Mastering the Meter: Your Essential Guide to Digitax Taximeters

For every professional cabbie navigating the bustling streets of the UK, the taximeter isn't just a piece of equipment; it's the heart of your daily operations. It’s your silent partner, accurately calculating fares and ensuring fair play for both driver and passenger. Today, we're taking a deep dive into the Digitax family, specifically demystifying the ever-reliable F2 model and touching upon the innovative M1 mirror taximeter. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting your journey behind the wheel, a thorough understanding of your meter is paramount for efficient, compliant, and profitable work.

Unlocking the Digitax F2: Your Daily Companion

The Digitax Taximeter F2 is a workhorse, designed for clarity and ease of use. At its core, mastering this device comes down to understanding its simple yet powerful interface. Let's break down its fundamental components and operational modes, ensuring you're always in control of your fares.

Understanding Your Taximeter’s Basics: Keys and Modes

The F2 features a straightforward layout with five essential keys: OP, K1, K2, K3, and K4. These keys are your primary interface for navigating the meter's functions. Alongside these, the F2 operates across three distinct working modes: 'For Hire', 'Hired', and 'Stopped'. Switching between these modes is incredibly simple – typically, a quick tap of the trusty OP button is all it takes to transition.

The ‘For Hire’ Mode: Ready for Business

When your taxi is empty, cruising for a fare, or simply waiting for your next pick-up, the 'For Hire' mode is your default setting. This mode signals to potential passengers that you’re available for work and ensures the meter isn't inadvertently running. It's the starting point for every new journey. When a passenger hops in and the ride begins, a simple press of the OP button will seamlessly switch you into 'Hired' mode, initiating the fare calculation.

• OP Button: Toggles to 'Hired' mode when a ride commences.
• K3 Button: Provides the current date and time (Note: This feature is exclusive to the RTC version of the F2). This can be incredibly handy for record-keeping or simply checking the time without needing another device.
• K4 Button: Displays the current year (also for the RTC version only).

‘Hired’ Mode: The Journey Begins

Once you’ve got a passenger onboard and the meter is running, you're in 'Hired' mode. This is where the magic happens – your roof sign will dim (a clear visual cue that you're occupied), and the meter begins accurately tallying the fare based on distance, time, and the active tariff. This mode is central to your income generation.

• OP Button: At the journey's end, pressing OP will shift you into 'Stopped' mode, pausing the fare accumulation but allowing for final adjustments.
• K1 Button: Allows you to cycle through available tariffs. This is crucial if your local regulations or company policy require different rates for specific times, days, or zones.
• K2 & K3 Buttons: These are your go-to for adding in extras. Whether it's a booking fee, an extra passenger charge, or a luggage fee, these buttons allow you to quickly and accurately account for additional costs.
• K4 Button: A handy feature for correcting mistakes; K4 clears any extras that might have been added inadvertently, ensuring the final fare is always correct.

‘Stopped’ Mode: Finalising the Fare

You’ve reached the destination, and the car is stationary. The meter transitions into 'Stopped' mode. While the primary fare calculation has ceased, this mode provides a crucial window to make any final adjustments, such as adding last-minute extras before the payment is processed. It's the bridge between the active journey and preparing for your next fare.

• OP Button: Once the transaction is complete, pressing OP will return your meter to 'For Hire' mode, making you available for the next passenger.
• K1 to K4 Buttons: Depending on your specific taximeter's configuration and local settings, these buttons can still be used to add various extras. This flexibility ensures all legitimate charges are included in the final bill.

Powering Off and On Your F2

Knowing how to properly power down and restart your meter is vital for daily operations and troubleshooting. The method can vary slightly depending on your F2 model:

• For 32 Block F2 and F2 RTC versions: To power off, simultaneously press the K2 and K4 buttons.
• For 4 Block F2 versions: A simpler approach here; just press the K1 button to power down.
• To revive the meter and power it back on, a press of the OP button is all that's required.

Setting Time & Date (RTC Version Specific)

For F2 models equipped with the Real Time Clock (RTC), maintaining accurate time and date settings is crucial, not just for passenger information but also for tariff management. To access the time and date settings:

While in 'For Hire' mode, press K1 & K3 simultaneously. You can then adjust the day using K1, the month with K2, hours with K3, and minutes with K4. To set the year, press OP, then fine-tune with K1 and K2. Do remember that some specific setups or local regulations might have disabled this feature to prevent unauthorised changes.

