step by step to build the kit, including reading ahead a couple of steps in case it had any relevance I might like to know in advance. And looking for notes on the pages, besides having already logged on to HEATHKIT as a kit owner to see a couple of minor update notes posted there.
The Internet provides an advantage over the old days. If you built kits from HEATHKIT in years gone by, you may have had a white sheet or two that was added into the kit-box with update notes. Or on rare occasions, we handed out last minute factory provided notes with a kit being sold where the customer might need the errata to complete the current packaged kit. Today we can see any late breaking notes that are not already in our printed manuals instantly - thanks to the Internet. Your personalized kit manual will guide you to logon to this resource. Smart thinking by today's HEATHKIT!
A previous reviewer mentioned using the self tapping screws to pre-thread the drilled holes in the wooden sides because he could not get the screws in until he did that. The current manual now includes this step. Following the instructions exactly as specified to go slow and to the depth specified to tap thread into the exquisite African Padauk hard wood. Then the 4-40 and 6-32 machine screws used during case assembly will thread perfectly.
I should add at this point that a few folks I read somewhere on the Internet boasted they could build a clock like this for a lot less money. Go for it guys. I can do that too. And likely most that attempt and complete will have spent more time to arrive at a result that looks home made at best. To achieve the level of product that HEATHKIT has done here requires a huge investment of time to create the manual. Let alone specify each and every electronic and mechanical component size/type/fitment, etc. Find and order sources of all the parts itself is a big task. And then there is the issue of determining dimensions of cabinet parts for them or someone to fabricate. Kit it all and support it? And more. I don't care that it is based on a very low cost processor that some can code in a similar fashion. This kit took a lot of effort, time and money to put together. And then to repeat bagging and boxing of all of these parts to get one of these sent out perfectly, this is quite a task in itself to QC check and ship. Well done, HEATHKIT!
We all know we can buy mass produced digital clocks at our local discount store or Internet source for a lot less. This is not any different than when my GC-1005 @ $59.95 was purchased over 30 years ago (37 I think) by my Dad. Mechanical flip and some digital clocks back then were also cheaper. And yet this 37-ish year old GC-1005 is still working every day. Kit building and lifetime of use cost more? I say the whole experience and cost has provided a huge return on investment.
I decided on the Green LED version and like another reviewer, I think it is easier on the eyes at night. It looks cool too. I built mine with the standard resistors for display brightness and to me it is perfect. The light sensor perfectly alters the brightness as day turns into dark.
I chose to use a provided 47 ohm resistor (see note page 52 in current 2.1-20200101 manual) instead of the default 10 ohm for the sounder volume and I left the paper cover on the sounder. This makes the alarm softer and lower volume and just fine for me. I am retired anyway so I rarely need to have an alarm yell at me. A very pleasant low warble.
As another reviewer noted, 24 or 12 hour setting. And for the ham shack, a nice touch to have a 10 minute QSO ID reminder if you chose to use it.
Get one. Take your time. Sort and check off your parts. Use a very good solder station (I use a WELLER WES51 w/fine tip) or at least a decent soldering iron per page 8 of the manual. Correct solder just like the old days is included in the kit by the way. Maybe build it in three sessions over three days or more if you like. why rush it, and maybe goof? It's fun but depending on your skills and previous experience, take your time to read and sometimes re-read before you fly forward and goof something up. Separate your parts at the beginning and pay attention to whether you picked up a 10,000 ohm or a 100 ohm resistor to install and solder. If you have to remove a part later, it puts a dent in the fun factor to undo and redo. I had zero issues with any part of the assembly process so it all went for me like clockwork. |
|
| WA2MZE |
Rating:      |
2019-10-06 | |
| Heathkit is back! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I just finished building the kit, and "installed" it on my night stand where it will replace an older Heathkit clock.
The manual was about as good as the old Heathkit manuals, though I did find a few rough edges. Heath should have suggested using the same self tapping screws that were used to thread the plastic brackets to pre-thread the holes in the wooden sides. I couldn't get the screws in until I did that.
The quality of the parts was high, and the completed clock looks beautiful. I got the Green LED version, I think that is easier on the eyes in the middle of the night.
The display is quite bright in daylight or with the room lights on, and quite dim in the dark (but still readable once your eyes become dark adjusted). The clock won't keep you up at night by being too bright! The alarm sound is just about perfect, not a 'hound from hell' Banshee screem, but a soothing warble that is loud enough to wake you without giving a 'heart attack'.
You can use the clock in the shack too, it has both a 24 hour mode, and a ten minute timer function.
Adjusted for inflation, the clock costs about as much as their previous clock kit did back in the 1980's. It's also a bit smaller and looks great on my night stand.
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|
| KD0ZV |
Rating:     |
2018-04-12 | |
| Blast back in time |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
This is an updated review after having it for a couple months.
I love building kits and was happy to see that someone revived the Heathkit name. They don't have many products at this time but having a 24 hour clock for the shack was something I could use.
I opened the box to find another high quality box inside. It was quite a presentation and I felt like I had went back to the 60s. Super nice spiral bound manual that reminds you of something you would get with a HW-101 back in the day. All the parts packaged in groups.
I had one small issue with setting the time which I was able to resolve online with their support. Even on a Sunday. A++ support.
The manual was designed for someone with no electronic experience and went into great detail. It comes with all the schematics and X-ray circuit board views for the boards.
The clock seems to work well and does 24 hour time and has a 10 minute timer for ID.
The downside is that the clock relies on the AC power 60hz to keep accurate time. My clock would lose/gain about 15 seconds each day but always come back to where it was. So it never lost any more than that.
As I mentioned above, Heathkits support was amazing and they went all out to help me resolve it but in the end said it was the quality of the power delivered to my house causing the problem or some "noisy" device or appliance in my house. There was no way I was going to start shutting things off in the house for 6 hours at a time to troubleshoot so decided to call it good enough. In the end I found a setting where the time error is centered and it will gain about 7 seconds and lose about 7 seconds over a day but as I said always stays in that range. I built a second clock and ran it in 12 hour time as the first was 24 hour UTC. Both clocks stay in sync with each other and speed up and slow down at the same rate.
Not sure Heathkits design to sync off the 60hz is the best.
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