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Kode Dot Programmable pocket device for makers, pentesters and geeks

kode.diy

21–30 of 39 posts

Re: Kode Dot Programmable pocket device for makers, pentesters and geeks

#21

Their main selling point is that "most projects die in the setup: a screen, buttons, power and sensors to wire up before you can even begin". With their product, you get plug-and-play blocks for everything. But that idea has been tried many times before. It's Aduino "shields", Beaglebone "capes", an entire ecosystem of Raspberry Pi accessories, etc. Maybe it'll take off this time around, especially if they can make i…

No, it starkly contrasts the RPi ecosystem because it has an "all in one" main unit, which works without shields, cables, extra cases, etc. It's approximately as self-contained as a mobile phone. But on top of that it offers GPIO pins.

Re: Kode Dot Programmable pocket device for makers, pentesters and geeks

#22
I understand the rationale, but it looks like they decided to go the Sisyphean route on this.

ESP32-C5 ~$10

ESP32-P4 ~$5

Display ~$10

Case is maybe 90 cents (let's round to $1) if you print out of ABS.

The rest of the components? Let's say another $15 worst case.

~$41 or around that much? Sure, but definitely not ~$193.

Re: Kode Dot Programmable pocket device for makers, pentesters and geeks

#23
For £160 you can buy three JC1060P470, 7 inch proto-tablet systems with the same P4+C5 stack, with GPIO, ethernet in some models.

I get that the expense here is miniaturising and integration, but even at half the RRP, I'd be wincing. The maker market knows how to work out a napkin-BOM, and knows that this is a lot of money for what you're getting.

Re: Kode Dot Programmable pocket device for makers, pentesters and geeks

#24
post #22

I understand the rationale, but it looks like they decided to go the Sisyphean route on this. ESP32-C5 ~$10 ESP32-P4 ~$5 Display ~$10 Case is maybe 90 cents (let's round to $1) if you print out of ABS. The rest of the components? Let's say another $15 worst case. ~$41 or around that much? Sure, but definitely not ~$193.

What about design, build, marketing etc.?

I don't get why the maker market complains so much about the idea of businesses selling products at a healthy markup. Just because you know how the sausage was made doesn't mean that the logic of operating a business is any different to how it works in the consumer world.

If you're skilled and motivated enough to make it yourself, you might save some money. You'd loose a lot of time though and that's worth something too (perhaps a lot more).

Re: Kode Dot Programmable pocket device for makers, pentesters and geeks

#25
post #22

I understand the rationale, but it looks like they decided to go the Sisyphean route on this. ESP32-C5 ~$10 ESP32-P4 ~$5 Display ~$10 Case is maybe 90 cents (let's round to $1) if you print out of ABS. The rest of the components? Let's say another $15 worst case. ~$41 or around that much? Sure, but definitely not ~$193.

What about design, build, marketing etc.? I don't get why the maker market complains so much about the idea of businesses selling products at a healthy markup. Just because you know how the sausage was made doesn't mean that the logic of operating a business is any different to how it works in the consumer world. If you're skilled and motivated enough to make it yourself, you might save some money. You'd loose a lot…

The cost of design, build and marketing do not triple the final price by themselves.

The kickstarter was successfully funded, yielding in over $3.3M. The device back then was $149 at 20% off, with $169 being the full price. That's still not $193.

Again, this is just my personal opinion, but even taking everything into account and factoring in a nice profit margin, being OVER $100 is very, very hard to justify.

Re: Kode Dot Programmable pocket device for makers, pentesters and geeks

#27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think this is for gaming. It has arrows plus two buttons, probably for conceptual equivalents to "tap/click/enter" and "back/escape". If you want a DIYish handheld for gaming there are much better options on the market.

Not to be rude but the page literally says "Browse what the community ships: games, tools and toys. Run them on your Kode Dot."

The focus being here: community. Gaming is an option, not the sole purpose, and community is always adding games to everything, but that's not the designers fault.

Re: Kode Dot Programmable pocket device for makers, pentesters and geeks

#28

For £160 you can buy three JC1060P470, 7 inch proto-tablet systems with the same P4+C5 stack, with GPIO, ethernet in some models. I get that the expense here is miniaturising and integration, but even at half the RRP, I'd be wincing. The maker market knows how to work out a napkin-BOM, and knows that this is a lot of money for what you're getting.

Well, flipper zero BoM is also significantly lower than the unit price...

Re: Kode Dot Programmable pocket device for makers, pentesters and geeks

#29
I think it's great!

I looked into ESP32, M5 Stack, Arduino, etc. but as someone without experience it's very confusing. Which parts go together? Which case fits? Does that have a battery? All of this can be found out if you study the specs but it's not intuitive.

If all you want is tinker with a device, this device here is optimal.

For the people saying you can build this yourself: Yes. You can also build your own guitar from invidual parts and it will be cheaper than a store bought guitar. (I have done this). Is it super fun to build? Yes. Can everyone do it? No.

Re: Kode Dot Programmable pocket device for makers, pentesters and geeks

#30
post #22

I understand the rationale, but it looks like they decided to go the Sisyphean route on this. ESP32-C5 ~$10 ESP32-P4 ~$5 Display ~$10 Case is maybe 90 cents (let's round to $1) if you print out of ABS. The rest of the components? Let's say another $15 worst case. ~$41 or around that much? Sure, but definitely not ~$193.

What about design, build, marketing etc.? I don't get why the maker market complains so much about the idea of businesses selling products at a healthy markup. Just because you know how the sausage was made doesn't mean that the logic of operating a business is any different to how it works in the consumer world. If you're skilled and motivated enough to make it yourself, you might save some money. You'd loose a lot…

Roughly $200 is simply far too expensive though. If it were $100-$150, then I could wince at the price that ultimately is necessary for the product to exist. But $200? I just feel like I'm being ripped off. For that price, I'd recommend people buy a raspberry pi and some parts from adafruit and make their own ultimately better version
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