Can I reuse my Sargon scales with a new DRO?

Yes. Sargon scales output a standard 5V TTL quadrature signal through a DB-25 connector. With a simple DB-25 to DB-9 adapter cable, they connect directly to a TouchDRO. The scales themselves don't need to be modified or replaced.

Is my Enco-branded DRO actually a Sargon?

Very likely. Sargon manufactured DRO consoles that were sold under the Enco, Rutland, Ramtek, and Washington brand names. The scales and connectors are the same as the Sargon-branded versions. Check the back of the console for a Sargon model number to confirm.

What connector do Sargon scales use?

Every Sargon scale we've tested uses a standard 25-pin D-Sub (DB-25) connector. This has been consistent across all Sargon models and scale generations, from the early 100-series through the later XTG300 scales.

Is a Sargon DRO worth repairing?

It depends on the issue, but generally the economics aren't favorable. Sargon has been out of business since 2005, and while a few third-party shops still service these units, parts are scarce. For the cost of a repair, you can often get a complete TouchDRO system with a bigger display and more features.

Do all Sargon models use the same scale pinout?

Based on our testing, yes. We've checked scales from early production through the XTG300 series and the DB-25 pinout has been consistent. The console model (Gold Standard, Gold Tracer, etc.) only affects the display features, not the scale interface.

What signal do Sargon DRO scales output?

Sargon scales output single-ended 5V TTL quadrature — two square wave channels (A and B) that are 90° out of phase. Most also provide a reference (index) pulse on a third pin. This is the same basic signal type used by many modern DRO systems, including TouchDRO.

What is the Sargon DB-25 scale pinout?

The single-ended TTL pinout we've found consistent across Sargon scales is: Pin 1 = Channel A, Pin 2 = Channel B, Pin 3 = Reference (index), Pin 14 = 0V (ground), Pin 15 = +5V. All other pins are unconnected. Verify with a multimeter before powering up.

Do I need the index/reference signal to use TouchDRO?

No. TouchDRO tracks position using the A and B quadrature channels. The index pulse on Pin 3 is optional and not required for normal DRO operation.

Replacing Your Sargon DRO Console with TouchDRO

Sargon Industries built DRO systems in Southern California from the early 1980s until they closed in 2005. Their consoles — the Gold Standard, Prospector, Gold Tracer, and others — are commonly found on Bridgeport-era knee mills and clones, and were also sold under the Enco, Rutland, and Ramtek names. If your machine came with a DRO from that era, there's a decent chance it's a Sargon under the hood.

A handful of third-party shops still offer repairs, but finding parts is getting harder if not impossible. The good news is that Sargon scales are straightforward to reuse. Every Sargon scale we've come across uses a standard DB-25 connector and outputs 5V TTL quadrature — the same basic signal type used by most modern DRO systems. With a simple adapter cable, you can connect your existing Sargon scales to a TouchDRO and get a modern, tablet-based readout without pulling a single scale off your machine.

Why Replace Your Sargon Console?

Even if your Sargon console still powers on, there are good reasons to consider a switch:

Replacement consoles are hard to find. Sargon has been out of business for two decades. Used consoles do turn up on eBay from time to time, but they're aging units with no warranty and no parts pipeline behind them. TouchDRO gives you a current-production system for comparable money.
Your scales are still good. Sargon glass scales are solidly built. If yours still track smoothly and repeat well, there's no reason to replace them — just the console.
A bigger, sharper display. Even the best Sargon LED and LCD displays are tiny by modern standards. A tablet screen gives you a readout you can actually see from across the shop.
Features the Sargon never had. Bolt hole patterns, tool offsets, a graphical projection view, and other capabilities that the original console simply didn't offer.
No more dead-end platform. With no manufacturer behind it, every Sargon repair is a stopgap. TouchDRO is actively developed, and if a tablet breaks, a replacement is $60 and an afternoon.

Is It Really a Sargon?

Sargon sold consoles under their own name, but they also manufactured DROs that were private-labeled by several tool distributors. If your console says Enco, Rutland, Ramtek, or Washington on the front panel and has a 25-pin connector, it's very likely a Sargon inside. (Some of these brands also sold rebranded Chinese DROs with different connectors, so the DB-25 is the tell.) The scales and connectors are the same regardless of the badge on the display.

If you're not sure, check the back of the console for a Sargon model number (typically a three-digit number like 650, 700, or 722) or look at the scale bodies for Sargon branding.

