More GC2 questions

[bubbtubbs]

I just purchased a bargain GC2 on eBay from 2nd swing as a replacement while I sort out the one that stopped working. My previous unit was on the newer side and came from a club pro friend so I didn't really have to bother with checking it out and there's an awful lot of information for these things, probably because of how long they've been around for. No idea what to look for when the replacement arrives and just wondering if any of you could reduce my forum sifting.

I don't have a serial number yet, so uncertain of age or Bluetooth compatibility, though I'll never use it without USB. Are there any hardware upgrades I need to be aware of to use the aftermarket replacement flash modules when the time comes? What about firmware updates to perform/avoid?

Are the flash units refurbish-able with replacement lamps? (I have an electronics background and also my Canadian fire alarm and journeyman electrical licenses)

Any preventative maintenance checks to do? Caps, resistors, etc?

Appreciate any tips you can offer and thanks in advance.

Edit: typos

[mthunt]

I just purchased a bargain GC2 on eBay from 2nd swing as a replacement while I sort out the one that stopped working. My previous unit was on the newer side and came from a club pro friend so I didn't really have to bother with checking it out and there's an awful lot of information for these things, probably because of how long they've been around for. No idea what to look for when the replacement arrives and just wondering if any of you could reduce my forum sifting.

I don't have a serial number yet, so uncertain of age or Bluetooth compatibility, though I'll never use it without USB. Are there any hardware upgrades I need to be aware of to use the aftermarket replacement flash modules when the time comes? What about firmware updates to perform/avoid?

Are the flash units refurbish-able with replacement lamps? (I have an electronics background and also my Canadian fire alarm and journeyman electrical licenses)

Any preventative maintenance checks to do? Caps, resistors, etc?

Appreciate any tips you can offer and thanks in advance.

Edit: typos

Flash can be refurbed or replaced. There is also someone selling what you need here. The only things you need to worry about is cleaning the camera screens and letting the battery die once a month.

[bubbtubbs]

I bought a second one for 743 yesterday. I might have a problem.

[mthunt]

Did you get these already at those low prices? Do they work?

[bubbtubbs]

Neither has arrived yet. I'll let you know once they get here though.

[bubbtubbs]

First unit finally arrived. I tested it against Mevo+ with a 50° wedge and everything checked out perfectly.

Higher spin on the GC2 across the board, though I trust it more as the Mevo+ had a few shots that were under 6000rpm when the GC2 was reading closer to 8000 for the thinner shots.

IR cover is cracked and there's a small crack in the case along the one edge, but other than those (and a LOT of caked on dust) it's working well. Even runs off battery.

Has had flash upgrade but no Bluetooth (reads as needs service on startup). 6XXX serial number so not ancient but pretty old.

Seems to mostly need a good cleaning, especially between the screen cover and screen where there's a fair amount of dust and some turf fibres.

I think 7.0 is generous but maybe in being too picky. Will test the USB connection later today.

[bubbtubbs]

mthunt update: I disassembled the upper portion, cleaned, checked solder connections, reassembled unit and fixed the glass lens. The flash unit is a super flash and it looks as though Foresight did it because the high voltage warning sticker was still intact.

Haven't done the lower assembly to clean the interior of the screen yet.

Bluetooth and USB now both work - uncertain if it was the Bluetooth ribbon cable not seated properly or if cleaning the contacts with IPA did it but I'll take the win. Battery is also still going strong on one charge after 7 hours of use with screen backlighting on. What a steal! Second unit arrives this weekend.

[mthunt]

Sounds like you got a good deal.

[Kygolfs]

Hi bubbtubbs how are your units performing? Did the second one work also? I just opened mine up and everything looked clean and fine but I'm throwing an error 0 code and 30sec shutdown. Any clue what it could be?

[andygg1986]

That error means the ribbon cable that runs between the camera board and the CPU board is loose. It sits on the right side about half way up. Unplug the battery before touching the cable. The top half of it goes into a connector with two black tabs that both need to be pushed in all the way at the same time. The bottom half has a pivoting latch that sits closer to the cable when you plug it in, then push it away from the cable to lock it in place. Make sure both ends are sitting squarely (not angled) in their connectors.

When you go to put the cover back onto the GC2, make sure it is lined up correctly. There is a small circuit board sticking up at the top of the metal frame, and the cover can catch on that if you are not careful.

[Kygolfs]

My fkn dude, that worked and were in business. The cable was loose, popped it back in like you described and bam, gc2 splash screen. Really appreciate you sir, you're a great asset in this community.

[RPLGolf]

Argh! My GC2 just konked out. Although I haven't been the best with it... It needed a battery replacement so it was running plugged in all the time. I should have been unplugging it but haven't been. So it was working and reading shots during the short session, then BAM it's off. When I unplug the cord from the unit, the light at the end is brightly lit green. When I plug it back into the GC2, the light goes really dim and has a faint constant flicker. Any ideas on this andygg1986?

[andygg1986]

Probably a shorted capacitor on the input power line on the CPU board. It can be a pain to try and find them though. The capacitors will be the light tan little rectangular components on the circuit board. You can confirm by measuring the resistance across them. If any of them measure less than 10 ohms, then that is your problem. Start by looking closely for any that are cracked and remove them first. If none are visually different though, then you have to go and remove them one at a time, measure for a short, and then replace it if it is good.

[RPLGolf]

andygg1986 can you PM me?