Makita motorized rod confusion

philipking · 09-30-07, 01:48 PM

Hi All,

Experienced users of Makita motorized rods, I need some clarification:

I am looking at the 18 ft single rod system http://www.smarthome.com/3152.html

I need to find out if this is strictly a one way opening for one single curtain, or if it can be used for a center opening for one pair of curtains. I need the center opening configuration but the info is unclear as to whether it can be done. I went to the Makita website but found only power tools.

I tried the on-line chat at smarthome and the guy said it will only accommodate one way opening of a single curtain. He then referred me to another Makita model that would provide center opening but this thing had 2 motors and 2 rods. Two rods for a single pair of curtains just doesn't make sense, to me.

Can anyone please clarify?

My HT is not high end so I am trying to shop around for a motorized rod, without going too far down in quility. In the meantime I have sent an e-mail to BTX for a price on their product.

Thanx, Philip

philipking · 10-01-07, 06:20 PM

Hi again All,

Never mind. I now have a BTX on order. The info is clear that this unit is 1 motor, 1 rod, and can be configured for center opening.

Cheers,
Philip

Deane Johnson · 10-01-07, 09:14 PM

You'll love the BTX. For one thing, it moves at 6" per second as opposed to 12" per second for the Makita. My personal opinion is that 12" is too fast for theater curtains. It is not dramatic enough. I'll emphasize that's a personal opinion, lots of folks have the Makita and are happy with it.

The BTX is super reliable. You'll never look back.

philipking · 10-02-07, 06:23 PM

Thanx for your reply, Dean. I feel more confident now. Yes, it comes with a 10 speed motor, which is a bonus.

It sure is difficult to get the manufacurers (more than one) to reply to a DIY individual. E-mails and phone calls go un-returned. Just my personal rant - it appears they only want to deal with high volume steady customers such as distributors or installers. I have no intent to bypass the retailer, but when the only way I could do this is DIY due to cost, and you can't get a straight answer to a critical question, what other options are there?

I'm always a little hesitant to order an expensive item without the confidence that it is exactly what I need, especially being a noob in motorized curtains. Anyways Dean, thanx again for your reply, I appreciate the benefit of your knowledge and experience.

Live Long & Prosper,
Philip

Deane Johnson · 10-02-07, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philipking

Thanx for your reply, Dean. I feel more confident now. Yes, it comes with a 10 speed motor, which is a bonus.
Live Long & Prosper,
Philip

When you said BTX, I automatically assumed the 5060. The 10 speed motor would indicate you purchased the BTX MotorDrape. It's not actually made by BTX, but rather is rebadged by them. I don't know who actually makes it.

We have installed several of these and they work well. Have never had a service call back on one. They are about the quietest on the market. Very smooth.

Negative is primarily that they don't have a programmable stop, but rather stop when they come to the end of travel. This approach works well, but you don't have the option of stopping short of completely open unless you push the button.

The area of caution comes in the assembly. A pain in the butt. Have some strong glasses to be able to see some very fine print in the instructions. Go very slow and carefully, read and understand everything before you make a move. The cable can fly willy-nilly when you undo the packaging making getting it straightened out a nightmare. If you're not good with mechanics and logic, get some help. The good news is that once you get it all done, it's a nice, smooth, quiet rod that works every time.

philipking · 10-02-07, 11:26 PM

Hi Deane,

Yes, it's the Motordrape. I checked on the 5060 and found it can operate 280 lbs of curtain, which for me would be overkill. I have my 100 inch screen mounted fairly high with the A/V cabinet and center channel below it. Accordingly, the curtains are 12 ft wide but only a little over 3 ft long. Actually, it doesn't look too bad IMO.

The main purpose in adding the curtains is to keep the screen "out of your face" when not in use, as my basement also contains a bar and I find guests tend to stare at the blank screen. I dunno, maybe it has a hypnotising effect like a fireplace or an aquarium of fish lol. Also I listen to 2 channel music frequently so I prefer to keep the screen covered.

Appreciate and will heed the assembly tips. I am recently retired so I do indeed have lots of time to tread very carefully. Not too thrilled about mechanical things but I have huge quantities of patience when it comes to the magic of electronics and especially acoustics experimentation. Upper management (wife) is surprised I haven't worn out my audio analyser equipment. Ha! from what you are saying, it looks like I'm going to have a "cussin good time" lol.

Deane, you are a real gentleman and a huge benefit to noobs like me. I'm going to need all the advice I can get and you are the man!! Don't stray too far from this board.

Best Regards,
Philip

Deane Johnson · 10-03-07, 08:28 PM

Philip:

Just thought of one more assembly tip. When you cut the rod to length, be sure to take an equal amount of both halves so that the splice is in the center of the rod. Otherwise, you'll have a clunk sound when the carrier passes over the splice.

philipking · 10-03-07, 08:37 PM

Hi Deane,

Thanx for the center cutting tip, Deane. Oh yes, just one question...... can the open and close commands be transferred to a learning remote? I have the Harmony 880 and it already replaces 5 remotes and a flashlight but I'm not sure if I can get my motorized curtain on it too.

Thanx,
Philip

Deane Johnson · 10-04-07, 11:50 AM

I'm pretty sure they are just normal IR commands that you can transfer to a learning remote. There are a number of available control functions for the rod including switch control. That may even be included in your control module, I'm not sure. You can also use RS232 with the right accessory module. We put one in a high end dealer's demo room and he runs it with a Crestron system, using RS232.

