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Open Source Trigger Update

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madeinoz  Pro User  says:

Appologies to all in the delay of getting this information online since my original flickr post of photos over the new year break.

Seeing I've had a bit of time over the weekend I've been updating the following website on the progress of the open source trigger.

blog.everythingrobotics.com/strobit/

I'll be on holidays starting next week for a couple of weeks where I'll be able to devote a bit more time to the project and testing (at least for the first week anyway).

In short:
-Prototypes are up and running.
-Schematics are now online.
-Website being updated
-Sourcecode coming (just cleaning up my messy code) Still some bugs but working pretty well, heaps of tweaking and testing still to be done
-Photos hopefully going online today/tonight once I sort through them.
-More details on tests with photos as they come.

Initial tests of the prototype units seem good. Range is much better that I expected, indoors non line of sight, only tested around the house (through brick walls) but seems to be 30m+ I can get successful triggers in every room with the master unit stationary at the furtherest end of the house near TV, A/V and wifi gear (i.e. plenty of interference sources).

Using my test firmware that continually transmitted a trigger every second I did a quick test outdoors and stopped measuring at 100m (the road ran out and it looked kinda funny walking along with a flashing strobe), the RF units have a reported range of 250m so it would indicate that we could get a decent way towards this. If we use their souped up version we could get distances of up to 3000m (I have a couple on order for testing, not yet arrived)

If anyone is interested I'm looking at putting together a low cost kit (I would estimate sub $10 per unit- assembly required) so we can get bulk deal on component purchasing once I get the PCB layout finished. If your interested let me know so I can get an idea of numbers to see if it's worthwhile.

Stephen..
Posted at 9:03PM, 13 January 2008 PDT (permalink)

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(1 to 100 of 197 replies in Open Source Trigger Update)
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strobist is a group administrator strobist  Pro User  says:

Stephen -

Wow. You guys are rockin'. That's awesome.

What can I do to help?
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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madeinoz  Pro User  says:

David-

Thanks, has been a great learning experience that combines a couple of my interests - photography and geekness hehe.

Really a proof of concept to see if it can be easily done reliably at a low cost, which from the prototype I think it can be.

I'm hanging out to get my hands on the souped up version of the RF module, it would be cool to set a strobe off 3Km away hehe, just have to worry if my gear will still be there when I return, but I guess thats another matter lol.

If you can compress more time into 24hours would be a great help lol ;)

There still needs to be much more testing in different environments with different cameras etc. If we can get a low cost kit up and running it will allow more people to do more testing and development, which will hopefully snowball things like better features, bug fixes etc If all goes to plan I'll be working on this over the first week of my holiday break next week to see what I can come up with.

Stephen...
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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strobist is a group administrator strobist  Pro User  says:

Just let me know when you need the word spread. I'm there.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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SoulJah  Pro User  says:

I'll buy some of that if its available.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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aldolega says:

this and radiopopper- very exciting for Strobists!

how many units would need to be sold (or pre-sold) for you guys to set up manufacturing/assembly so people who are DIY-tarded can get the units without frustration?
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Moniet says:

<-----Wishes she could solder!!
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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madeinoz  Pro User  says:

One of the reason behind the kits is FCC and regulatory approval. A completed off the shelf product will need FCC approval in US and other countries need their own regulatory testing/approval, while the RF units used in the project meet the requirements as far as power output etc the whole thing would need approval if sold as a product. If we can get these tested and licensed then not a problem, but will take $$$ and time so kits in component form are the next best option until we can.

However if the interest/numbers are there for completed kits and the process costs $X then we may be able to proceed with the approval process if we all chip in the required amount. I have no experience in the process, I'm sure those of you out there that can comment.

Maybe for those who can't solder engage the services of the local family geek, theres one in every family right - well somewhere in the family locked away lol? They would be more than happy to do do the job for you.

Another idea is a local strobist build meet, where those that can solder etc can show those that can't, also a good excuse for a get together :).
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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strobist is a group administrator strobist  Pro User  says:

Hmm...

How much (er, how little) could you leave up to the buyer/assembler and still satisfy that requirement?

Like, maybe, a socketed chip?

