Preston HU III software upgrades and hardware issues related to wireless zoom control and moisture damage

Gear

ZephyrCan I fly my Alexa or RED on a Zephyr?389

Master SeriesIs a used Master Series rig worth buying as a first big rig?191

BFDHow do I power my BFD receiver from my camera or sled?186

VoltCan I retrofit a Volt onto my existing sled or gimbal?168

ArtemisHow do I power my camera and accessories from an Artemis sled?166

MDRWhere can I mount my Preston MDR on my rig?143

ModulusIs there a Modulus option for HD wireless video?141

G-70Will my G-70 fit my vest, gimbal or sled?126

FI+ZCan I control iris and zoom wirelessly, not just focus?60

HU3Where can I get my HU3 repaired, refurbished or repainted?60

CineLiveHow do I pack and case my CineLive rig for transport?54

G-70XHow does the G-70X compare to Pro Titan, Xarm and other arms?46

Trinity 2Is Trinity 2 SUP 3.0 firmware safe to install or buggy?46

Ultra VestWhich vest should I choose for my body size, comfort and operator type?39

2007Follow Focus forum

19 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

Version 1.13 software for the HU III addresses stability issues and potential problems with zoom channel communication.
Slow zoom movements can become steppy or jittery, and wireless zoom modules may lose communication with the MDR causing sudden unwanted zoom adjustments during filming.
Handmade Ultra Speed and Super Speed lenses from one manufacturer may have alignment issues with follow focus systems while Zeiss lenses work without problems.
Wireless zoom module communication range with the MDR improved after service and firmware updates.
An in-shop firmware upgrade addresses moisture damage issues, particularly when transitioning between cold outdoor shooting and warm indoor environments causing display failure.
MDR-2 firmware can be updated via home computer using a serial cable and software downloaded from the manufacturer's website.
The MDR firmware update may be independent of HU III upgrades, with older MDR units potentially requiring updates to work with newer zoom control products.

Reports are anecdotal and based on individual user experiences from around 2007.
It is unclear whether all zoom issues were resolved in the 1.13 version or if they persist.
The specific cause of communication dropouts was never definitively confirmed.
Some users had issues that may have been related to older MDR hardware rather than the HU III itself.
One user's lens alignment complaint appears specific to handmade lens construction rather than a general system problem.