Ultimate Nerd Watch (almost) - I want one....

[ScaleRobotics]

What's not to like in a watch that has:

3 axis accelerometer
barometer/altimeter
wireless data transceiver - good outdoors to over 200 feet
programmable with development tools included for just under $50.00 (ok, it would be even better if it were PBP compatible).

eZ430-Chronos


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDJIBydJvoM

http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/ez430-chronos.html?DCMP=Chronos&HQS=Other+OT+chronos

[cncmachineguy]

Walter what a great find! Is it really only $50? x-mas is almost here. People always want to know what to get me. If I could get it to become a wireless "usb drive" that would be most useful. No more leaving my keys in the office cuz I forgot to grab them from the usb port. Can we send it up in a plane?

[ScaleRobotics]

Is it really only $50?

It's $49.00 and shipping is free! (Don't ask me how I know that).:D

I wish Microchip had this kind of pricing strategy => https://estore.ti.com/MSP-EXP430G2-MSP430-LaunchPad-Value-Line-Development-kit-P2031.aspx

[rmteo]

TI has recently introduced several truly low-cost dev tools. How about this for $4.95 (shipping included)? A complete hardware (dev board, USB programmer and ICD debugger) and software (IDE and unlimited C compiler) for their value line 16-bit microcontrollers. Edit: Correct price is $4.30 - to match their MSP430 device.
http://focus.ti.com/graphics/tool/MSP-EXP30G2.jpg

[cncmachineguy]

I jealous! I can only assume you know through trial and error :) please keep us posted if I am correct. I am already starting the campaign for mine.

And yes that is a great strategy.

[rmteo]

I wish Microchip had this kind of pricing strategy....
Agreed. In the value (price/performance ratio) department, MC sure is lagging behind quite a few competitors - and not just with dev tools but with devices as well. In fact NXP, ST and TI have all recently introduced 32-bit ARM based devices at or below 8-bit PIC16 prices (<$1 in quantity).

[ScaleRobotics]

Sticking to my nerd theme, here are some cool projects people have done

Flying Mouse:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDL3JRG_zrs

Remote Control Car:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfffM5-XYOs

Theramin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV7xWMmI1PQ

Door Lock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqMbdQptdfw

And a Chronos wiki with some of the source code for the above projects:
http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/EZ430-Chronos

[SteveSterling]

That is great. I want one to tinker with.
Steve

[cncmachineguy]

Hey Walter, Did you order 1? I am curious if you did, did it ship yet?

[ScaleRobotics]

Yes, I ordered it, I could not help myself. Status shows and pending though, so it has not shipped yet. Their web site does not say that it is in or out of stock. I am guessing that they are out of stock at the moment. I ordered the 915 mhz one rather than the 433.

[cncmachineguy]

I too could not avoid the add to cart button. Mine processing, but also says payment pending. Not sure whats up with that, it wasn't pending went the charge went through.

Ok, thanks, I was just wondering if I was the lone ranger on the status part. Having never ordered from Ti direct, I wasn't sure if they would be like some other vendors where the status is processing until it delivers, then the status finally changes to delivered.

[ScaleRobotics]

I am at the payment authorized, but payment unprocessed stage. I too have never purchased from them, so I don't know if it is normal, or not.

So anyway, we will see if you are right about it showing up at the door, and then getting shipping confirmation.

[Megahertz]

Just out of interest, how expert you need to be to dev something interesting with this chrono dev set. Will some knowledge of PIC & PICbasic pro will help to get a start?

[ScaleRobotics]

how expert you need to be to dev something interesting with this chrono dev set. Will some knowledge of PIC & PICbasic pro will help to get a start?

Unfortunately, the development kit just lets you develop in C and assembly. So you will be limited in either what you can modify of pre-made C code and write in C, or doing it with assembly. Though it may be possible to interface the small usb accompanying transceiver with a PIC device. I see it connected to a lot of wires in the door unlocker video.

Either way, I think having knowledge in any programming language helps you learn another. But for some reason, C seems greek to me, and I've never been patient enough to do more than blink an LED with it. Maybe this will help me learn a little more C or assembly. Assembly is very useful with PicBasic, so in my opinion, it is good to learn. And so many programs are in C, and so many devices accept C, it would be a great language to learn, even just a little.

So it might come down to your definition of interesting.

[gadelhas]

Hi everyone;

When i saw this post, i was amazed with the watch, so last sunday( 10-10-2010), i ordered one. According with the status, it was sent on Monday 11, and in this momment it's in Paris France. I'm from Portugal, so i think next week it will arrive here!
When it arrives, i will tell you, and if you wont i will post some photos!!

[ScaleRobotics]

Well that's a little weird. I'm a lot closer to Texas, have no customs to worry about, and ordered mine 3 days sooner. Yet my shipment shows still pending. Go figure.