:)
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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madeinoz  Pro User  says:

lol great mind think alike, I've been thinking along these lines, maybe just have to plug in the RF component which will be socketed anway, onto the PCB, and then assemble the PCB into it's box? If this is the case it would make things much nicer as far as size, currently I've done the design with dicrete components to make things easier in sourcing and building, if this is the case then it could be done using SMD components, which means smaller and more compact.

Or offer a completed kit minus the RF side of things then up to the end user to source this seperately.

However I don't really know.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Mozella says:

I gather you live in the antipodes. Perhaps you could license someone in the U.S. to gather and package component kits so that we who live in the USA wouldn't have to suffer shipping charges and the current weakness in the dollar?

We certainly have plenty of component suppliers here. Maybe one approach would for you to build the circuit boards in bulk, program the processor, take a cut for yourself, and then ship those two components to whoever is your US supplier who would then acquire, box, and ship the rest of the components.

No matter how you do it, count me in for a couple of kits.

Bob
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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tarjei99 says:

Any plans for camera personality modules?

If you sold finished products, something with personality modules would be a killer product.

greetings,
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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elv0000 says:

Definately up for a kit! (although I won't be much help refining it... haha)

I'm not quite sure where your at though, do you mean this is good for everyone to start playing with or are you looking for skilled testers/refiners?

Once its at a reasonable working level I'm sure you'll have absolutely no shortage of takers, but I if its in the very early stages (of reliability etc) maybe its better not to have everyone buying in yet?
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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kalleh says:

I'll definitely sign up for a kit. Is there a difference in power consumtion between the 250m vs the 3km version? Also, do they use different frequencies? The reason I ask is because i'd rather like longer battery life and more robustness than the increased range... GREAT JOB!
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Nicholaus Haskins  Pro User  says:

Definitely interested in that. Let me know what I can do to help.

Forgot to mention I do have exp soldering.
Originally posted 53 months ago. (permalink)
Nicholaus Haskins edited this topic 53 months ago.

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Hugh Beauchamp says:

I'm very interested too. Count me in!
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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kenkyee says:

madeinoz:
Not sure how you're testing range, but be sure to use a camera when doing final testing. It might trigger, but may not show up in the frame if it's trying to sync too fast...
Count me in as a guinea pig. I have enough soldering equipment to build up the kit as long as you didn't do surface mount stuff ;-)
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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herman.stehouwer  Pro User  says:

I am proficient enough with solder :D
I would take a few of your hands. Say 2 transmitters an 4 recievers worth of kit :D
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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kuster says:

What are we looking at for size of these triggers? Comparable to the ebay triggers or more towards the pocket wizards? And what kind of project casing are we looking at? Is this something that will have a hotshoe on it, or are we looking at strictly PC or mini-jack usage?

And I'm very interested in helping if I can, but I don't have a lot of electronics knowledge, so I don't know that I could troubleshoot it much.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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carlos.benjamin is a group moderator carlos.benjamin says:

I want nothing to do with this and intend to undermine your efforts......

Sorry. This wasn't sounding at all like an internet discussion and I got disoriented momentarily......

I'd like to take a set of these for a spin as well.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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hyperlightphoto says:

I would like to get a set, add me to the list of people interested in a diy kit.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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lauriemarie01  Pro User  says:

I'm ready to buy whey they're ready to fly. While I can soder, I'm not confident I would be a good tester. That's a whole 'nother level of geekiness.
Originally posted 53 months ago. (permalink)
lauriemarie01 edited this topic 53 months ago.

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kpschoedel says:

Interested in at least a few.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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stuart updegrave  Pro User  says:

/me raises hand as well ...
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Robertv! (Edinburgh, UK)  Pro User  says:

I'd love to play around with a kit. I guess you can ship to the UK and take payments using Paypal? Just thinking ahead!


Nice to see it's definately high voltage shoe capable and using a nice clean circuit. I'm surprised at the very cheap price, so very well done with this. Bulk buying wins I'd suspect!
Originally posted 53 months ago. (permalink)
Robertv! (Edinburgh, UK) edited this topic 53 months ago.

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W...M...K says:

I can solder, I can breadboard, I can do all sorts of stuff...count me in.

