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Show HN: I built this notifying device – electronics, code, design, marketing

notifon.net

11–20 of 58 posts

Re: Show HN: I built this notifying device – electronics, code, design, marketing

#11

This is cool marketing but it is way expensive than I expected. I am not sure pricing is DIY-friendly but you would certainly find people to buy that.

I use a technology called ZigBee. It's a wireless protocol made for Internet of Things devices. This part represent about 60% of the production cost. This chip is expensive but gives years of battery life. Curious about what price did you expected?

Re: Show HN: I built this notifying device – electronics, code, design, marketing

#12

Looks great! Out of curiosity, why go with the hub/node approach using ZigBee for sending such a small amount of data? There are WiFi modules like TI's CC3000 ( http://www.ti.com/product/cc3000 ) available for very low cost that would make separate hub hardware unnecessary. This is the product used in Spark Core ( https://www.spark.io/ ), for example. I imagine there are a few different reasons why you might spring f…

I know, it's all about the battery life (about years). The ZigBee chip require only 40mA in transmit and less than 1uA on idle mode... You can't do the same with a WiFi chip, ask Spark... Also, with Hub/Node there is no "association" need like entering the WPA key. It's all automatic

Re: Show HN: I built this notifying device – electronics, code, design, marketing

#13
interesting, it looks like you spent a lot of time on it, congrats on launching. Did you also consider using zwave over zigbee? I've been looking at installing a zwave hub and a few light switches, motion sensors and thermostat. Care to compare/contrast?

Re: Show HN: I built this notifying device – electronics, code, design, marketing

#14
That sounds cool! I do recommend you highlight a few practical use cases, i.e. what benefits does (or will) it provide? Try to lead with why rather than with what. It took me a long time to realise they're all the way at the bottom.

I also recommend not repeating the words "notifying object" so often - right now my eyes might go from: "Notifon, the notifying object." (1st headline) to "Transform any object into a notifying object!" (2nd headline) to "Notifon / Transform any object into a notifying object" (video) to "Preorder now" to "Notifon is a wireless Internet-connected device that sends you instant notifications based on real life events." and I've learned little more than the 1st headline told me.

Thanks for sharing this and good luck with your crowdfunding campaign!

Re: Show HN: I built this notifying device – electronics, code, design, marketing

#15
post #13

interesting, it looks like you spent a lot of time on it, congrats on launching. Did you also consider using zwave over zigbee? I've been looking at installing a zwave hub and a few light switches, motion sensors and thermostat. Care to compare/contrast?

Thanks, Z-Wave is also a good technology but I hate the "association" part, when you need to be at least 3 feets from the Hub. I don't think Z-Wave will survive in the next 5 years. Look at Philips Hue, they also chose ZigBee.

Re: Show HN: I built this notifying device – electronics, code, design, marketing

#16

That sounds cool! I do recommend you highlight a few practical use cases, i.e. what benefits does (or will) it provide? Try to lead with why rather than with what . It took me a long time to realise they're all the way at the bottom. I also recommend not repeating the words "notifying object" so often - right now my eyes might go from: "Notifon, the notifying object." (1st headline) to "Transform any object into a no…

Thanks for those good recommendations, I think you're so right with the "notifying object" words! I think the Indiegogo page is better, I'll merge it with the main website.

Re: Show HN: I built this notifying device – electronics, code, design, marketing

#17
post #3

That you managed to do everything is impressive, especially given the costs involved in production tooling for plastics. I assume you had to build a large quantity of PCBA's as well, to get your per unit cost down to something you could actually make a profit on, which means that was another large check you had to write for components and assembly. Can you give a ball park figure for how much you invested, bringing t…

Thank you. In fact, I haven't yet launch the mass production. I'm running a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to have at least 400 preorders. As I have done a lot myself, I didn't had to invest so much. The only part that was done outside is the design of the plastic enclosure. I found a good designer in china, it cost me only 700$ for both Node and Hub with 3D printed prototype. In total, I think I spent about 1500…

  The only part that was done outside is the design of
  the plastic enclosure. I found a good designer in china
Would you mind sharing how you located this designer/plastic shop? I've had mixed results with mecheng partners outside of my personal network, so I'm always curious about how others do it..

Re: Show HN: I built this notifying device – electronics, code, design, marketing

#18
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you. In fact, I haven't yet launch the mass production. I'm running a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to have at least 400 preorders. As I have done a lot myself, I didn't had to invest so much. The only part that was done outside is the design of the plastic enclosure. I found a good designer in china, it cost me only 700$ for both Node and Hub with 3D printed prototype. In total, I think I spent about 1500…

The only part that was done outside is the design of the plastic enclosure. I found a good designer in china Would you mind sharing how you located this designer/plastic shop? I've had mixed results with mecheng partners outside of my personal network, so I'm always curious about how others do it..

I found him on elance.com

Re: Show HN: I built this notifying device – electronics, code, design, marketing

#19

Looks great! Out of curiosity, why go with the hub/node approach using ZigBee for sending such a small amount of data? There are WiFi modules like TI's CC3000 ( http://www.ti.com/product/cc3000 ) available for very low cost that would make separate hub hardware unnecessary. This is the product used in Spark Core ( https://www.spark.io/ ), for example. I imagine there are a few different reasons why you might spring f…

We use a wifi module in a battery operated environment (we kill power to the module when it isn't in use).

It uses about 225mA @ 3.2V.

The connection/handshaking take about 5-7 seconds to talk to a local server, plus the time for whatever data you are sending.

When talking to an internet based server, the connection time can extend out to 20+ seconds.

So you can see wifi isn't the greatest choice for low power/battery operated environments.

(Now on something you don't mind recharging a few times a week, it is perfect.)

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