DIY Bitcoin Blockclock | Bitcointalksearch.org

dkbit98

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Quote from: Kakmakr on January 16, 2024, 02:15:21 AM

Why go through all that trouble, if you can just re-purpose a old used cellphone?

Did you even read what I wrote or you just decided to write something randomly? Roll Eyes

And why would you use smartphone when you have old dumb phones works fine, and you should not use flat screens when old black&white tv and FM radio is working fine? Cheesy

Preev is only showing bitcoin price and you need browser to open the page.
BTClock is working independent and it shows much more information ( Block height, Sats per Dollar, Price, Time, Halving Countdown), all that in cool retro design.

SFR10

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Quote from: Kakmakr on January 16, 2024, 02:15:21 AM

Why go through all that trouble, if you can just re-purpose a old used cellphone?
~Snipped~
I can easily check the price of Bitcoin and some other Alt coins, just by clicking on the drop down button. (It auto updates)

You have a point, but it's worth noting that they're not limited to showing only the price ^{[you can display other Bitcoin-related stats, and some of them even allow you to display custom data that has nothing to do with Bitcoin]} and IMO, it improves almost any kind of setup ^{[design-wise]}.

Kakmakr

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Why go through all that trouble, if you can just re-purpose a old used cellphone?

I took a old used cellphone and fired up the browser and opened https://preev.pro or Preev.com and placed it on my desk.

I can easily check the price of Bitcoin and some other Alt coins, just by clicking on the drop down button. (It auto updates)

MoparMiningLLC

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Quote from: dkbit98 on January 15, 2024, 04:28:55 PM

Quote from: MoparMiningLLC on January 14, 2024, 12:35:34 PM

the one that is the same size as the BTClock is roughly $400

Than how big was nkv's coinkite clock in full size?

Quote from: MoparMiningLLC on January 14, 2024, 12:35:34 PM

I can share some opinions once I have both.

That would be nice.
I think BTClock have big advantage that you can customize and change it however you want.
Developer is constantly updating it and adding new versions.

Not sure how large the original was but its quite large with multiple lines. The one that the btclock is modeled after appears to look almost identical with most of the same visuals. It was 400 so still nearly twice the price as btcclock

dkbit98

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Quote from: TheBTCRat on January 12, 2024, 12:13:54 PM

I think I will get the DIY package and let you know how the build went.

I hope you know your way around soldering

Better first to read instructions and watch few videos before you start making your own DIY device.

Quote from: MoparMiningLLC on January 14, 2024, 12:35:34 PM

the one that is the same size as the BTClock is roughly $400

Than how big was nkv's coinkite clock in full size?

Quote from: MoparMiningLLC on January 14, 2024, 12:35:34 PM

I can share some opinions once I have both.

That would be nice.
I think BTClock have big advantage that you can customize and change it however you want.
Developer is constantly updating it and adding new versions.

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Quote from: dkbit98 on January 12, 2024, 11:42:37 AM

And that is mini, not full size version.
I could only imagine how much he would charge for regular big version, probably over $1000 Tongue

the one that is the same size as the BTClock is roughly $400

I have the coinkite one and have also ordered the BTClock one from @btc_hardware on twitter.

I should have that one next week - They look similar and have a lot of the same display features from what I have seen in videos/pictures.

I can share some opinions once I have both.

TheBTCRat

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This is a really nice machine. You need to buy the eInk displays and and a board but they are stupidly cheap on Ali.

I think I will get the DIY package and let you know how the build went.

Thanks for sharing this.

dkbit98

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Quote from: javierguajardo on January 12, 2024, 06:09:38 AM

Hey! Is this "BTClock" in the picture built by you? I'd like to get one but I'm really bad building stuff

All pictures are from official website, so it's not mine.
Don't even try building BTClock yourself if you don't know soldering and making your own stuff.
Like I said, there is assembled BTClock you can purchase from website.

Quote from: SFR10 on January 12, 2024, 09:14:14 AM

Indeed, it is ^{[a blockclock mini alternative for the price of a blockclock micro is an absolute steal]} and we can save almost €100 more ^{[minus shipping]} if we go with the DIY route.

And that is mini, not full size version.
I could only imagine how much he would charge for regular big version, probably over $1000 Tongue

SFR10

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Quote from: dkbit98 on January 11, 2024, 03:19:35 PM

Compared to $400 for nvk-mini, this is a bargain!