Anything I can do to help, just post.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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iHartPhotos.com  Pro User  says:

Super interesting! But a few critical questions havent been answered, like:

What would the difference be between these & Gadget Infinity's?

What would the difference be between these & Radiopoppers?

What would the kit price likely be?
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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michael_kleymann says:

I'm up for a kit... And if there are folks in the chicago area interested who need someone to handle their soldering, I'm not adverse to helping out.

edited to add: Suppose I should get a count on here... one xmit, 4 receivers.
Originally posted 53 months ago. (permalink)
michael_kleymann edited this topic 53 months ago.

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Jano Myburgh says:

I can solder. I'm in for at least 3 kits.

Great work.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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jameshamiltonphotography says:

Yes indeed, I am interested, thank you for you efforts!
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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xysmas (Aaron) says:

interested, can solder, would want at least 3 kits.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Yong Pong  Pro User  says:

i can solder, gimme a parts list :)
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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carlos.benjamin is a group moderator carlos.benjamin says:

1colin - RIF ..... Reading Is FUNdamental.......

Price is covered in the OP.

As far as differences between poverty wizards and this? Build quality and reliability. With my soldering skills both would likely be worse. With someone else behind the iron, the potential is that both could be much better. Perhaps approaching Pocket Wizardry.....

Now, the other question leads me to believe that you haven't read up on the poppers. The popper on your main flash sucks up TTL info from the IR and spits out RF in all directions. The popper on your adjunct flashes eats up the RF and poops out IR TTL info. Totally different critters.....
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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kuster says:

Plus we can't get our hands on the radiopoppers yet...
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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iHartPhotos.com  Pro User  says:

lol... oops.
I read his post AND went to his forums and read a ton on there. I guess I skipped the one crucial sentence.

I had read about the Poppers, but I actually appreciate your "Poppers for Dummies" summary.
Originally posted 53 months ago. (permalink)
iHartPhotos.com edited this topic 53 months ago.

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mullenite says:

I would be interested, can solder, and can troubleshoot if you explain to me how they work. Would need 1 xT x and 3 x Rx most likely.

Edit to add: I'd be willing to do sync speed tests, I have a d70s and don't mind taking a lot of shots of the same thing to see where the sync cuts out.
Originally posted 53 months ago. (permalink)
mullenite edited this topic 53 months ago.

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MrDAT says:

I think I'm gonna try this too!
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Moniet says:

If I can talk somebody into soldering...I'd take a set.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Crowder Photography says:

I would definitely be up for a kit. Or even just the pre-programmed chip as long as I could buy the general parts from a local electronics store.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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cabbiinc  Pro User  says:

Since this is an open source project:

What does anyone think of making these things work with multiple strobes from the same receiver unit, but activating the strobes sequentially. The first signal fires strobe one, the second signal fires strobe two etc.. recycling back to strobe one, the strobe two... You could have rapid fire strobes... sort of. Am I off my rocker on this one?
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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very1silent  Pro User  says:

Please please count me in for a kit -- particularly if you're including a serial port so that we can run alternate firmware.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Robertv! (Edinburgh, UK)  Pro User  says:

This sequencing could be done with an external counter device CMOS (4017) and approriate interfacing. A nice idea.
I doub't this would be built in, ever, due to the additional interfacing opto's and counter. A nice idea for an external project though, I might build one! :-)
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Apeshoot says:

I'm interested in 1 T and 3 R.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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madeinoz  Pro User  says:

Ok to answer some of the questions:

1) long range version, have no idea of power consumption as I've not yet received the module for testing, but would definately assume power consumption is higher.

2) Personalities - As this thing is open then anyone can develop their own personalities, thats the whole idea of an open source trigger. anyone can do what they want within the licensing terms and thats pretty open. What I'm hoping is we can have a library of personalities developed by the community, so you can just download what you want. obviously you need some programming skills to develop these personalities.

3) serial port while not on the prototype is a definate in the final design for updates, configuration, connecting to your toaster etc.

4) These are designed for the enthusiast so again is designed to be modified, hacked and hopefully expanded on by the community at large, hopefully this is the seed of bigger and better things.

