The package includes detailed instructions for installation but they are inside the cardboard backing you see in the first picture as I found by accident as I was fumbling around looking for them elsewhere in the package. The small parts are in a small plastic zip-lock bag rather than a stapled one. Good idea as it eliminates another part to throw away (or to cut yourself on as I’ve done several times with staples).
Installation took a total of about one hour and was quite simple because of the detailed instructions. I only experienced one problem and that was because of my error. I didn’t drill the hole in the router lift plate as deep as instructed. I didn’t notice this error until I tried to fasten the depth gauge to the router lift plate. And once I had threaded the hole with the self tapping screws provided drilling deeper would ruin the threads. So I made a washer to remove the space created by the too shallow hole. You can see that in the (picture 2).
I temporarily fastened to readout to the 520 rail with a clamp (picture 3)to test the system because I haven’t yet decided the best way (for me) to mount the readout permanently. This temporary mounting was OK for testing but showed me I want to change the angle when making final installation. As configured the readout was difficult to see because the top edge of the window cut off the very top of the numbers. A “7” could easily be mistaken for a “1”. That’s not a fault in manufacturing in my opinion. If you were to mount the readout higher off the floor I think this problem would be easily eliminated. As shown in (picture 4) the reading is easy to read when viewed head-on.
To use the device you insert a bit in the router and raise the bit until it “just” touches the material you will be cutting. Then press the “On/Off” button followed but the “Zero” button. From there everything is straightforward and returning to zero is a snap. Initial test cuts were quite satisfactory and were within 0.003”+/- 0.001” of the dialed in depth of cut when checked with a digital caliper. I noticed the readout changed as much as 0.004” between the number I set and the number displayed at the end of the cut. But I think that is a result of backlash in the lead screw that adjusts the router height. I’ll have to check more closely tomorrow. Perhaps I set the height arriving at the setting from above rather than approaching it from below. If so, that could have allowed the lead screw “creep” down (toward the floor) that I experienced during the cut.
Overall, I give this addition to my router lift an outstanding rating. Easy to install, easy to use and I believe it will not only improve my woodworking but also save me time in setups. I’ll wait and see how durable it is as I use it over the next few months (and hopefully years). I’ll also see if sawdust goobers up the works since it is below the table and that’s where most of the dust gets collected. It doesn’t appear this will be a problem based on a visual inspection but you never know. I’ve found sawdust in some places where I would have sworn there was no way it could enter.
This post is also in the Community area. I forgot reviews go here instead.
Age related memory loss I sometimes think. 
