Bluetooth vs USB-Only: Which Programmable Turntable Empowers Your Mobile 3D Scanning Setup? (MTxRUBL vs MTxRUL)
ComXim MTxRUBL (Bluetooth + USB) vs MTxRUL (USB-Only). Compare BLE wireless control, Android development, mobile scanning workflows, and which series suits on-location 3D scanning and photography.
Introduction
When you’re scanning on location, setting up a photography studio in a pop-up space, or developing a mobile control App, cables become the enemy. The ComXim MTxRUBL series solves this with Bluetooth BLE 4.0 wireless control, while the MTxRUL keeps it simple with USB-only connection.
The RUBL is an “upper-tier” model of the RUL—you get all the USB functionality of the RUL plus Bluetooth wireless. Both share the same motor platform, five rotation modes, and load capacities. The difference is how you talk to the turntable.
What Both Series Share
- Rotation modes: Continuous, Single Step, Repeated Step, Pendulum Swing, and Multi-Step Within One Circle. Both support all five.
- Control methods: Both include infrared remote control and USB connectivity. The RUBL adds Bluetooth BLE 4.0 on top.
- Load capacity and speed range: Identical across matching sizes. A 400mm RUL and 400mm RUBL both support 60kg in step mode with the same speed adjustment range.
- CT command set: Unified across all ComXim programmable turntables. Commands are transport-agnostic.
Key Difference: Wired vs Bluetooth Wireless
MTxRUL — USB-Only (Wired)
The RUL series relies on a physical USB cable connection to your computer. After installing the CH340 driver, the turntable appears as a virtual COM port on your system. It’s reliable, simple, and cost-effective—but tethered to the control computer.
MTxRUBL — USB + Bluetooth BLE 4.0 (Wired + Wireless)
The MTxRUBL adds Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0 wireless control to the USB foundation. No traditional pairing is required—just search for the turntable’s Bluetooth name (e.g., “MT200RUBL20Pro”) in your App and connect.
Pros for 3D scanning and development: Truly cable-free control from your phone or laptop without wires. Mobile-first design ideal for on-location 3D scanning and photography. BLE 4.0 efficiency with low power consumption and reliable connection. Android App ready with TurntableBLE demo App. No network configuration required—simpler than Wi-Fi setup.
Cons: Shorter range than Wi-Fi (typically 10-30 meters). Android-only official demo (no iOS version currently available). BLE stack complexity is more involved than serial communication for custom development.
Development Experience Comparison
The RUL uses serial COM port communication, requiring serial handling in your code. The RUBL offers both serial and BLE GATT connection options.
BLE development requires understanding of GATT (Generic Attribute Profile), UUID matching for service and characteristic discovery, and handling BLE connection states. This is more complex than serial port programming. The RUBL is best suited for Android mobile App developers who need close-range, cable-free control.
Official demo software: TurntableX (Windows) supports USB control for both RUL and RUBL. For Bluetooth control on the RUBL, the official demo is TurntableBLE for Android.
Comparison Table
| Feature | MTxRUL (USB-Only) | MTxRUBL (USB + Bluetooth) |
|---|---|---|
| USB Control | Yes | Yes |
| Infrared Remote | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth BLE 4.0 | No | Yes |
| Android App Control | No | Yes (TurntableBLE demo) |
| iOS App Control | No | No |
| Wireless Range | N/A | Short (10-30m) |
| Development Complexity | Lower (serial) | Higher (BLE stack) |
| Mobile/On-Location Use | Limited | Ideal |
| Fixed Studio Use | Ideal | Suitable |
| Auto Shutter Hardware | No | No |
| Price Level | Lower | Higher |
Ideal Use Cases
Choose MTxRUL if:
- Your turntable stays in a fixed studio location and never moves.
- You’re budget-conscious and don’t need wireless functionality.
- You’re developing Windows-based control software only.
- You prefer simple serial communication for your project.
Choose MTxRUBL if:
- You do on-location 3D scanning or mobile photography where cables are impractical.
- You want to control the turntable directly from your phone.
- You’re developing Android mobile Apps for turntable control.
- You need cable-free operation in your workflow.
- You’re comfortable with BLE development.
- You prefer Bluetooth’s simple pairing over more complex network configuration.
Developer’s Perspective: The CT Command Advantage
The CT commands remain identical regardless of transport—USB or Bluetooth. This means your command logic is portable across both series.
Sample commands that work on both series:
- CT+START(0,1,0,15,2,24) — Full automation sequence with step rotation and pause (shutter OFF—hardware not present on RUL/RUBL)
- CT+TURNSINGLE(1,11.25) — Single step rotation counterclockwise
- CT+GETPN() — Get product model name
Note: The shutter parameter is set to 0 (OFF) because neither series includes shutter output hardware. Auto shutter functionality is only available on models with “S” or “PS” in the model name.
Summary
Both MTxRUBL and MTxRUL share the same reliable motor, five rotation modes, and unified CT command set.
- RUL: USB + Infrared Remote. Lower price point. Ideal for fixed studio setups. Wired reliability with no wireless variables.
- RUBL: USB + Infrared Remote + Bluetooth BLE 4.0. Ideal for mobile Android developers and on-location scanning. BLE development is more complex than serial but offers cable-free convenience.
The RUBL is the mobile professional’s choice. If your 3D scanning or photography work takes you on location—trade shows, client sites, outdoor shoots—the Bluetooth wireless control is a game-changer. For fixed studio setups where the turntable never moves, the RUL offers the same performance at a lower price.
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