Sargon Model Overview

Over the years, Sargon produced quite a few console variants. The most common ones you'll encounter are:

Gold Standard (650 series) — the entry-level model with machine error compensation and absolute/incremental modes.
Prospector (660 series) — a step up with additional measurement functions.
Platinum Plus — commonly found on Enco-branded machines.
Gold Tracer (700 series) — added center-finding, angle measurement, and tool offsets. Available in mill (700) and lathe (700L) versions.
Super Platinum Edge (722) — a later Gold Tracer variant.
Gold Tracer II (900 series) — the top of the line, with 250 program steps and 100 tool offsets. Also available in mill and lathe versions.
Silverado, Lathe Pro, Mill Pro — later models from the membrane-faceplate and Pro Series generations.

Regardless of which Sargon model you have, the scales use the same DB-25 connector and 5V TTL quadrature output. The console model only affects what features the display offers — it makes no difference for compatibility with TouchDRO.

The Sargon DB-25 Connector

One thing that makes Sargon scales easy to work with is that every one we've tested uses a standard 25-pin D-Sub (DB-25) connector. Unlike some other vintage DRO brands that used proprietary round connectors, the DB-25 is a common, readily available connector that you can buy at any electronics supplier. We've tested scales spanning early production through the later XTG300 series, and the pinout has been consistent across all of them.

The pinout of the Sargon DB-25 scale connector is as follows:

Sargon DB-25 connector pinout diagram — Sargon DB-25 connector pinout

DB-25 Pin	Signal
1	Channel A
2	Channel B
3	Reference (index) mark
14	0V / Signal Ground
15	+5V

The scales output single-ended 5V TTL quadrature (channels A and B, 90° out of phase). TouchDRO can read this signal directly — the only challenge is the physical connector, since the TouchDRO uses DB-9 inputs.

Adapter Cable

To connect your Sargon scales to TouchDRO, you need an adapter cable that goes from DB-25 to DB-9. We will be offering a pre-made adapter cable (part number TBD), or you can build your own. You will need the following parts per scale:

DB-25 male connector
DB-9 male connector
5-conductor stranded shielded cable

The wiring is straightforward — you're connecting the four signal lines (A, B, +5V, and ground) from the DB-25 to the corresponding pins on the DB-9. The adapter cable wiring is as follows:

Sargon DB-25 Pin	Signal	TouchDRO DB9 Pin (default pinout)
1	Channel A	6
2	Channel B	8
3	Reference (index)	9
14	0V / Signal Ground	2
15	+5V	7

All other pins on both connectors are left unconnected.

Connector Replacement

Since both the Sargon scale side and the TouchDRO input are D-Sub connectors, you can also replace the DB-25 on the scale cable with a DB-9 directly. This eliminates the adapter cable entirely, though it does mean cutting off the original connector. If your Sargon console is beyond repair and you have no plans to go back, this is the cleanest approach.

As with any scale rewiring, note your wire colors before desoldering anything. Sargon did not follow a universal color code across production runs, so the colors on your scales may not match someone else's.

Verify Before Powering Up

Whether you build an adapter cable or replace the connector, it's worth a quick sanity check before applying power. Use a multimeter to confirm that your +5V and 0V lines are on the correct pins and not shorted. Once powered, a logic probe or oscilloscope on the A and B lines should show them toggling as you move the scale.

Installation Overview

Disconnect the Sargon console. Unplug the DB-25 cables from the back of the console. Leave the scales in place on your machine.
Connect the adapter cables. Plug the DB-25 end of each adapter cable into the corresponding scale. Plug the DB-9 end into the TouchDRO's axis input.
Mount the adapter board. Secure the TouchDRO somewhere convenient on your machine. A 3D-printed enclosure or a simple bracket on the column works well.
Set up the tablet. Install the TouchDRO app on your Android or Fire tablet, pair it with the adapter board over Bluetooth, and configure your axes.
Verify operation. Move each axis and confirm that the readout tracks correctly. Check direction and resolution in the TouchDRO settings.

Ready to Make the Switch?

Ready to Go?

Pick up a TouchDRO adapter kit for your milling machine or lathe. All Sargon scales are TTL-compatible, so any kit will work — you just need the adapter cable to go from DB-25 to DB-9.

Questions?

If you're not sure whether your scales are Sargon, or if you have questions about wiring, feel free to post in the TouchDRO forum on The Hobby-Machinist or contact us directly.