2.4.3 Display +/- in pitch tiles — showing direction arrows to avoid errors
Display +/- in pitch tiles — showing direction arrows to avoid errors
2.4.3 calibration
Even with sign conventions correctly configured in 2.4.1 and 2.4.2, a raw + or - symbol on a pitch tile can be easy to miss at a glance — especially under shop lighting or on a small screen. The Display +/- in Pitch Tiles setting adds a visible directional indicator to each pitch tile, making forward, reverse, right, and left pitch unmistakable without requiring the driller to interpret a sign.
🔍 What Are Pitch Tiles?
Pitch tiles are the individual display blocks within a spec sheet that show each pitch value — thumb forward/reverse, thumb lateral, and finger pitch. When this setting is enabled, each tile gains a directional arrow or symbol alongside the numeric value, giving the driller an immediate visual cue about pitch direction rather than relying on the + or - sign alone.
- ✅ Directional indicators are especially helpful for less experienced drillers who may not yet have sign conventions fully internalized.
- ✅ Useful in high-volume shops where spec sheets are read quickly under pressure.
- ✅ Reduces the risk of a misread sign causing a pitch to be drilled in the wrong direction.
- ❌ Experienced drillers who are fully comfortable with sign notation may prefer to leave this off for a cleaner spec sheet display.
Note: This is a display preference only — enabling or disabling it has no effect on the pitch values stored in spec sheets or transmitted to a tethered drill press. ⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm the exact visual form of the directional indicator — whether it is an arrow (e.g. ↑ ↓ ← →), a word label (e.g. "Forward," "Right"), or a combined symbol+label.
📋 How Pitch Tiles Appear With and Without This Setting
| Pitch Value | Display Off | Display On |
|---|---|---|
| Forward thumb pitch | +1/4" |
↑ +1/4" (Forward) |
| Reverse thumb pitch | -1/4" |
↓ -1/4" (Reverse) |
| Right lateral pitch | +1/8" |
→ +1/8" (Right) |
| Left lateral pitch | -1/8" |
← -1/8" (Left) |
| Zero pitch | 0 |
0 (no indicator needed) |
Note: The examples above illustrate the concept — the exact arrow style and label wording may differ in the app. ⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm the precise visual format and whether zero pitch tiles display any indicator at all.
🛠️ Enabling or Disabling Direction Indicators
⚙️ How This Setting Relates to 2.4.1 and 2.4.2
Settings 2.4.1, 2.4.2, and 2.4.3 form a complete pitch display configuration set. Each addresses a different layer of how pitch values are communicated to the driller:
| Setting | What It Controls | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4.1 — Right pitch as positive | Sign convention for lateral pitch | Matches press readout on the lateral axis |
| 2.4.2 — Forward thumb pitch as positive | Sign convention for forward/reverse pitch | Matches press readout on the forward/reverse axis |
| 2.4.3 — Display +/- in pitch tiles | Visual directional indicator on each tile | Makes direction unmistakable at a glance |
Configure all three together during initial shop setup for the most consistent and error-resistant pitch display experience.
📱 Mobile and Tablet Considerations
On smaller screens — particularly smartphones near the recommended 8" minimum — pitch tiles are more compact and individual characters can be harder to read. Enabling direction indicators is especially worthwhile in these environments, where a + and - may be visually similar at a glance.
- ✅ Tablet and desktop: directional indicators add useful clarity without significantly increasing tile size.
- ✅ Mobile / small screen: strongly recommended — the visual indicator is more scannable than a sign character alone.
☁️ Scope of This Setting
This setting is stored at the account level and syncs across all devices, consistent with 2.4.1, 2.4.2, and other settings in this chapter. ⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm per-user vs. per-account/shop scope, consistent with the open question carried across all 2.4.x pages.
Related Sections
- 2.4.2 — Does your machine display forward thumb pitch as positive? Y/N
- 2.4.1 — Does your machine display right pitch as positive? Y/N
- 2.4.4 — Next setting in this chapter (if applicable)
- 4.x — Spec Sheet: entering and reviewing pitch values
- 1.x — Getting Started: initial shop setup checklist
Tip: If your shop trains new drillers regularly, leave this setting enabled by default. The directional indicators act as a built-in reminder of pitch direction until sign conventions become second nature — and they cost nothing for experienced drillers who already know what the signs mean.
```