Indeed, it is ^{[a blockclock mini alternative for the price of a blockclock micro is an absolute steal]} and we can save almost €100 more ^{[minus shipping]} if we go with the DIY route.
^{- Nice catch}

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Quote from: dkbit98 on January 11, 2024, 03:19:35 PM

Few days ago I found a perfect open source alternative for expensive overpriced blockclock by coinkite(coldcard.
I am already boycotting all NVK-coldcard products and I hope he won't be angry and pissed (again) because someone made cheaper and better product (again) and made it open source.

Let me present you BTClock , made by Djuri B. from Netherlands.
Open-source block-shaped clock that is showing Bitcoin related information including Block height, Moscow Time (Sats per Dollar), Price, Time, Halving Countdown.

You can currently purchase BTClock fully assembled and tested for €190, or you can purchase individual parts and build it yourself.
It is using genius design with multiple small eInk displays mounted on top of PCB.
Compared to $400 for nvk-mini, this is a bargain!

https://www.talkimg.com/images/2024/01/11/sO4S1.jpeg https://www.talkimg.com/images/2024/01/11/sO79W.png

Build instructions:
https://github.com/btclock/btclock_v2/wiki

Source code: https://github.com/btclock

Official website: https://btclock.store/

Hey! Is this "BTClock" in the picture built by you? I'd like to get one but I'm really bad building stuff

dkbit98

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Few days ago I found a perfect open source alternative for expensive overpriced blockclock by coinkite(coldcard.
I am already boycotting all NVK-coldcard products and I hope he won't be angry and pissed (again) because someone made cheaper and better product (again) and made it open source.

Let me present you BTClock , made by Djuri B. from Netherlands.
Open-source block-shaped clock that is showing Bitcoin related information including Block height, Moscow Time (Sats per Dollar), Price, Time, Halving Countdown.

You can currently purchase BTClock fully assembled and tested for €190, or you can purchase individual parts and build it yourself.
It is using genius design with multiple small eInk displays mounted on top of PCB.
Compared to $400 for nvk-mini, this is a bargain!

Build instructions:
https://github.com/btclock/btclock_v2/wiki

Source code: https://github.com/btclock

Official website: https://btclock.store/

dkbit98

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Quote from: theduall on June 14, 2022, 06:27:53 AM

I've modified nixie clock from aliexpress to countdown bitcoin price. And glow red/green depending on the market.
Cannot release the firmware/source yet because my wifi credentials are built in, need to code some kind-of UI to add wifi.

It's looking very nice!
Are there any easy DIY tutorial how we can do it ourselves, and it is complicated or not?
I prefer smaller compact size of Blockclock Mini, but current market crash would only hurt more whenever I would look at it Cheesy

I guess I could just switch to mempool and transaction fees if that was possible.
Perfect device for me would be multipurpose device that could show both regular time, bitcoin info or any other info.

theduall

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Quote from: DaveF on June 04, 2022, 06:08:49 PM

Kind of like the voltage goat nixie price tickers.

I've modified nixie clock from aliexpress to countdown bitcoin price. And glow red/green depending on the market.
Cannot release the firmware/source yet because my wifi credentials are built in, need to code some kind-of UI to add wifi.

Here's how it looks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdwItoQubqM

https://i.imgur.com/Y7j3lsS.jpg

DaveF

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Quote from: dkbit98 on June 04, 2022, 04:07:00 PM

Quote from: SFR10 on June 04, 2022, 11:41:30 AM

I hate to break it to you, but currently, they're asking for "$149" to reserve it ^{[I guess the price could only grow in the future]}.

Nice catch! I didn't saw they added it in Coinkite store already.
Nah I won't spend that much money plus shipping fees for Blockclock Micro, even if I like it, but I think that Coinkite/Coldcard is ripping people off... and I understand they are trying to make a living from this.

AT $150 it's a little expensive but not out of hand. For whatever reason they are not using off the shelf parts so there is a much larger cost then just using a stock RPi zero and an off the shelf display. The rest of it does not look that bad in terms of cost. Now, why they went non 'standard' components instead of something that can be bought everywhere is a valid question. But to design & test & build what is probably going to be a limited production run item does have a cost behind it. And they are building it domestically not in China / someplace cheap so a bit more cost there too.

Kind of like the voltage goat nixie price tickers. The standard parts that make them up are not that much, the custom built items like they do...that will cost you.
Separate non BTC nixie thing but political, if you want a nixie clock order one from here: https://nixieshop.com/store.html

-Dave

dkbit98

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Quote from: SFR10 on June 04, 2022, 11:41:30 AM

I hate to break it to you, but currently, they're asking for "$149" to reserve it ^{[I guess the price could only grow in the future]}.

