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Introduction:::...

Check out any of the many online PC stores and you're sure to find at least one brand of multifunction panel offered for sale. Some report temperatures, some control your fans, a few do both. One thing they almost all have in common is that they use LCD display technology.

Until recently there were only really a couple of cost-effective choices LCD displays, LCD or VFD. VFDs, or Vacuum-Fluorescent-Displays, offer better visibility and wide viewing angles, but they tend to get warm with prolonged use and tend to be a little on the large side. They also tend to be fairly limited in terms of what you can display on them unless you opt for the dot matrix variety which can then get pricey too.

LCD displays are great, but they have a limited viewing angle and slow switching speeds which can cause ghosting and make them look less sharp and defined. Surprisingly not all LCD displays are created equal, and the units used by the sponsors of today's review, Matrix Orbital, offered significantly better viewing angles and contrast than those you'll find on cheaper products. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for.

Today I want to look at a product that really does put the multifunction into the term multifunction panel, the Matrix Orbital mx610, part of Matrix Orbital's new 6 series display lineup.

Below the surface these units are identical to the MX2 series displays we looked at last year. What has changed is that Matrix Orbital have upgraded the LCD module and equipped this puppy with a very nice Polymeric LED display instead. I mean let's be honest, your multifunction display could be capable of giving you next week's lottery numbers but they're not much use if you can't see them. Better yet it would appear they're not going to hike up the price as a result.

The MX2 is still available complete with LCD display if you'd sooner take that route.

With ten year's experience behind them, MO (Matrix Orbital) are probably the most experienced manufacturers of this type of instrumentation around, and have supplied their products to the technology, defense, and aerospace industries. This plus their extensive after-sales care and their new, improved website must surely place them well ahead of the competition in this sector.

Much of the technical detail is unchanged from our look at the MX610's LCD cousin, the MX212, so I've imported large chunks of it straight across to save you the hassle.

Like we always do, let's get the specs covered first.

Included:

• PK204-24-USB Display

• 7-key Black PC Bay Insert (B202A-BK)
• 3ft USB cable
• Mounting screws
• Full copy of LCDC

Variations Available

	Product Name+	Price
	MX600	$109.95 USD
	MX610	$109.95 USD
	MX620	$109.95 USD
	MX630	$109.95 USD