Monthly Archives: August 2018

GL iNET MT300N V2 Mini Router

General

I recently bought this low-cost Mini-router without having a clear idea of how to use it, other than to somehow get past the RIDICULOUS GEO-restrictions that providers such as the BBC and others put on their TV content. My MT300N (Mango) is yellow incidentally, like the photo. Only today after very carefully reading the instructions and comparing to other routers did I realise what a winner it really is, or could be if I could get it to vpn connect reliably.

router Continue reading GL iNET MT300N V2 Mini Router →

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ESP-GO Update–the ILI9340 QD-TECH drivers

General

There’s a discussion going on in here about the M5 Stack and one of the guys says he wants to use ESP8266 – now then is possibly a good time to announce that I’ve been updating the code in ESP-GO for  the ILI9340 and QD-Tech displays. It is all in the doc file but here are some pics… An ESP-12 board plus cheap display..

ILI9340

Above the ILI9340 and below the smaller and lower res QD-Tech display board, both dirt cheap, in the example below, boxed up on the wall as a stat display…. I’ve added the option to re-purpose gpio4 and 5 in ESP-GO for a maximum of 3 auto responders on input state change (trigger2, trigger4 and trigger5) making a thermostat display with buttons a snap.

QD_TECH in a box, reversed out display

For the DIY-er on a budget, this is a very inexpensive solution. The display layout of course is not fixed, you can set up your frame, select fonts and update icons as you see fit in Node-Red or other high level environment. The QD_Tech board is lower res than the ILI9340 but I got a bunch of suitable boxes from Ebay for just £3 each some time ago.  The light you see is driven by one of those touch sensitive plates we discussed in the blog some time ago. In reality I will end up using 3 tiny buttons.

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Goral S7 0.96” IPS Colour Blood Pressure Watch

Goral S7 watch

Today’s post got off to a good start with this colour sports watch with pulse, blood pressure and blood sugar level indication, but all of that is just icing on the cake – the watch is beautiful. I own a Gear S2 Classic and by comparison, many watches look pathetic and for a tiny fraction of the cost of the S2, my hopes were not high but I have to say the Goral S7 is lovely. The watch came from Banggood – details below..

Goral S7 0.96" IPS Color Screen Blood Pressure Smart Watch--  https://goo.gl/xStxH2

More Smart Wristbands --  https://goo.gl/sjjoFn

EU Warehouse -- https://goo.gl/kzCXCR

Goral S7

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The M5 Stack

ESP32, General

M5StackThe M5 Stack looks to be a reasonable use of the ESP32 and for those who need to start from a boxed product with display, it might just have a bright future.

In a nutshell this is a pretty looking ESP32-based box with display and buttons. Do with it what you will. It needs low voltage and the basic unit comes with internal battery supply. instructions, 0.1” pin leads and a USB C lead for charging and serial connection.

The M5 Stack Extensible Micro Control Module WiFi Bluetooth ESP32 Development Kit or Core Module --  https://goo.gl/Ux6AHL
More Arduino Compatible SCM & DIY Kits --  https://goo.gl/QRDLD6

M5 stackI just HAD to order one and so I thought I’d put a note in here for people into the ESP32 and I’m already seeing responses including a useful note from Bob H and comments from others.  All in all I’m already convinced I need this gadget on my hallway wall even though I’m not yet entirely sure what to do with it. Perhaps people who are ahead of me might write in soon to save me re-inventing the wheel.

Continue reading The M5 Stack →

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Mini ES120 Motion Control Screwdriver

ES120 Mini Screwdriver

ES120 ScrewdriverA long-awaited little tool turned up for me this morning, the ES120 motion control electric screwdriver.

The unit operates off an internal Lithium battery and charges by micro-USB. Operation could not be easier. Hold in the button and the screwdriver starts. It is also reverse-able, obviously. Direction is controlled by rotating the screwdriver while holding the button.

When plugged into USB on your computer, you can download and replace the firmware by entering DFU mode, instructions are provided in English and Chinese.

Here are relevant Banggood links (now working):

MINI ES120 Mini Motion Control Screwdriver --  https://goo.gl/P1bj9w 
More Professional Tools --  https://goo.gl/gCKmcs 
EU Warehouse -- https://goo.gl/kzCXCR

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TV Technology

TV

I constantly have several computer projects on the go at once and thanks to the likes of WinSCP etc I can run several real and virtual computers on the same screen, all fighting for screen area and of course hide-able and re-sizeable. This has been the norm for some years.

Meanwhile despite tremendous advances in quality and (long overdue) increase in density), our TV screens have no such concept as virtual HDMI. How I would love to simply have one large screen attached to half a dozen gadgets using virtual HDMI inputs on the TV.

Reasonable?

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