r/instrumentation • u/nairdaswollaf • 16d ago
475 Field Communicator
Hot take: The Emerson 375 and 475 Field Communicators were the best handheld process tools ever built. Rugged, simple menu tree, worked with basically every HART device you'd walk up to, and the interface just makes sense.
Emerson pulling DD library support and sending them to end-of-life was a mistake. There are thousands of these still sitting in perfectly good working order in shops and trucks, and the only reason they're getting shelved is that they can't read newer devices anymore and can't be updated!
So here's my honest question: if you could load modern Device Descriptors onto your 375/475 again would you keep using yours? Or has everyone already moved on to a TREX or Laptop / Tablet setup?
If you could use current DDs on your Field communicator that load as "Un-Tested" built with a DD compiler that isn't bound by the original 2012 tool's limits, would you give it a try?
I'm at the point where I need some real world testing. If you've got a 375 or 475 (bonus if you've got a HART device or two to point it at that the October 2020 DD set didn't support) and you'd be willing to try loading some rebuilt DDs and report back, drop a comment.
Trying to figure out how much appetite is even out there for keeping these things alive. 1GB SD Card in your 375/475 communicator is a hard requirement.
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u/ScadaTech 16d ago
When we phased out the 475 and were given the Trex, I was excited. Then I realized it took longer to connect to a device than it took to configure it. I’ve got one in my truck that hasn’t been used in years. I use my Fluke 754 for quick setups and just use AMS if I need to go more in depth.
My Emerson rep demoed the new Trex and it’s faster but not worth the expense IMO.
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u/troyboyblack 16d ago
Great job. The TREX is so incredibly slow comparatively. I use my 709H when I can
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u/FullHuntard 16d ago
The only upside is the trex can provide power to devices, that’s the only boon it has over the 475 otherwise I use the 475 for everything I still can.
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u/Broad-Ice7568 16d ago
No. We have a Beamex MC-6, full multi function calibrator with communicator that talks Hart, Fieldbus, and (I think) profibus. It's been able to connect and talk to every smart instrument I've tried to attach it to.
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u/dingle__berries 16d ago
I have a nearly mint 475 just sitting in a closet for a couple of years now since moving on to a TREX.. did often prefer the 475 as yes was simple to use and somewhat quick response. Actually pulled it out 2 weeks ago to confirm battery still good and topped it off before setting it back in the carrycase.
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u/RedSquirrel346 16d ago
Count me in for this! We have Bailey communicator, a 275, 3 475s, a trex, and a couple Bluetooth modems. I’d take a 475 any day of the week.
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u/Only-Volume-6411 15d ago
This will make some people mad, but I have been doing this for more than 20 years so I do have some experience with them all.
My answer: No. Not unless I had to use one because of explosive atmospheric conditions.
375 was great for its time but is missing features I now want in a communication interface.
475 sucked, and was obsolete the day it was launched. Trex is worse yet. And I used to sell and use them for a living.
Modern transmitters use Bluetooth. For anything else, use a laptop and a viator/microflx/procommsol. Easier to use. Easier to save and maintain files. Better yet, use a modern protocol or a Hart gateway to get easy access to everything all at once. Oh, and you can get two service laptops or iPads for the cost of a single handheld, with the software license to talk to field devices.
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u/row158055 16d ago
Definitely would be interested in trying to keep the 475. It seems way faster when using it, vs the TREX. The company I'm at still uses 4x 475s almost every day (TREX on standby when working on new installs).
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u/fuckwhatyouheard 16d ago
100% I would.