[cncmachineguy]

Well when I went through the checkout process, things like company name were required for customs purpose, so it did make me wonder if it was coming from Texas. I suspect maybe international orders are shipped from abroad, while domestic orders may be shipped from texas. But who knows, it may all be shipped from timbucktu.

[Megahertz]

Well, I am in the UK, just ordered one yesterday and today it was dispatched. Should be delivered tomorrow. Can't wait to see the gadget & understand what I won't until many attempts.

[ScaleRobotics]

Well, I am in the UK, just ordered one yesterday and today it was dispatched.

One more check because of the promising news from everyone in Europe.

.............My payment is still processing .......

Texas Instruments ... where are you....?

Thanks guys. Hope you work out the kinks while I get processed. :D

[gadelhas]

Hi Guys;

After all, i received the watch sooner than thought, received today. It was sent on last Monday (11).
here you can see the tracking.

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/2001/trackingc.th.jpg (http://img375.imageshack.us/i/trackingc.jpg/)

I trayed the software, and played a little with the accelerometer, but in this moment i don't have much time to play with it, but it seems nice. It apears that the range of the RF, it's only a few meters, but like i said i only played with it a few minutes!!

[ScaleRobotics]

Hi Guys;

After all, i received the watch sooner than thought, received today. It was sent on last Monday (11).
here you can see the tracking.
And it even came from Texas. I guess I need to call about my order....




I trayed the software, and played a little with the accelerometer, but in this moment i don't have much time to play with it, but it seems nice. It apears that the range of the RF, it's only a few meters, but like i said i only played with it a few minutes!! Cool, thanks for the info. About the range, here are some range tests that I found on their website. http://focus.ti.com/lit/an/swra169a/swra169a.pdf . It seems like the range should be better than you experienced. But maybe it is just in ideal situations, like no wrist near the watch ... etc.

[DavidK]

Walter what a great find! Is it really only $50? x-mas is almost here. People always want to know what to get me. If I could get it to become a wireless "usb drive" that would be most useful. No more leaving my keys in the office cuz I forgot to grab them from the usb port. Can we send it up in a plane?

My watch showed up Friday, took it out of the box, synced it to PC and that is how far I got. Too many honey-do's over the weekend, not enough play time. Looks good so far.

[cncmachineguy]

Update for me, sad to say, my status now shows estimated ship date of 11/12/2010!! Looks like I will be lucky to get it by christmas at this rate. Odd, it showed in stock when I ordered. I ordered the 915 also, I wonder if thats where we went wrong?

[ScaleRobotics]

Update for me, sad to say, my status now shows estimated ship date of 11/12/2010!! Looks like I will be lucky to get it by christmas at this rate. Odd, it showed in stock when I ordered. I ordered the 915 also, I wonder if thats where we went wrong?

Yes, so was mine. Maybe we went wrong picking 915 mhz? Anyway, so far, I am much happier with Microchip's store, and their efficiency. With Microchip, you get an estimated delivery date before you purchase, and in stock means in stock. But still looking forward to Thanksgiving......

[cncmachineguy]

But still looking forward to Thanksgiving......

You are more optimistic than I about this. I am hoping to get it this year! Unless of course you just mean the turkey dinners and such, now thats something to look forward to.

[rmteo]

I would order it from here EZ430-CHRONOS-915 (http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=296-25344-ND)
http://media.digikey.com/photos/Texas%20Instr%20Photos/MFG_EZ430-CHRONOS-xxx_sml.jpg
I have used them for over 10 years and they always ship same day if the item is in stock - there are currently 500+ units available. Even using their cheapest shipping method (USPS 1st. class mail), I usually receive the item in 2-3 days.

[ScaleRobotics]

Thanks rmteo,

Might be worth cancelling my current order to do that. Will give that a shot.

Walter

[rmteo]

I just did a trial order for the EZ-430 watch ($50). If you place the order before 6:00PM CST, it will ship out today and you will get a confirmation e-mail when it ships. If you select USPS 1st. class mail ($2.41) it should arrive in CA on Friday, or choose USPS Priority Mail ($5.05) and you should get it on Thursday. Either way, you will have it time to play with over the weekend.

[cncmachineguy]

Thanks RMTEO. Sounds like I am gonna cancel also. I have also always had great service with digikey. Thanks for the link.

[cncmachineguy]

Well cancelling is not an easy process, so far this is what I know:
Call 800 336-5236
press 2 (NOT caculators)
Wait with order number ready.


The wait part is where I fell down, after about 10 mins, I had to leave a message. We will see if I get a call back.

I gathered the above information after 3 phone calls to different Ti numbers. This is where I was told I should be. I was transferred by a caculator woman, She told me what to do. And the saga continues.

