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View Poll Results: Should I buy a pi

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  • Yes buy a new model

    11 61.11%
  • Yes but old model to start

    2 11.11%
  • Nah don't waste the cash

    5 27.78%
  • You can have mine

    0 0%
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  1. #1
    DF Admin Teajunkie's Avatar
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    Advice I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    Have I missed out not buying one of these?

    I haven't had any need for a media player as I have almost every type going.
    If anything I wouldn't mind playing about with one but can't most of this be done on a pc?

    i looked at NFC / RFID which seems interesting along with home automation but thinking the kit price would soon mount up making it an expensive toy.

    what do you use yours for and how much use have you actually had out of it?
    Have you joined the DF discord server. https://discord.com/invite/YajVGQxDaw

  2. #2
    DF Admin maltloaf's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    I got mine when they were new. Impressive kit for the money and size but do require some work to get the best out of. If you're a tinkerer like me you'll enjoy setting it all up but if you just want an end result there are much easier ways of getting there.
    Facebook: http://facebook.com/maltloaf Garmin Connect: http://connect.garmin.com/profile/maltloaf_df
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    Teajunkie (3rd February 2015)  


  3. #3
    DF Moderator EvilBoB's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    I got the first model the day it launched and it runs XBMC well enough (Well I use Openelec). Don't really use it anymore though as Plex has taken over my household on Roku's, XBox's and even my LG TV
    DF Moderator
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    Teajunkie (3rd February 2015)  


  4. #4
    DF VIP Member Squizza's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    I use mine as Subsonic Servers, VPN boxes etc... Very handy especially when they just run off a spare USB port.

    Thanks to Squizza

    Teajunkie (3rd February 2015)  


  5. #5
    DF Admin Teajunkie's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    I was up your way last Friday evilbob.
    we had to take eldest to an interview at Northampton uni. (she was offered a place providing her grades are as predicted)
    so may have to pop in for a cuppa if she goes there when we visit
    Have you joined the DF discord server. https://discord.com/invite/YajVGQxDaw

  6. #6
    DF Admin Teajunkie's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    Ooh my birthday on the 28th and it looks like my missus has just ordered me one through my RS account.

    shes a nosey bitch she thought I was looking at porn when I was drooling at the pictures.
    Have you joined the DF discord server. https://discord.com/invite/YajVGQxDaw

  7. #7
    DF VIP Member blacksheep's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    Just beware rfid/nfc for locks etc might invalidate your insurance. If you want to do something simple like turn on heating/lights when you're at home then just search the local network every 5 mins for the Mac address of your phone (presuming it's set to auto connect).

    2 Thanks given to blacksheep

    Over Carl (8th March 2015),  Teajunkie (9th February 2015)  


  8. #8
    DF Moderator EvilBoB's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    Quote Originally Posted by blacksheep View Post
    Just beware rfid/nfc for locks etc might invalidate your insurance. If you want to do something simple like turn on heating/lights when you're at home then just search the local network every 5 mins for the Mac address of your phone (presuming it's set to auto connect).
    Sorry to drag this one back from the grave but I'm looking at doing something similar with my new place. Interesting what you mention about invalidating insurance. I've seen a few devices out there for remote locking that essentially fit over your existing locks so you can still use the original manual process. Any better suggestions?
    DF Moderator
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  9. #9
    DF VIP Member Squizza's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    I am about to embark on building an Alexa box with mine.
    I really want Amazon to release the Echo speaker in the UK but for now I am going to play with it on the Pi.

    I have also just received an Orange Pi after getting one cheap from Gearbest. It should do all things the standard Pi can do but with a little more ooompf.

    Also I want to build a weather station, but there are some projects on kickstarter that make it not worthwhile on the Pi (Bloomsky)

  10. #10
    DF Super Moderator piggzy's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    Would be interested to hear about the Orange Pi after you have had a play. Are there different versions??

    Thanks.

  11. #11
    DF VIP Member Squizza's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    Many different versions. I have the Pro with A7 chip but no wifi or Bluetooth. There is a pro plus for $20 with wifi or a lite version for $12 again with wifi but half the ram and no audio out.

    The only killer is finding the right bloody adapter to power the thing. It uses the barrel style ones and I have not managed to get the right size yet.

  12. #12
    DF VIP Member Squizza's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    FINALLY the correct power cable arrived today.. I will give this a whirl over the next few days and report back.

    Thinking of using the Orange Pi to be an Alexa device first but I have also received the camera module for it, which was a fraction of the Pi camera cost (probably for a good reason) and so I am thinking of using this one in the garden as a camera for timelapse images and to power my garden speakers/stream music.

  13. #13
    DF VIP Member akimba's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    Is it worth buying? Have you seen Mr Robot :-0

  14. #14
    DF VIP Member Squizza's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    Haha yeah.

    It's well made kit, just need to power it up and give it a go. Apparently it runs the same image as a Pi and has the same GPIO pins so should be straight forward.
    You just get the bonus of more memory, a built in Mic etc...

  15. #15
    DF Admin Teajunkie's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    Just a quick update on this thread.

    So after having my two pi's for almost two years i have done absolutely fuck all with them!
    I messed about putting kodi on one of them but then it went in the cupboard and has stayed there since.

    They both have cases, wifi dongles and remotes with remote eye pickups both are still in the boxes they came in but not sure if these are worth keeping or selling on?
    TBH im a bit of a twat where i get stuff i like the look of and then cant be bothered to do anything with so it gets shelved.
    Have you joined the DF discord server. https://discord.com/invite/YajVGQxDaw

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    piggzy (23rd January 2017)  


  16. #16
    DF Super Moderator piggzy's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    PMSL. I just posted a thread on the Asus alternative and was thinking about maybe trying to talk myself into one but I know I will do the exact same as you. 12 months time it will still be doing fuck all.

    We all do it :-) I assume.

    Thanks to piggzy

    Teajunkie (23rd January 2017)  


  17. #17
    DF Admin Teajunkie's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    LOL yeah i have loads of gadgets and stuff laying about i haven't ever touched.

    It must be a man thing
    Have you joined the DF discord server. https://discord.com/invite/YajVGQxDaw

  18. #18
    DF Admin maltloaf's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    I'm a terror for this. I buy something. Fiddle with it like mad for a few days/weeks then forget it ever existed !

    malty
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    Teajunkie (23rd January 2017)  


  19. #19
    DF Super Moderator
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    I did the same, got a couple of the originals, put kodi on there as a test then never used them. Ended up donating them to a member on here for his work with children to print prosthetic arms with a 3D printer so they went to a good home

    Thanks to evilsatan

    Teajunkie (23rd January 2017)  


  20. #20
    DF Super Moderator piggzy's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm still to buy one but is it worth it?

    I think if you are like me, you sort of have some grand master plan at the back of your mind that you will end up making a robot and taking over the world with a couple of Pi's.

    In reality you bung kodi on it run a media server or maybe NAS and that is that.

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