Currency Conversion

For drivers operating in areas with variable currency requirements or tourist-heavy routes, the F2 offers a handy currency conversion feature (if enabled). In both 'Hired' and 'Stopped' modes, a quick tap of the K3 button can swap the displayed fare between Euros and your local currency. This can be particularly useful for international passengers who might prefer to see the fare in a familiar denomination.

Memory Features: Your Digital Logbook

One of the most powerful, yet often underutilised, features of the Digitax F2 is its robust memory. This isn't just a simple counter; it records vital operational data, providing valuable insights into your daily, weekly, or monthly performance. The memory is typically structured into two blocks, each containing seven crucial sections:

• Total trips completed
• Total units accrued
• Miles covered in different operational modes (e.g., 'For Hire', 'Hired')
• Total waiting hours
• Overall fare income
• Total extra income

To navigate and view this invaluable data:

While in 'For Hire' mode, press K1 & K2 simultaneously. You can then adjust the displayed data sections with K1 & K2, switch between the two memory blocks with K3, and finally, wrap up your review with OP.

Printing & Erasing Memory

For those with a printer attached to their F2, retrieving and printing memory data is a straightforward process. This is invaluable for record-keeping, end-of-shift reports, or tax purposes. In 'For Hire' mode, toggle through options with K1, K2, and K4 to find the print function for your memory data. Additionally, the F2 allows you to clear out Block 1’s memory using K4, which is typically done after a shift or reporting period, though always ensure you’ve printed any necessary records first.

The Digitax M1 Mirror Taximeter: A Glimpse into Advanced Connectivity

While the F2 is a robust standalone unit, the Digitax M1 Mirror Taximeter represents a step forward in integration and connectivity. As its name suggests, the M1 is cleverly integrated into the rearview mirror, offering a sleek, less intrusive design within the cab. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the M1 boasts significant advancements in communication capabilities, making it a powerful tool for modern taxi fleets and independent drivers alike.

The M1 is designed with extensive communication channels to interact seamlessly with the external world. It features two independent RS232 serial ports, offering flexible baud rates from 300 to 115200. This, combined with a 4-wire synchro channel and a dedicated printer driver, allows the M1 to interface with multiple devices simultaneously. This means it can connect to credit card readers, chip card terminals, and external printers with ease, streamlining the payment process.

A key feature of the M1 is its inclusion of the Commtax 2 protocol. This advanced protocol enables remote management of virtually all taximeter functions, including magnetic credit card readers, chip card operations, and printer controls. Furthermore, the RS232 port, using the Commtax 2 protocol, facilitates a robust link to dispatch systems or other mobile terminals, crucial for integrated fleet management and efficient job allocation. This level of connectivity allows for a more automated and data-rich operation, moving beyond simple fare calculation to a comprehensive business tool.

How Many Digits Does a Taximeter Have? A Look at F2 Specifications

Beyond the operational modes, understanding the technical specifications of your taximeter provides a deeper appreciation for its capabilities. The Digitax F2, for example, is a testament to efficient design, balancing cost-effectiveness with powerful functionality. Here’s a breakdown of what the F2 can display and manage:

• Fare Counter: The F2 typically features 5 or 6 digits for the main fare display, ensuring even lengthy journeys with high fares are accurately represented. These are usually red, high-luminosity LED displays for excellent visibility.
• Extras Counter: A dedicated 5-digit display for extras allows for clear tracking of additional charges, separate from the core fare.
• Tariff Index: A single digit indicates the currently active tariff, providing an immediate visual cue for the driver.

Smart Tariff Management

One of the F2's standout features is its sophisticated tariff system. It can manage 32 fully independent and smart tariffs. What makes them 'smart'? They can be automatically managed by a multitude of factors, including:

• Time of day
• Date (e.g., weekend vs. weekday)
• Distance travelled
• Accumulated fare amount

This allows for highly flexible and precise fare calculations, adapting to complex pricing structures. In addition to these 32, the F2 can also accommodate:

• 4 Night Tariffs
• 4 Holiday Tariffs
• 4 Autofare Tariffs (e.g., flat rates for specific journeys)
• 4 Autodistance Tariffs (e.g., different rates after a certain distance)

Tariff choice can be manual, giving the driver direct control, or automatic, based on pre-programmed conditions like distance, time, date, or fare amount. Tariff program changes can be facilitated via a memory key or by a programmer, ensuring security and consistency.