Meanwhile, I ordered from digikey and am sure I will have said product by end of week. :)

[ScaleRobotics]

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 660199
Dallas, TX 75266-0199

Phone:
972-995-2011

I had similar problems trying to find a valid number. But once I found it, I was routed imediately to a live person who told me the order would be cancelled.

[DavidK]

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 660199
Dallas, TX 75266-0199

Phone:
972-995-2011

I had similar problems trying to find a valid number. But once I found it, I was routed imediately to a live person who told me the order would be cancelled.

FYI, ordered mine from Mouser on 10/09, they shipped 10/11, I got it 10/14. I just checked and they have 49 in stock.

[ScaleRobotics]

FYI, ordered mine from Mouser on 10/09, they shipped 10/11, I got it 10/14. I just checked and they have 49 in stock.

Thanks David,

I just ordered from Digikey - shipped and will be here Friday. Only drawback is that I never can just order one item from Digikey or Mouser. My spontaneously combustible rechargeable lithium coin cell (different project) required my shipment to go by Fedex Air, instead of USPS. Now if something was going to spontaneously combust, wouldn't you rather have it happen on the ground? Oh well.

[prstein]

Well cancelling is not an easy process...
Meanwhile, I ordered from digikey and am sure I will have said product by end of week. :)

Bert,

If you wind up with both let me know. I'd be happy to take it off your hands at cost.

Best Regards,
Paul

[ScaleRobotics]

I thought this was pretty funny. I don't think there was any space left on the package for any more warning labels. If you look really hard, you can find the battery.

4874

As you can see, the single offending battery is smaller than a penny. But for some reason it is ok to have used lithium batteries on the passenger plane. Like the one for my laptop, ham radio, camera, cell phone, etc, etc etc. I probably carry 4 pounds of lithium batteries on the passenger plane, and yet that is perfectly fine. I don't get the regulations.

[cncmachineguy]

Thats VERY funny! Maybe its OK for you to have them on your person because you might be aware a fire has broken out. That way everyone will be able to panic properly.

Mine also arrived yesterday - GO DIGIKEY!! I had no warnings on the box, but I ordered it USPS.

I just need to figure out at least how to set the clock part. Then moving on to the more fun stuff.

[cncmachineguy]

Well, leave it to windoze to do it again. I throw in my disk, run the software, install the drivers (not signed). step 1 complete.
Insert RF acess point into a usb drive, winblows sees the device, starts to install it, then fails! anybody have any ideas? I'm running win 7-64. Seems to me I read somewhere a while back that unsigned drivers were not allowed in the kernal.

Any thoughts?

Everytime I try to do something with win 7, it seems to always be a problem. I am thinking about rolling back to XP, still winblows, but I had less problems it seems.

update :Well it seems to work now using a different usb port. Hmmmm

[rmteo]

How are you guys enjoying your TI watch? This is my favorite low-cost ($68) development tool STARTER KIT FOR STM32 512K FLASH (http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=497-8511-ND)

The Primer2 offers an innovative, ergonomic design with MEMS-based controls (navigate by tilting the tool left, right, backward or forward). In addition, based on the feedback of Primer users, we've packed Primer2 with an unprecedented range of new features to stimulate your creative ideas including:

* STM32F103E 32-bit MCU (512 Kbytes Flash, 64K RAM, DMA)
* Li-Ion battery with smart loading control for improved current management, battery autonomy (more than 6 hours), charging time and battery lifespan
* New interface possibilities:
o 128x160 pixel touch screen color TFT display
o Codec-based audio record and playback with headset connector and integrated microphone
o 4-direction joystick and push button
o 4 additional push buttons based on touchscreen capability
* New evaluation features:
o Micro SD card connector (with true SDIO interface)
o IrDA transceiver
o 20-pin add-on connector for access to SPI, I2C, USART, CAN and analog/digital I/Os
* Ergonomic design
* MEMs accelerometer for capture of the 3D-position information (implemented in navigation controls on the Primer)
* Mini USB for embedded applications that communicate with an external USB host

48754877

[cncmachineguy]

Bert,

If you wind up with both let me know. I'd be happy to take it off your hands at cost.

Best Regards,
Paul

Very kind of you to offer Paul, I did finally get the order cancelled according to Bill. If the cancellation doesn't wwork, I guess I won't know till late Nov!

[ScaleRobotics]

I just need to figure out at least how to set the clock part. Then moving on to the more fun stuff.

You might not have to take it apart yet. See the
Wireless Update (RF BSL) feature

http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/EZ430-Chronos

This is a big plus, (I think) but I have not tried it yet.

Update: I tried it, and now I have to take apart my watch. It started the firmware download and got stuck part way through. Now my watch is dark. Could me my wireless mouse USB dongle is in very close proximity of my watch dongle. After a manual firmware update to get the watch functional again, I retried the wireless firmware update with success.