Well, better late than never?
I owe Rick at R&B Manufacturing an apology as I offered to review his lighted tilt meter many moons ago and got wrapped up in my personal duties. Please accept my apologies, Rick.
Anyway, I had a chance to put the meter on my BX2660 a few weeks ago. I have to say that in comparison to my last unlighted tilt meter on my old B7510, I find the lighted tilt meter a real neat (and better) addition. I, for one, like gadgets, and this one begs for attention from anyone taking a closer look at my BX. Although I haven稚 had a lot of night loader time, that痴 about to change with the winter snows coming. I also find that I now try to schedule some seat time after sunset just to check out the meter. I know it痴 crazy, but hey I like these gadgets. I値l update my review as I have more time to use the meter (in the dark).
This is not my first meter from Rick. After watching this board, I took several recommendations and installed one on my late B7500, and then moved it to my B7510. I have to say that a few times in the evening while working the loader on my past tractor, I did find that I glanced at my unlighted meter, but never really thought about what a lighted meter would be like, or even if I needed to find a way to improvise. It just wasn稚 on my radar screen. Well, if I bought a new one tomorrow and had the option, a lighted meter would be my choice.
This lighted meter is slightly larger than I thought I would have normally preferred, but I always considered the size of a meter with daytime use in mind. I had issues with smaller meters reading correctly a few years ago, and Rick was kind enough to upgrade me to a slightly larger meter back then. It could have been the bumpy terrain, or something I was doing, but in any case my problem went away with the larger meter. So, when I opened up the box to this lighted meter and saw that it was closer to the size of the last one on my later B7510, I gave no second thought to its size.
At night, the increase size makes it more legible when the backlighting is needed. So, I知 gladly accepting of the larger meter, and since my BX should follow me to the grave, I値l need a bigger meter as the eyes start to fail. I知 not sure if I prefer the white meter case that glows at night. I wonder what the meter would be like if cast in black and only the arched tube glowed with fluorescent indications. The white case isn稚 a distraction or a complaint. I just think a black case could be a consideration. IN any event, I think the tube is still fairly easy to read.
Since I have determined that I like to have a meter on my BX (and the lighted is a neat addition) I have plans this winter to change the temporary tape mount on the dash to one mounted firmly with a bracket on the loader valve, which may incorporate some sort of shield for protection. I also plan to install a separate waterproof switch for the power to the meter, which I may incorporate into a 12V cigarette-type plug for some other accessories, too. The bigger problem is that now I find the headlights on the BX aren稚 any good for nighttime loader work, so another project is in the making ROPS lights.
In any case, Good Job Rick, and R&B manufacturing! I値l post some photos as soon as I can my camera back from the shop.