ehm, i give you some stats. I do have "please donate if you like" link, i mentioned it few times here and there (as well poeple who donated did it too) and honestly i did got together less than 300USD - in almost 3yrs. Not that i'm begging now for money, but simply telling the truth about donations.
Well, I know you are somewhat on "the other side", but... $300 isn't that bad. I think about "contribution" for hacking more like a tip, bonus, not real profit...
It was your choice to spend so many hours on this without thinking about future profits like him
Hardware reversing costs not only time but as well some lab resources, they need to be paid. So it's not for living.
[...] But other might not have that luck, so yes i understood why "djvinc" asked for money.
Well, when we are talking in general, I think there are two possible scenarios:
1) Someone already have skills, somewhat equipped lab. Then he buys a product for normal usage and start to tinker with it for pleasure / hobby.
2) Someone targets potentially hackable product, start to learn new skills, "invest" money for lab equipment or even additional people and in the end starts to sell the solution.
First scenario maybe is illigal in some countries, but usually morally acceptable.
But the second one? It's just organized crime... O0 Just like groups in Europe which hack cars immobilizers. Today you can buy this kind of device for 2003-2010 Volkswagen cars for about €400. You just plug it in OBD port, wait 10 seconds and start car with big screwdriver
I guess they also spend many hours and many euros for that...
Anyway - let's say 20 people payed him $140. Scope cost is covered (I don't think he had any other real expenses). And what after that? You think he will stop charging money for his solution?