BTX put this rod in their line so dealers had something to compete with lower cost rods like the Makita. While the Makita is a good quality rod, the Motordrape has more control flexibility IMO.

09-30-07, 01:48 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
philipking New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hamilton ON Posts: 13	Makita motorized rod confusion Hi All, Experienced users of Makita motorized rods, I need some clarification: I am looking at the 18 ft single rod system http://www.smarthome.com/3152.html I need to find out if this is strictly a one way opening for one single curtain, or if it can be used for a center opening for one pair of curtains. I need the center opening configuration but the info is unclear as to whether it can be done. I went to the Makita website but found only power tools. I tried the on-line chat at smarthome and the guy said it will only accommodate one way opening of a single curtain. He then referred me to another Makita model that would provide center opening but this thing had 2 motors and 2 rods. Two rods for a single pair of curtains just doesn't make sense, to me. Can anyone please clarify? My HT is not high end so I am trying to shop around for a motorized rod, without going too far down in quility. In the meantime I have sent an e-mail to BTX for a price on their product. Thanx, Philip

10-01-07, 06:20 PM	#2 \| Link
philipking New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hamilton ON Posts: 13	Hi again All, Never mind. I now have a BTX on order. The info is clear that this unit is 1 motor, 1 rod, and can be configured for center opening. Cheers, Philip

10-01-07, 09:14 PM	#3 \| Link
Deane Johnson Advanced Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Omaha, NE USA Posts: 973	You'll love the BTX. For one thing, it moves at 6" per second as opposed to 12" per second for the Makita. My personal opinion is that 12" is too fast for theater curtains. It is not dramatic enough. I'll emphasize that's a personal opinion, lots of folks have the Makita and are happy with it. The BTX is super reliable. You'll never look back.

10-02-07, 06:23 PM	#4 \| Link
philipking New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hamilton ON Posts: 13	Thanx for your reply, Dean. I feel more confident now. Yes, it comes with a 10 speed motor, which is a bonus. It sure is difficult to get the manufacurers (more than one) to reply to a DIY individual. E-mails and phone calls go un-returned. Just my personal rant - it appears they only want to deal with high volume steady customers such as distributors or installers. I have no intent to bypass the retailer, but when the only way I could do this is DIY due to cost, and you can't get a straight answer to a critical question, what other options are there? I'm always a little hesitant to order an expensive item without the confidence that it is exactly what I need, especially being a noob in motorized curtains. Anyways Dean, thanx again for your reply, I appreciate the benefit of your knowledge and experience. Live Long & Prosper, Philip

10-02-07, 11:26 PM	#6 \| Link
philipking New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hamilton ON Posts: 13	Hi Deane, Yes, it's the Motordrape. I checked on the 5060 and found it can operate 280 lbs of curtain, which for me would be overkill. I have my 100 inch screen mounted fairly high with the A/V cabinet and center channel below it. Accordingly, the curtains are 12 ft wide but only a little over 3 ft long. Actually, it doesn't look too bad IMO. The main purpose in adding the curtains is to keep the screen "out of your face" when not in use, as my basement also contains a bar and I find guests tend to stare at the blank screen. I dunno, maybe it has a hypnotising effect like a fireplace or an aquarium of fish lol. Also I listen to 2 channel music frequently so I prefer to keep the screen covered. Appreciate and will heed the assembly tips. I am recently retired so I do indeed have lots of time to tread very carefully. Not too thrilled about mechanical things but I have huge quantities of patience when it comes to the magic of electronics and especially acoustics experimentation. Upper management (wife) is surprised I haven't worn out my audio analyser equipment. Ha! from what you are saying, it looks like I'm going to have a "cussin good time" lol. Deane, you are a real gentleman and a huge benefit to noobs like me. I'm going to need all the advice I can get and you are the man!! Don't stray too far from this board. Best Regards, Philip

10-03-07, 08:28 PM	#7 \| Link
Deane Johnson Advanced Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Omaha, NE USA Posts: 973	Philip: Just thought of one more assembly tip. When you cut the rod to length, be sure to take an equal amount of both halves so that the splice is in the center of the rod. Otherwise, you'll have a clunk sound when the carrier passes over the splice.

10-03-07, 08:37 PM	#8 \| Link
philipking New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hamilton ON Posts: 13	Hi Deane, Thanx for the center cutting tip, Deane. Oh yes, just one question...... can the open and close commands be transferred to a learning remote? I have the Harmony 880 and it already replaces 5 remotes and a flashlight but I'm not sure if I can get my motorized curtain on it too. Thanx, Philip

10-04-07, 11:50 AM	#9 \| Link
Deane Johnson Advanced Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Omaha, NE USA Posts: 973	I'm pretty sure they are just normal IR commands that you can transfer to a learning remote. There are a number of available control functions for the rod including switch control. That may even be included in your control module, I'm not sure. You can also use RS232 with the right accessory module. We put one in a high end dealer's demo room and he runs it with a Crestron system, using RS232. BTX put this rod in their line so dealers had something to compete with lower cost rods like the Makita. While the Makita is a good quality rod, the Motordrape has more control flexibility IMO.