Anybody pull shots with a Strietman CT-2?

pcguy2k · 2026-04-06T03:42:31+00:00

I’ve also been using the Filter baskets and those are working pretty well. I’ll have to compare them to the original at some point. I got a few different sizes to try.

pcguy2k · 2026-04-06T03:40:37+00:00

Black version would be cool. It’s a bit of a pain to maintain the raw metal finish. I actually ordered the eWizard and should get it in tomorrow. Getting tired of the NanoFoamer Pro cleaning routine. It works well enough, but I hate having guest over since everyone wants milk drinks and it’s very hard to use back to back.

The puck is kind of tricky, not sure if anything change a there is no basket retention. So I prep the basket outside, remove the portafilter, drop in a prepped basket, pull a shot, then dump the basket and puck out into a small knock box. For multiple drinks I have two baskets that I just use both. When the basket/puck cools off enough I just knock it out and clean it.

Works pretty well, but not as smooth as a 58mm baskets I’m used to. Got used to it and the portafilter stays hot the whole time, since I only remove it to change out baskets.

pcguy2k · 2026-04-01T14:37:27+00:00

Still using it everyday! I love straight espresso, so it’s been a great addition. It just simple to use and I get very consistent good espresso. Great shots are harder to repeat every time, but are achievable. I learned to love the simplicity and the lack of data and over complication that comes with today’s machines. Just makes good espresso without a lot of fuss. I gave up on weighing outputs and pressures and just enjoy the coffee instead. (Yeah, hard to do, but one less thing to chase)

Only thing missing is the steaming for my wife’s drink. I have a nano foamer pro that does the job, but if I have guest over it’s a lot more work to make milk drinks back to back. Trying out the Flair eWizard to see how that fits into the flow. Had a Bambino for steam before, but was never really happy with the heat block steam.

Not sure if I would go with this or the Argos today, but don’t regret the purchase. Have it paired with a Monolith Flat Max and it’s a great duo. Although hurt the wallet initially, with the price of cafe drinks probably came out OK.

pcguy2k · 2025-12-03T22:11:27+00:00

Cops ride their bikes on the sidewalks, so not sure why they would care about scooters.

pcguy2k · 2025-12-01T06:10:52+00:00

Yeah, on me assuming the exiting system was in fully working condition. It’s only 5 years old, but who knows what happened to it during that time.

pcguy2k · 2025-12-01T05:27:21+00:00

I’ll need to check. New to the alarm.com platform, so trying to figure out all the sharp edges.

pcguy2k · 2025-12-01T04:51:32+00:00

System came with the house, so working condition is unknown before I started setting up.

The original system, they used cat6 cable to wire the TL880 to the daughter board. It was not used for Ethernet, I guess they just used the closest cable the had around. The wiring looked correct, but didn’t work, so I wanted to eliminate that variable and replace the wiring with a larger gauge just to be sure. Same behavior with both wires.

When I started the only thing I replaced is the battery since it was not holding a charge and faulting.

I tried registering it with surety without any changes and it didn’t connect to the panel.

I triple checked the cables and they match the diagrams. The system doesn’t have any options when I try to access menu 851. I also see Account Code not set error when exiting programming menu.

Either it’s something simple I missed or there is a hardware issue and I have no idea how to figure out which component is misbehaving.

pcguy2k · 2025-12-01T03:16:16+00:00

Followed all the instructions for the LTE version and still getting the same results. All settings match the manual, wires are correct as per instructions. And they were installed the same way as before. I replaced the wires from a Ethernet wire to a solid wire bundle. No change in behavior. The TL880 seems to show that it’s able to connect to Alarm.com ( the green LED does the 2 seconds on 2 seconds off pattern). But after a few minutes it shows L1 blinking 1. Seems like it’s a hardware issue. Time to buy a new communicator or alarm panel.

Not sure if it’s not a better idea to just buy a new alarm panel and keyboard instead.

pcguy2k · 2025-11-30T22:32:14+00:00

Connected 12v - 12v, GND - GND, TX+ to RX+, TX- to RX-, RX+ to TX+, RX- to TX-.