5) Box / enclosure have no idea at the moment, ideas? people with some 3D modeling skills I would appreciate some ideas/help in an enclosure design, as I'm about to start the pcb desgn I would like some idea of what to fit it in. If not then I guess will be a standard jiffy box.

6) These are designed to be tranceivers, i.e. they can be a transmitter and a receiver so you don't need 2 different bits of hardware, at the moment if you want a transmitter you just press the button as you power up, else you just power up and its a receiver.

7) Kit cost - obviously ball park I'm targeting sub $10 per device but depends on numbers, I want something we all can use easily and reliably and affordable. Could be higher, just don't know at the moment, obviously when you start adding enclosures etc then price goes up. Its designed for the enthusiast not a polished end product.

8) As the design is open it can be built by anyone at home, all parts are off the shelf except for RF module, which I can get no problems in qty. I designed it so there was no SMD components so its easier to hand solder.

9) I'm planning on doing more testing on my break, at least in the first week, especially sync tests etc, these things should be capable of 1/1000 and higher but range will suffer due to the higher datarate required to transmit the trigger command, just don't know what that range will be. Here are my calculations
wiki.everythingrobotics.com/index.php?title=Design#Sync_S...

Stephen...
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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nayo says:

i cant solder, when i try there is always a mess, but i will want a kit, to keep practicing my soldering skill, or lack of
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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elv0000 says:

Firstly thanks for the effort Stephen!!

Ok... I know I'm not the only one here who has virtualy no idea what your talking about half the time (and Ive read most of the forum). Someone needs to give a short and reasonably simple explantaion of the what the basic process is here!

As in - we need to print up a circuit board (aproximately x numbers to make that worthwhile), then we add a microprocessor to that and somebody adds a program in to it?? I've got no idea so I won't go on but if somebody could please expain the basic process as it would relat to what Stephens come up with. .

Surely a case is the last concern, if these are going to change and evolve there might be xtra ports and things it would cost a fortune to redesign cases? I assume circuit boards a relativley cheap to make new designs?


So as it would be made now is it only one channel?

How do you connect it? (looking at the board pic looks like a simple miniphone plug which would be great).

If you can get it to a stage atleast some of us can get it soldered together then we could help write up detailed instructions with lots of pictures etc for everyone else. It actulay looks pretty simple in these pictures?! www.flickr.com/photos/10547551@N06/2145589571/
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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brianr_001 says:

i am in for 4 when things get going. i love soldering!
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Geoff Ball says:

Great work, it's wonderful project, well worth doing, I love the idea of the transceiver, love the $10 mark but would pay more.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Jon_Senior says:

@elv: OK:

It'll be cool if Stephen can source some kind of enclosure but at a base level:

Kit would comprise PCB, components, and a programmed MCU. The board design will incorporate a system for updating the "firmware" without removing the chip. Yet to be confirmed, but it would / could incorporate headers for future expansion.

Regardless of the outcome of enclosure design, there is no need for a standard enclosure. If you preferred to have all connections on mini-jack, then that's what you put together.

@RobertV: One of the original contributors to the forum has built exactly what you describe and runs it using his eBay triggers. If you're interested I can put you in contact and get a copy of his final schematics.
Originally posted 53 months ago. (permalink)
Jon_Senior edited this topic 53 months ago.

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digitaljoe2 says:

I am interested - have to learn the soldering bit!
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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abbemu says:

me me me.. I can solder.. 6 kits pls
Originally posted 53 months ago. (permalink)
abbemu edited this topic 53 months ago.

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gordolake  Pro User  says:

yes please looks really great, luv kits, and the smell of warm flux,
2 units for me to start thanx, count in me.
steve
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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bilmorfoto says:

I'll take a pair. PCB soldering is no problem; thanks for avoiding SMD. What sort of hardware/software will be necessary to program the PIC?

Looking forward to some fun,

Bill
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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boyle541 says:

Hey, I'm interested... have soldering skills, limited programming ability, and live near the Canada/US border, so if there are people in Canada interested I can import in bulk.

