Rycom Introduces The Stick Locator
Send Via E-MailKANSAS CITY, MO - March 17, 2011 - WastewaterPR.com - The Stick’s mechanical design makes it compact and lightweight without sacrificing durability. The company engineered the locator by placing its proprietary Pathfinder SAF Technology at its core.
The Stick locator
Given today’s cash-strapped economy, lowerpriced locators are a matter of survival. But, let’s face it—most budget-friendly devices employ dated technologies. That is not the case anymore. Rycom Instruments (www.rycominstruments.com) has taken its 65 years of industry experience and created a high-end locator with a low-end price. What’s more, it is manufactured at its Raytown, Missouri-based facility with locally sourced parts.
“We wanted to make something sophisticated enough for the damage-prevention professional, yet priced low enough to be placed on every truck within a fleet,” says Douglas Reitz, vice president of Rycom Instruments.
The Stick was designed with frequency flexibility, which allows almost any pairing of common locating frequencies. This enables it to meet the unique demands of each customer and market, says Reitz.
It is not simply the price that helps end users save on capital budgets. The Stick is made to withstand years of field use without the need for periodic calibration, adjustment or repair. Rycom also eliminated knobs and exposed controls that typically break and crack from wear and tear of usage. The Stick’s keypad is recessed for protection in transport, usage and in storage.
“It is very easy to use, lightweight, great eye appeal and it has so many other uses: putter, cane, bat, door prop, etc,” laughs Jeff Burnett, vice president of EGW Utilities, Inc., (www.egwusa.com). “After spending some time using this locator, I really like it.”
The Stick’s mechanical design makes it compact and lightweight without sacrificing durability. The company engineered the locator by placing its proprietary Pathfinder SAF Technology at its core. Rycom’s Pathfinder SAF Technology runs through all the company’s premium locators, but now they are incorporating it into their entire product line.
“We heard what the people want,” says Dana Thrutchley, director of manufacturing at Rycom. “We moved the antenna closer to the ground. We really made it weather proof by sealing it in the aluminum housing. It also has a LCD, which a lot of units do not have. As far as meeting the needs of our customers, I think we really nailed it.”
The Stick is easily applied to the gas, telecom, water, cable television, power markets or to the general contractor. Whether cast-iron pipes, telephone cables, trace wire, steel services, drops or trunk lines the Stick provides a reliable locate. Rycom began offering presales in December, deploying a few hundred units in the field. The Stick officially launches this month.
