Your thoughts on upgrading Feickert protractor

Slaw,

I don't have to move the platter to align the cantilever at step 2.

The NG instruction for step 2 (outer null point) states emphatically (Bold italics) that the pin no longer needs to be aligned over the pivot point for this step.  Their reasoning is that if the overhang is correct and the inner and outer null points are parallel then all is good.  My interpretation is to adjust the platter until the cantilever is parallel to the grid for step 2 (outer null point), go on to step 3 (inner null point) and, if also parallel, all is good.  I think that’s a valid check, but not sure I’m interpreting the instructions correctly.  The stylus, while on, and parallel to, the line is not at a junction (cross-hair) on the grid like I’m used to seeing on other protractors.  It worked and quite well.  Was it dumb luck though?

My way is get the stylus centered on the cross hairs in step one.
In step two is where I align the cantilever with the grid
Step 3 is somewhat overkill and unnecessary if steps 1 & 2 are spot on.

I find that if using step 3 as part of the main alignment procedure, is not a good thing. If you pay close attention, if steps 1 & 2 are spot on, moving to step 3, the cantilever will be slightly off. This is due to the nature of a pivoted arm. Not a major issue.

Are you serious? chakster protractor CAN'T be improved. It is already the best (grin).

if steps 1 & 2 are spot on, moving to step 3, the cantilever will be slightly off 

Feickert suggests that If the cantilever is slightly off at step 3, it is telling you steps 1 and 2 are not spot on. 

Step 3 “check parallelity with lines on the inner null point.  In case 
parallelity doesn’t match (step 2) go back to (step 1) Otherwise planar setup is finished.

I like my SMARTractor. Except they should have put Stevenson alignment on also.