Connectivity and Outputs

The F2 is designed to integrate with various peripherals that enhance a taxi's functionality:

• Printer: Essential for providing receipts to passengers and for driver record-keeping.
• Infrared Passenger Sensor: Can automate the transition to 'Hired' mode when a passenger enters the vehicle, improving efficiency.
• Mobile Data Terminal (MDT): For dispatch systems and navigation.
• Communications Ports: An internal RS232 COM1 port allows for data exchange.
• Power Outputs: Includes a 25-watt output for the roof light and four programmable 5-watt outputs for other accessories.

Physical and Environmental Specifications

The F2 is built to withstand the rigours of daily taxi operations:

• Dimensions (WxHxD mm): Compact at approximately 17 x 4.5 x 2.5 cm.
• Weight: Around 350 grams, making it lightweight and easy to mount.
• Power Supply: Operates efficiently from 8.5 to 16 Volts.
• Temperature Range: Resilient in temperatures from -15 to 70 °C, suitable for varied climates.
• Relative Humidity: Can withstand up to 95% humidity.
• Mechanical Strength: Designed to handle 3g of mechanical stress, ensuring durability.
• Distance Unit: Highly precise, from 10 cm to 6553 meters, with a step of 10 cm.
• Waiting Time Unit: Measures from 0.1 seconds to 6553 seconds, with a 0.1-second step, ensuring accurate waiting time charges.
• Totalizer Mode: Features a 7 + 7 statistic memory for comprehensive data logging.

The F2's firmware is stored on reprogrammable Flash Eprom, meaning it can be upgraded on board, ensuring your meter stays current with any regulatory changes or software enhancements.

Why Understanding Your Taximeter is Crucial

For UK taxi drivers, a deep understanding of your Digitax taximeter isn't just about technical proficiency; it's about business acumen and compliance. An accurately operated meter ensures you are charging correct fares, avoiding disputes with passengers, and adhering to local licensing authority regulations. It also provides invaluable data for managing your finances, tracking your earnings, and optimising your routes and working hours. Knowing your meter inside out empowers you to troubleshoot minor issues, maximise your efficiency, and ultimately, enhance your professional reputation.

Digitax F2 vs. M1: A Brief Comparison

While both are excellent Digitax products, they cater to slightly different needs. Here's a quick overview:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Digitax Taximeters

Can I set the time and date on my Digitax F2 taximeter?

Yes, if you have the RTC (Real Time Clock) version of the F2. In 'For Hire' mode, press K1 & K3 simultaneously to enter the time/date setting menu. You can then use K1, K2, K3, K4, and OP to adjust the day, month, hours, minutes, and year. Be aware that some configurations might have this feature disabled by your installer or licensing authority.

What are the main operational modes of the Digitax F2?

The Digitax F2 operates in three primary modes: 'For Hire' (when available for passengers), 'Hired' (when a passenger is onboard and the meter is running), and 'Stopped' (at the destination, for final fare adjustments). You typically switch between these modes using the OP button.

How do I add extras to a fare on the F2?

While in 'Hired' or 'Stopped' mode, you can add extras using the K2 and K3 buttons. The specific charges associated with these buttons depend on your meter's programming. If you've added an extra by mistake, the K4 button can often be used to clear it.

What is the Commtax 2 protocol mentioned for the Digitax M1?

The Commtax 2 protocol is an advanced communication standard used by the Digitax M1 mirror taximeter. It allows for remote management and interfacing with external devices such as magnetic credit card readers, chip card terminals, and dispatch systems. This enables more integrated and automated taxi operations.

How many tariffs can the Digitax F2 handle?

The Digitax F2 is highly versatile and can manage up to 32 fully independent 'smart' tariffs. These tariffs can automatically switch based on time, date, distance, or fare amount. Additionally, it supports specific night, holiday, autofare, and autodistance tariffs, providing extensive flexibility for various pricing structures.

Conclusion

The Digitax F2 and M1 taximeters are sophisticated tools designed to make the life of a UK taxi driver more efficient and profitable. By taking the time to truly understand the ins and outs of your meter – from the basic key functions and operational modes to its advanced memory features and connectivity options – you empower yourself to navigate the complexities of fare calculation with confidence and precision. A well-understood meter is a reliable partner, ensuring every journey is accurately accounted for. So, keep those meters running, drive safely, and may your journeys be prosperous!

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