So, assuming we're talking the $10 neighbourhood, sign me us for 3 or so.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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kenkyee says:

madeinoz:
You probably have companies like these in Australia that will do low cost small runs of PCBs and products. I saved these links a while back while working on another project:
3D Objects - www.emachineshop.com
Circuit Boards w/ Components - www.pad2pad.com
Circuit Boards - www.pcbexpress.com
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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carlos.benjamin is a group moderator carlos.benjamin says:

This would be a cool way to do the trigger in a battery grip mod that was posted last week.

By the way, I soldered my fingers together last week...... oh, wait..... no, that was super glue. It hurts much worse when I solder my fingers.......
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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UnkArl says:

I'd definitely be interested in a kit (I'm in the UK) - I'd talk my dad into breaking out his soldering iron.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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elv0000 says:

@Jon Senior- thanks

Hope the testing all goes well next week (and Stephen doesn't get paid off or assasinated before the source code hits the interweb :-))
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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sinistersworld says:

wat is RFM1 component?
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Jon_Senior says:

@poweredbysinister: It's an RFM12 not an RFM1. Go to www.hoperf.com.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Kurt Sowers says:

I'm definitely interested! What a worthwhile project. I'm formaly trained in electronics repair, though I don't make a living from it. At any rate, assembly/soldering is no problem - I love a good DIY project. I can perform testing and I've got some basic programming skills too. Anything I can do, let me know. I'm interested in 3-5 kits.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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madeinoz  Pro User  says:

@bilmorfoto:

The PIC is pretty well documented, however I'm in the process finalizing the design now, and will probably be AVR based (Atmega8/48/168) i.e. not PIC, While I love developing with the PIC, I feel there is better support for open development, which is one of the main factors here. I'm not against PIC but you do need specialist tools, i.e. programmer and the free c compilers are not at the same level as the AVRs. Also programmers for the AVR are very simple to make. Another factor...cheaper than PICS off the shelf.

The PIC16F88 was used in my initial prototype as I have some lying around so I needed to use someting to prove the concept.

@Kenkyee
Thanks for that, will probably get the first set of protoypes done via batchpcb, I've used them before for small runs, very well priced, just have a delay in getting them back sometimes, obviously depends on how quick they can fill up their batch.


In true hacker form, the final design now has an expansion bus incorporated that will allow the further develop of addition modules, e.g. if you want to have a module that will sequentially trigger 4 or more strobes, it can be done, or you want to trigger based on sound for that high speed shot, it can be done, you want an LCD interface....and so on.

For those technically minded, the Expansion bus has SPI, I2C and 4 additional I/O (6 if you dont use I2C) with an additional I/O dedicated as IRQ along with the TRIG_IN signal. So more than enough for future requirements :)


Stephen...
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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tuthdoc99 says:

I'm interested.....figure me for 4 units.....I'll probably brick the first one and I will need three functional ones.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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wybnormal  Pro User  says:

4 to 6 kits here.. also, the download link for the files is kaput. I have space on my server for hosting files if you need/want a mirror site.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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MichaelKirk says:

I'm definately in for a few - since I have been searching for the "Holy Grail" of remote triggers without going the PW route I'm all on board for a few...too many!

Although all the tech jargon is way above my head, the ideas and possibilities I am reading here look to hold some potential amazing results.

I'll put my vote in for a feature and pay super extra if anyone can add to the remotes the ability to control flash levels/output from remote flashes at the master - HEY, gotta ask! ;)

Michael
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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madeinoz  Pro User  says:

@wybnormal

Yes have to get to that sorry, between getting things finished at my REAL job before I start leave, answering everyones emails and finalizing the Triggr :) Anyway last day at work today for a couple of weeks woohoo!!!


Stephen...

Stephen...
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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browner1958 says:

Can it have more than one channel? I would hate to build the 6 I would need then have the high school kid next door build some. We'd both both be screwed. This of course is the fatal flaw of the Radio Popper one channel units.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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madeinoz  Pro User  says:

browner1958:

This unit is not channel limited, however the firmware will need to be written to handle this. The hardware can be programmed for any frequency in the ISM band of the module. In my prototype I had a single channel as it was simpler for testing. Once the kits get out there and some people with the knowledge to program them will be sure to release something to handle it....the beauty of open source :)

Stephen...
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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bilmorfoto says:

I was going to reply to your poll over on the forum that my vote goes to whichever processor has the best free/cheap development software and hardware, so what you say about AVR sounds good to me. Extra bonus points if there are good tools on Mac OS and/or Linux. (The last time I did microcontroller programming was assembly on a 68HC11 about 15 years ago, so I'm way out of touch with the current generation.)

