Bitcoin Forum

Disclosure: Spondolies Tech was very kind to send me a SP20 miner as per their Legendary Review review thread here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=887807.0

The obligatory background story: I'm a long-time bitcoin user since 2011. I first came across bitcoin and CPU-mined a block around 2010, but sadly I did not back the drive up. I've been a part time miner since then, starting up with GPU's and slowly upgrading to FPGA's and an Avalon. I have stopped mining for over a year due to my relocation and being generally super busy with everything else.

The review:

Shipping:
The miner was shipped extremely fast via Fedex from Israel to US. In total, it took 3 days including a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It was at the door early morning on Monday.  ;D

The package was extremely well thought out and designed, and I could not feel any give in even after trying to sit on it.

Shown is the paper box housing it came in:

https://i.imgur.com/zAEAFai.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2gy6FJO.jpg

Setting up:

I bought two CX750 PSU's in anticipation of the miner. Setting up was straightforward - a paper clip was inserted in the green wire and a black wire respectively. (shoutout to Dogie for his extremely concise website here: http://www.dogiecoin.com/spondooliestech-sp20.html) Two cables of each PSU were connected to the miner, and powering up was effortless.

PSU's that I used:
https://i.imgur.com/danVqOr.jpg

The actual setting up took much more time on my part as I was trying to get it to connect to a large workspace network. For regular users with a limited number of devices on their network, opening myminer.io on any browser would work instantaneously. With the help of Spondolies-Tech (Guy), wh00per and the others, I managed to get it online.

Procedures for situation like this:

1 ) Get wireshark installed in your computer.
2 ) Connect the miner directly via ethernet cable to the computer.
3 ) Set up monitoring on the ethernet port using wireshark.
4 ) You'll get the DHCP requests from the miner unit as it tries to go online.
5 ) Write down the MAC address.
6 ) Whitelist the MAC address on your network.
7 ) Connect the miner directly to the network.
8 ) Using AngryIP scanner, try to determine the actual IP of the device. (I skipped this as I have access to the admin page showing the IP of the miner)
9 ) Fire up a browser while on the same network and go to http://(the ip address).
10 ) If it works, you'll be presented with a login screen. (user/pass:admin)

The mining:

It is really straightforward after you manage to connect to it. Just input your pool settings and you're good to go.

The miner stats after some time:
https://i.imgur.com/QmyHqDK.png

ASIC Stats:
https://i.imgur.com/AG3Ijou.png

The noise level is quite high - the decibel tool on my phone gives me around 80dB.
https://i.imgur.com/TLdTQst.png

After running continuously for almost 24 hours, I'm happy to say that everything went well, although initially I had a few crashes (complete crash needing a power cycle) that I suspect was due to high temperatures in the box killing the control unit. I've since placed it somewhere cold, and it has been mining happily since.

Update: It's been running continuously for almost two days straight. No reboots/power cycle was required. It's been a dream.


Cheers,
John

PS: I'll add stuff to this as I keep on playing with it.

i'm only posting in these threads coz i'm nosey. don't scorn for this post  :-*

It's getting cold outside, come on by in! :D

PPS: I'm concentrating on the other parts like mining experience and stuff with my review, as I see I can't beat everyone else's photos. :P

in fact I was most interested to read your review in particular, as I read your troubles with getting it connected to your broad network.
I'm sure this will prove helpful to many people, I'd have been far more clueless than yourself.

ps. I also mined a block in 2010 and like you, failed to realise what I was actually getting into. I wonder how many BTC were dropped to oblivion by folks like us. (sorry, gone off topic)

Thanks for the review, and welcome back to mining!

I can see why Spondoolies-Tech are sending rigs to Legendaries for review... all the reviews so far are excellent.

Oh! I should also say... now that you are back mining John... this is a short term phenomenon but I drew up a short guide to help miners get some pre-2013 BTC mining earnings

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=894826.0

^it'll end friday/saturday... i strongly recommend you follow the guide for best return on your efforts.

Thanks guys, and yep, I'm planning to do a more concise write up about how to get to mining in a broad network (think a workspace/university for example), and how to set up wireless mining etc.

Thanks for the guide - I think I read your guide yesterday and am mining on westhash right now. :D

this pleases me immensely.  ;)

  John I am enjoying   it myself. I have  6x sp20's purchased with close to perfect  timing.

 All earning crazy numbers on west hash.

Nice review.  Thanks Phil

ROI suddenly is much more faster, eh. ;) Mine came just in time too for the hike!

Like my 6k 360 degree view? ;) www.dogiecoin.com/spondooliestech-sp20---360-degree-view.html

[720p uploaded for comcast reasons]

No Y axis? I had a VR headset and Nintendo Power Glove ready to go, but your picture is unfortunately lacking the necessary coordinates...

Haha I was thinking about that, but then I'd have to stitch it into a 3D model and display it in heavy flash rather than lightweight java.

Great review from a legend.  And also that is one heck of a 360 Dogie.

You'll probably like the SP35 one then, much more even look. Those damn shiny silver miners take ages to post process, and almost have to be photographed in a black room. http://www.dogiecoin.com/spondooliestech-sp35---360-degree-view.html

I think I'll do these for most reviews now.

Hell yea. It's so beautiful! *ogles*

Thank you for the review.

Thank you for giving me the chance to review it!
PS: Updated with some long term review. The only problem that I have with it right now is the noise, and everything else is fine.

Updated the title as per https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=887807.240