Nice catch! I didn't saw they added it in Coinkite store already.
Nah I won't spend that much money plus shipping fees for Blockclock Micro, even if I like it, but I think that Coinkite/Coldcard is ripping people off... and I understand they are trying to make a living from this.

SFR10

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Quote from: dkbit98 on June 04, 2022, 03:13:23 AM

but I don't know how much it is different from older models,

Based on the description part of the product in question, they should be the same:

Quote from: dkbit98 on June 04, 2022, 03:13:23 AM
I don't know how much they will charge for this product, but it should be much cheaper than Blockclock Mini and I would probably buy it if it was below $100.
I hate to break it to you, but currently, they're asking for "$149" to reserve it ^{[I guess the price could only grow in the future]}.

dkbit98

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I always like Blockclock Mini that is mady by Coinkite aka Coldcard, but I wanted something even smaller so I investigated all possible DIY solutions.
According to recent news and NVK tweet, Coinkite is working on releasing their newest device called Blockclock Micro that looks just about perfect for my taste.
We can see this new device is showing market price for Bitcoin, but I don't know how much it is different from older models, and what options it has.
I don't know how much they will charge for this product, but it should be much cheaper than Blockclock Mini and I would probably buy it if it was below $100.

https://twitter.com/nvk/status/1532785626944311296

DaveF

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Quote from: dkbit98 on December 05, 2021, 06:53:31 AM

Quote from: DaveF on December 04, 2021, 05:11:02 PM

Will the clock work with the replacement?
https://shop.m5stack.com/collections/stack-series/products/m5stack-core2-esp32-iot-development-kit

It should work just fine and I don't see any big difference in those two devices.
They are both ESP32 based and if you check parameters on both pages you will see that they are almost identical, same display, same processor, same SRAM,
and only difference I noticed is touch screen on device you want to purchase and better 390mAh battery.

EDIT:
This is even better option M5Stack Core2 ESP32 AWS (has ATECC608 secure element)

The screen is what actually concerned me, but I left it as a general question.
In theory it should not matter, however I have had a few RPi projects that specified non touch screens that got a bit off when you used touch ones.
Mostly because they did not expect the input. I know enough about RPi / linux to disable the touch part and they were better. But I don't know crap about the this unit or how to disable the touch screen input.

With that being said I ordered the Amazon one you linked above.

-Dave

dkbit98

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Quote from: DaveF on December 04, 2021, 05:11:02 PM

Will the clock work with the replacement?
https://shop.m5stack.com/collections/stack-series/products/m5stack-core2-esp32-iot-development-kit

It should work just fine and I don't see any big difference in those two devices.
They are both ESP32 based and if you check parameters on both pages you will see that they are almost identical, same display, same processor, same SRAM,
and only difference I noticed is touch screen on device you want to purchase and better 390mAh battery.

EDIT:
This is even better option M5Stack Core2 ESP32 AWS (has ATECC608 secure element)

DaveF

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Quote from: dkbit98 on May 07, 2021, 04:35:35 AM

Here is released github code v0.5 with instructions for creating your won BlockClock Micro device that is ten times cheaper than original BlockClock Mini.
In theory this should even work on cheaper esp32 devices but I didn't test it myself so I can't confirm it.

Quote

INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1) Follow this guide using M5Burner to flash the UIFlow firmware to your device.

Step 2) Ensure your device is connected to the IDE via WiFi before proceeding. If it is not connected, you will not be able to upload the code and images. You will need to reset the device in order for the IDE to detect the device.

Step 3) Upload the micropython code to the UIFlow IDE. To do this, open the blockclock_v0.5.py file in a text editor, and then copy and paste the code into UIFlow under the "Python" tab.

Step 4) Insert your WiFi SSID beside wlan_AP = and your WiFi password beside wlan_PW = in the code before flashing the device.

Step 5) Upload the images via the Device File Manager icon near the top right of the IDE. Add them one by one.

Step 6) Click the "Run" icon beside the Device File Manager icon to flash the firmware to your device.

Enjoy!

https://github.com/kkdao/micro-blockclock

I just opened an issue on github, but figured I would post here if anyone else knows

The linked m5stack is EOL: https://shop.m5stack.com/products/basic-core-iot-development-kit?variant=16804801937498
Will the clock work with the replacement?
https://shop.m5stack.com/collections/stack-series/products/m5stack-core2-esp32-iot-development-kit

I was going to get myself an early Christmas present but since that one is not around I'll go for the pyblockmicro that dkbit98 posted.

-Dave

Topic: DIY Bitcoin Blockclock (Read 577 times)