Thanks for all your hard work!

Bill
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Apeshoot says:

Wait, I can solder, but how involved is programming them?
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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bilmorfoto says:

@Apeshoot: Programming it will be quite involved, but you won't have to deal with that unless you want to. It's just that some of us think that messing with the code is a big part of the fun. :)

@Stephen: Since you're talking about an expansion bus, will there be breadboard room on the card?

Oooohh, this is going to be fun!
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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funkworks says:

Hook me up with 7 - 8 of em.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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madeinoz  Pro User  says:

@bilmorfoto
Breadboard on the PCB. Well I had not thought of it, but now you've mentioned it....definately a possibility. When I start the PCB I guess it will depend on how much real estate I have left over and seeing I'm not using SMD I'm not too sure what I'll have atm. I would like to fit it into one of those small jiffy project boxes you can buy at just about any Electronics store. But I like the idea.

@apeshoot
You will only need to program if you want something other than the basic functionality. It will work with a basic firmware as I have to test it with something :) It appears that already the interest is there, so I don't think there will be problems in the firmware functionality evolving, and by designing in a serial port for a future boot loader, it will be fairly straight forward to update.

You download the firmware from the online website, hopefully a central library, you connect up your unit via a standard serial port and then you run the update program, after a second or two of blinking lights you will have the new update functional on your unit, of course you will need to do the same with all your other units if required, obviously this is a planned feature, but all is possible once we have the platform.

I'm hoping that this process and the availablility of the free and open tools will then spin off custom features that everyone will share, hey maybe someone can even make some money by developing custom modules for those that can't.

I would love to eventually see a nice simple to use a visual GUI to program the units for the non programmers, i.e. drag and drop blocks of functionality, push a button and hey presto it works!

Stephen...
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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David Sr. - says:

I bought a P-Box project "AM Radio" kit from radio Shack in the 70's, then build every kit they had.. have been hooked on soldering/projects/tinkering/DIY every since!

I'd LOVE to build a few! count me in.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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elv0000 says:

Quote" I would like to fit it into one of those small jiffy project boxes you can buy at just about any Electronics store"

Sounds sweet!

Quote" you connect up your unit via a standard serial port "

Does that mean it will have a big serial port? do you need a cable or does plug straight on to the PC serial port? could it be USB, I was reading wikipedia saying PC's often don't include serial ports anymore?
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Apeshoot says:

Whew. I'm still in then.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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stuff junkie says:

This sounds so cool! I'm in for 4 units. Thanks!
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Daryl Davis says:

I'm useless as a geek, but I can solder. I'm in for 4 - 6 kits.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Cream of Meat says:

Have iron will solder.

Send me a bunch!

Anyone notice in the schematic that it takes 3 AA batteries? Thats an odd number since my charger does sets of 2 or 4 at a time, and everything else uses 2 or 4...

Will this run off 3v, or does it need all 4.5?
Can that be rev 1.000001? runs off 2AA
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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bcohen5055 says:

Engineering student = Love this stuff!

Count me in for a few... or more
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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o7photographs says:

I'm game... 4 pieces,

I'm also able to design the housing in 3D in Solid Edge.

Would be nice if the housing could fit on the camera hot shoe and you could put another flash on top... but that would mean having different flash connectors for every camera brand :(
I'll think some about the housing...

Richard

---
www.urban-exploring.com
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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stuart updegrave  Pro User  says:

i'm interested in a chunk of these as well. probably 5.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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ttstam  Pro User  says:

I've got a good soldering setup over here, access to an oscope...

... and I've also got something that most people don't have. I own a 3D Printer, and a seat of Solidworks.

So if you need housings designed, I'd be more than happy to help out. I can then fabricate a set of prototype housings on my 3D Printer and send them back to you.

