MicroSet Precision Clock and Watch Timer
Update Notice - February 2000
Owners of early versions of the MicroSet Precision Clock and Watch Timer may be able to upgrade their timer to improved features by simply changing the program chip. If the revision date of your timer is earlier than February of 2000, your timer does not contain the most recent changes. To see the revision date of your timer, hold down the PLUS button when you turn it on. This page lists the improvements in the February 2000 update. If your timer is very old, you may not even have the COUNT and STRIKE modes which were added in early 1998.
To read about the Count Mode, click here.
To read about the Strike Mode, click here.

Firmware update
This update supports the following improvements:

  • It will measure hundredths of a Beat Per Hour. (MicroSet was previously limited to whole numbers.) By adding two decimal places, the BPH mode becomes 100 times more accurate.
  • I have added a polarity sign to the Balance Mode. When using the Balance Mode to put a clock in beat, the numbers shown will now include a plus or minus sign to indicate which half of the swing is longer. If you're careful to start the measurements with the pendulum on the same side every time, the polarity sign will help you see when you've over-adjusted the beat.
  • I have added a 10's place to Seconds Per Beat display mode. MicroSet will now measure beats as slow as 99.999999 seconds. This will allow it to read Atmos clocks and 30-second electromagnetic impulse clocks with the full precision of microseconds. Atmos clocks will now read "30.000000" Seconds Per Beat rather than ".500000" Minutes Per Beat.
  • It will rate watches as fast as 36,000 BPH. MicroSet was previously limited to 22,000 BPH.
  • The COUNT mode will now count up to 9,999,999. (Previously, a 10-hour measurement with the Beat Counter Gate would overflow the display and cause confusion.) Now, the full count value will be seen.


All of these new features are available as an integrated circuit which you can plug into your MicroSet timer. You will need to remove the back from your timer, unplug the old chip, and plug in the new chip. Complete instructions are provided, and anyone who works on clocks will have no trouble! The update chip costs $25.

Book of train times
Jeff Hamilton, a clockmaker in Tallahassee Florida, and I have collaborated on the production of a 41 page booklet of rate information for many modern and historic clocks. Also included are instructions for counting trains, estimating pendulum length, and converting BPH errors to seconds per day. The clock rates are listed in both Beats Per Hour and Seconds Per Beat.
New keypad and LCD window
You may find that the keypads on older timers have become scuffed or worn. This is merely a cosmetic issue. However, I have found a source for more durable keypads, and I can replace yours if you would like. You will need to send the timer to us for this service, and at the same time I can check your calibration.
Fabric carrying bag
I have found a source for a padded fabric carrying bag for MicroSet. It's a perfect fit, and has a pocket for the sensors too. You may find this especially useful if you take MicroSet on house calls and want to protect it.
Computer Interface
You might also want to take this opportunity to add the computer interface to your timer. The computer interface allows you to capture a rate history of your clocks over many minutes, hours, or days, and displays this information on the screen of a personal computer. This allows you to see the behavior of your clocks in much greater detail. The program will also display clock rates as error in seconds per day for any movement.
If you have any questions about these upgrade options please give us a call or send an email.
Pricing
  • MicroSet update chip ..... $25
  • Book of train times ..... $7
  • New keypad and window cover ..... $25
  • Fabric bag for timer ..... $12
  • MicroSet computer interface version 2 (Windows 95 to Vista) ..... $125

Note: You must tell us what the revision date of your current timer is to get the update. To get this number, hold down the PLUS button when you turn on the timer. Write down exactly what you see on the LCD screen, including all numbers and letters.

To place an order on-line, CLICK HERE.