frcn wrote:GreenBean wrote: Reading the Hottop display is actually more difficult than other displays because of the horrible light blue backlight to the display.
The "P" model has the difficult-to-read (for a camera) display. RosatLogger webcam input works a charm on the "B" models. Should do as wll for anyone still using the "D" model.
I agree with you, Randy. The post you have quoted is dated Aug 27th 2009 and was discussing the first tests of the first version of RoastLogger. The comment on the Hottop display was related to the Hottop P model only as this was the only Hottop I had available for tests at that time.
Soon after this comment was posted I wrote an entirely new OCR engine which worked much better with both the Hottop P and B roasters.
It is still true, as you have suggested, that the Hottop B model display is easier to set up for reliable OCR readings than the P display but it is perfectly possible to read either reliably once it is set up correctly. I roasted almost exclusively on my Hottop P for about a year using the OCR facilities without problems.
Setting up for OCR will always be more involved and finicky than using thermocouples and can only provide information on the stock thermocouple or RTD rather than a true BT and or ET reading. It does, however, provide a useful alternative to manually logging readings for users who are not able or do not wish to install thermocouples.