Also, if you need help with designing for plastic injection molding, gimme a holler.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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stuart updegrave  Pro User  says:

@ttstam -- i was wondering when you were going to weigh in on this thread! :)
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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PowersImagery.com  Pro User  says:

im in and can solder. Count me in for 6 kits.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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kenkyee says:

ttstam: drool...and you haven't used the 3D printer to design your own parabolic ringlight/beautylight yet??? ;-)
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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BoxCarPhoto says:

does 1 kit for 10 dollars = 1 unit, or 2 units?
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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mrjonathanpotter says:

I'm in for 4 sets, won't be much of a hard-core trouble shooter, but I know my way around a PCB.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Alfredk  Pro User  says:

Most deffinitely interested in this!
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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JAKN says:

I'm in for 3 or 4
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Crantastic says:

custom enclosure is begging for coolness. Surely the strobist crowd is above the "black box".

..waiting to place his order...
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Jon_Senior says:

As someone who has 2 cardboard snoots and 4 black straw gobos, all of which still have the original cereal box print on the outside, I'm all in favour of the "black box".
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Robertv! (Edinburgh, UK)  Pro User  says:

@navezskullz
I've just scanned the PDF docs for the parts.
The controller should work with two batteries but I'd suspect the RF side is getting a bit dodgy. The circuit should work well with 6v so there's no problem feeding with 4xAA for (6v or 4.8v.) I'd actually say it would likely be better, but the size is a problem.

A but awkward really, with 3xAA or 4xAA they'll be big.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Jon_Senior says:

@Robert: The power consumption should (not tested) be relatively low. 4xAAA would probably be fine. Otherwise since it's a DIY thing, those that wish can use Li-ion to make an über-slender version. ;-)
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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VibrantPhotographs says:

I have not picked up a soldering iron in a long time but I would likely be in for 3-6 (depending how many I fry with my soldering skills :-); but to be honest it depends on final price and tested functionality.......

I am sure you understand: I am not doing unreliable flee-bay crap again and while I would love to get rid of the chords I now use, they will stay unless the thing is usable or I swing enough $ for PW's :-).

I love the idea of a open source version that can be programmed (I am a programmer but not at the hardware level)... and I am hoping you guys can get this going!!! The extenders & firmware options open up some amazing possibilities (sound triggers e.t.c).
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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rodbotic says:

if you need a hand programming the AVR's I own and use often the stk500. and I have an registered(legal) copy of Eagle if the boards get beyond the free usage size, of the software. and know how to make boards all the way through to construction.

USB is an option but your looking at anywhere from $5 for a surfacemount chip to $40 for a dip package....FTDI232 or ftdi245
not exactly a cheap alternative....we could make a programmer out of one though...the FTDI245 allows Direct Port(PIN) control( Read and WRITE)

I am using this USB chip in a few projects coupled with AVR MEGA324.(onchip 8Mhz xtal).
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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BigImagePhotos... says:

We are gonna need 8 kits...
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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barakyedidia says:

My soldering sucks, but I'm in for 4 or 5 anyway.
Originally posted 53 months ago. (permalink)
barakyedidia edited this topic 53 months ago.

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madeinoz  Pro User  says:

@Robertv! (Edinburgh, UK)

The x3 AA were for the PIC that had a minimium voltage of around 4.0v and I was using NiMH. The Atmega design has a min voltage of 1.8v and the RF module of 2.7v and a max of 5V so should be fine on x2 AA. Really I'm just supplying the terminals so you can connect the battery pack of choice. as long as it meets min and max specs then all should be fine.

@ttstam

would love to chat offline as I don't have any 3D skills whatsoever and would like to see what could be done as far as housing designs. I would like to get some idea as I'm doing the PCB and it's easier to do the changes early on. Dang with a 3D printer I could have some real fun !!!

@rodbotic

Thanks for that but to keep costs down I think serial will be the go, I see there is even a usb 1.0 software solution for the atmega that is open and may be worth looking at down the track.

Stephen...
Originally posted 53 months ago. (permalink)
madeinoz edited this topic 53 months ago.

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browner1958 says:

I can see the black box hooked to a replacement hotshoe for a Vivitar 283...
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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jonXmack  Pro User  says:

I'm in for at least 4.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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