EEVblog #294 - Mailbag (mobile phone camera, voltage logger, rotary encoder)

[nitro2k01]

Evil grin time: I believe the theme of the day is bridges! You can see the bridges in the photo from Prague, but at 08:14 there's also a bridge on the board, at Q3.

[Zad]

Great little video. I love to see kits that people make, it really shows what sort of innovation people get up to in their own sheds (spare bedroom, kitchen, etc). The instructions put some big commercial suppliers to shame. I love seeing the stamps too - I guess that's the geeky part of me.

I believe Sarajevo is famous for it's bridge too. Wasn't that where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed, which lead to the First World War? The bridge on the PCB is to link out a transistor, see the errata in the accompanying letter.

[m12lrpv]

A general question for Dave related to this is whether or not he wants people sending in their old electronic gear for tear downs?

I've got an old Nintendo DS than might prove interesting however I would be reluctant to send it because I don't want Dave to think he's a dumping ground for everyone's old junk.

[DarkPrince]

Dave,

I am not sure of your schedule, but was wondering what comes of these kits after the episode? Such that, do you assemble them all, or maybe something you wouldn't want to disclose.  I know it depends on your availability and how busy your schedule is. Just seeing a lot of kits coming in. I know we have seen a small handful of devices in action... though suppose it really depends if it is presentable on your blog. Would it be a better potential to see devices in action if they were pre-assembled and operated in a stand-alone environment?

Note I do understand that it is just going over what people send you, and it isn't an attempt at advertising space. I suppose in the long run it wouldn't be feasible to assemble,debug, and present the devices which would require quite a bit more time than it does now.

Anyway, great episode. I do love them, and it is always interesting to see what people send you. The only thought I have is that some of these kits are part of a larger setup, and the usability in some situations is minimal. Kind of like "I got a spare module/kit so lets send it to Dave", though only relevant to small devices (unlike the external camera for phone, which i'd consider exempt).

[Psi]

From memory, he said that the mailbag segment is just that, opening packages.

Nothing really happens after packages arrive (except now he has some extra parts in his junkbox )
It's just for people to get interesting stuff (or stuff they've made) on the blog and maybe get some free advertising.

Sometimes he might get a product that "he" really likes or that's interesting and do another video on it.
But that the exception rather than the rule and people shouldn't send him stuff expecting anything further to happen once the package is opened.

Correct me if that's wrong.

[EEVblog]

Dave,

I am not sure of your schedule, but was wondering what comes of these kits after the episode? Such that, do you assemble them all, or maybe something you wouldn't want to disclose.

Mostly they are of no immediate relevance for me, so I just show them off, have a small play and they go into the kit basket maybe for future use.
The idea of the mailbag (apart from people actually liking watching me open my mail for some reason) is so that the midnight engineer can gets some exposure for their product/kit or whatever on the blog, a much bigger audience than they could otherwise reach. As well as showing potentially interesting stuff to viewers as well. And personally I think that's a rather good use of my blogs popularity, to help highlight what other people are doing. I think it's a format that is a win for everyone.
Because I'm always getting request from people to review their kit or product or whatever, and often that's difficult as full reviews take quite some time to produce, so I've had to turn down most peoples requests in the past. Which is a shame, because I like giving small producers some exposure.

The rotary encoder kit for example though, I plan to build that up (and film it too) as I think it might be fun and handy. And to kepp quiet those who complain I don't do enough soldering videos!

I know it depends on your availability and how busy your schedule is. Just seeing a lot of kits coming in. I know we have seen a small handful of devices in action... though suppose it really depends if it is presentable on your blog. Would it be a better potential to see devices in action if they were pre-assembled and operated in a stand-alone environment?
Note I do understand that it is just going over what people send you, and it isn't an attempt at advertising space. I suppose in the long run it wouldn't be feasible to assemble,debug, and present the devices which would require quite a bit more time than it does now.

Sure, and that's what full reviews are for.
A good review is going to take a full days work though, so I can't do this for everyone.
The mailbag though is pretty easy, it only takes not much more time than you see in the final video.
Those that personally interest me might get a second standalone video, like the Gecko micro board for example.

Anyway, great episode. I do love them, and it is always interesting to see what people send you. The only thought I have is that some of these kits are part of a larger setup, and the usability in some situations is minimal. Kind of like "I got a spare module/kit so lets send it to Dave", though only relevant to small devices (unlike the external camera for phone, which i'd consider exempt).

Yes, I'd rather people not send me something that just a spare board or whatever, and useless on it's own or whatever, it needs to be interesting for people.
I haven't opened a package yet though that's not worthy of at least a quick overview.
In any case the mailbag format seems to be working, and seems to be very popular, which I find rather surprising. So I'll continue to run with it. I can only go by the number of views and the comments and feedback (which are 99% positive)

BTW, that camera did make for an interesting teardown which I have already shot.

Dave.

[EEVblog]

From memory, he said that the mailbag segment is just that, opening packages.
Nothing really happens after packages arrive (except now he has some extra parts in his junkbox )
It's just for people to get interesting stuff (or stuff they've made) on the blog and maybe get some free advertising.
Sometimes he might get a product that "he" really likes or that's interesting and do another video on it.
But that the exception rather than the rule and people shouldn't send him stuff expecting anything further to happen once the package is opened.
Correct me if that's wrong.

You are right.
No one should expect me to build a kit, or fully review and exercise a product etc.
For example, that Renesas board got tossed aside once it didn't install properly. And that logic analyser just got 10 minutes worth of mucking around with it.
But if sometime interests me enough, you might get the full whiteboard treatment and a separate video or whatever, you just never know.
I'm fickle 

Dave.

[DarkPrince]

In regards to Dave's (EEVblog) and Psi's comments,

Yes you are exactly right and I do see where you are going with this. I had envisioned more 'hobby' level boards (though, what I am seeing on the forums by quite a few people  I would consider superior to 'hobby' level). I suppose overall I was just surprised by the amount of 'diy' kits that's being sold via online stores (though who isn't these days), but I believe that was due to my own ignorance at the magnitude of kit designers/sellers on the internet. I was more of thinking along the lines: someone handing off a 'homemade' stand-alone device, assembled, with all required hardware to make it operate. I am referring to smaller widgets (small pcb for bread-board psu, Simon clone, usb power source clone, decoration, etc.). What you'd comment on it within five minutes, or there about. No official review of course... I agree that at a mass scale it'd swamp your schedule. I do see though, a lot of boards are not ready to be powered right up out of package, and would take time (and possibly effort) to condition them to be demonstrated. Selectivity isnecessity.

But you are also absolutely right. The benefit of smaller companies or groups which desire to sell electronic devices in either kit/pre-assembled form would benefit from the exposure of your blog, and that's exactly why they send you stuff! I am glad it is working out, I think it is a great idea, and enjoy watching the series. Thank you.