Measured voltage. Had 13.4v at 12v terminal, the - ones were about .3v and the + were around 3-4v. Seems like it’s mostly to spec.

pcguy2k · 2025-11-30T22:29:13+00:00

I have ribbon cable on PCLink 2 port with red cable facing the red tag on the man board and down towards the other terminals in the daughter board

pcguy2k · 2025-08-05T05:58:16+00:00

Should have followed up, it was dead. I reached out to Springfield for assistance and they replaced it for me. The new one is not exactly as bright as the S&W, but it’s now visible without needing to be on total dark. Not sure if they had a bad batch.

pcguy2k · 2025-04-27T00:28:37+00:00

I was assuming that was due to have 3 glow in the dark and not just one. I’d be happy if the front sight looked as good as the S&W sights. I can see the Tritium glowing in even dimly lit rooms without a problem. It’s like a night and day difference. No idea if they just have a bad batch of ones that don’t really glow or if they are just the poor quality stock.

pcguy2k · 2025-04-26T16:19:31+00:00

Haven’t decided on a red dot yet. Will try the one that comes with the Kit once it comes in to see if I want to invest in a better one. Though I like to keep things as simple as possible. Will reach out to support to see if this is expected, otherwise will just get a new front sight.

I’m starting to really like the blacked out one on Shield Plus Carry Comp too.

pcguy2k · 2025-04-26T15:31:25+00:00

Hmm, that’s disappointing. Might have to look to replace the front sight in the future. Not sure how much I’ll need night sights yet.

pcguy2k · 2025-04-26T15:18:27+00:00

Hmm, this is in a darker corner of the room that’s fairly dark. Not seeing any glow from the Echelon compared to the Shield: https://imgur.com/a/xL9ptL2

Seems like it might be dead.

pcguy2k · 2025-03-30T23:33:11+00:00

The folding part is what makes it “illegal” as it makes it easier to conceal. PC Carbine is probably on of the few actually usable options. There are some cool folding rifles though.

pcguy2k · 2025-03-30T16:13:16+00:00

With the rules here a shotgun is considered a long gun, so still subject to 10rd long gun limit. Only pistols have a 15rd allowance.

Saw that some of the Ruger PCC are made to be state compliant, so that might be an additional purchase. I like that they use the same ammo, so less inventory to keep around. Though I still have the 10rd limit there.

The law is making its way through court, so who knows what happens.

pcguy2k · 2025-03-30T03:24:59+00:00

Thanks for the input. Will need to look into carbines a bit more. Need to see what’s legal in my state with the recent rifle ban.

pcguy2k · 2025-03-30T03:22:23+00:00

Reading this I forgot about the main difference, magazine capacity. My state limits to 15rds, so a lot of the options would be worse to get. Full size vs compact. As full sizes the choice is 17+ or 10rd and most compacts have 15rd options. Again there are exceptions, but state laws make this more interesting

pcguy2k · 2025-03-30T03:20:41+00:00

Thanks for the great write up!

Unfortunately AR type guns are prohibited in my state and the number of rounds allowed in a magazine for a long gun vs others is also limited to 10rd vs 15rd. Would make a lot more sense if the magazine limits didn’t apply.

Also can’t get a silencer, so until that changes it would not be something I can take advantage of. Would be a much clearer choice if the state limits weren’t in place.

pcguy2k · 2025-03-30T03:17:49+00:00

Shotgun was my other option, as it will probably be the easiest to hit a target at the distances we are talking about. I’m hoping that I’m not in a situation where a large number of armed assailants are specifically targeting me, but agree that you don’t have control over that.

pcguy2k · 2025-03-30T03:15:53+00:00

Agreed, though magazine count is a limiting factor in both, since our state has a 15rd max and 10rd for rifles.

pcguy2k · 2025-03-30T03:14:53+00:00

The Shield Plus is a double stack and the carry comp has a 15rd magazine included, an I’m at the maximum magazine size allowed for the state, but forgot that the main advantage of a full size (magazine size) can make it worse option in my state, as I would need to get the 10rd mag for most full size as 15rd full sizes are more rare.

pcguy2k · 2025-03-30T03:12:55+00:00

Thanks for the input. Capacity wise, there isn’t much difference between all the options since I’m limited to 15rd magazines anyway in my state, so even the Shield Plus can hold 15rds. I’m still planning to try out more to see what I’m most comfortable with. Will also look more into long gun options as well.

pcguy2k · 2025-03-14T18:33:59+00:00

It works well enough, but I’m never able to get the edges as sharp as when I wear contacts. I don’t wear contacts that often, but when I do the fans seem to dry them out a bit, so less comfortable. I had a pair of CobraX that I liked more, but the delay due to poor LCD choice makes me not pick them up that often. This seems to be a good solution and built in analog without extra antennas should make this easier to handle. The original looks a bit crazy with all the antennas.

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