Black Arrow 28nm 100Ghash Bitcoin ASIC from $0.49/GH/s

[blackarrow]

Bitcoin Miners progress update – 21 March 2014

1. Global Foundries have finished the test wafers which were subsequently shipped to Amkor.
2. Amkor and VeriSilicon decided to redesign the substrate. This should be finished by tomorrow but there is no confirmation at the moment if a slight delay of few days will incur. As it stands we might still be able to keep on track for the tight schedule.
3. 5 case factories fitted our strict criteria and succeeded in making our shortlist. We will decide shortly which one(s) will be able to meet our high quality demands and meeting our aggressive deadlines. Payment was already made to cover the required samples.
4. We produced a prototype case for X1 which was made of steel. We are not planning to replace the original design but we came up with this as plan B in case in case the plastic mould won’t be finished on time for Batch1.
5. We have received the 1600 Watt PSU from Power-One, will test this week.
6. We have tested the hashboard sample and other PCBs we've produces so far in a laboratory environment. Despite the lab samples are not meeting all our design requirements to 100% we are happy to report that all perform properly. We are currently negotiating with our suppliers to increase the quality checks for producing much better quality boards.
7. We have tested the (under-spec) X1 hashboard PCBs and it can deliver 130Amperes. We were targeting 140Amperes but the problem appears to be in the coil not in the PCB. We’re getting new coils tomorrow for further testing. As a reference, VeriSilicon’s projected consumption is 100 Amperes in worst case scenario (high leakage) but we want to make sure that we can overclock the chip.
8. Finishing the boards takes longer than we’ve expected. For this reason we’re not sure if we have time to finish the 200Amperes board.
9. We have corrected several schematics and layout issues in the X1 hashboard and X1 backplane and started manufacturing the new samples
10. Following case review we have added a fan connector to the X3 hashboard. We haven't taped out the X3 hashboard yet as we will have to be sure that the X1 hashboard performs properly.
11. The control board boots Linux partially. There are some drivers missing or misconfigured and we need to fix some bugs in schematics. We're now reworking it to change the main connector and fix schematics bugs.
12. X3 backplane has not yet been finished due to modification of the control board.
13. We’ve started work on our Bitcoin/Litecoin pool.
14. We got the BTC refund document back from our solicitors. We are updating few legal and we should be able to release this as early as tomorrow.
15. BTC/LTC and PPC payment processor is now online, ready to process orders. Still making some cosmetic adjustments. It took longer than we’ve anticipated but we’re happy how it works.
16. Front End for the LTC chip is now stable. We’re starting the back end as soon as possible and we’re going to start pre-orders soon.
17. We’re looking into providing schematics as reference design for our ASIC in order to gather more interest from 3rd party manufacturers.

[ChuckBuck]

Thanks for the update, Blackarrow.  Hoping us customers that are sticking around, get pleasantly surprised in May.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

16. Front End for the LTC chip is now stable. We’re starting the back end as soon as possible and we’re going to start pre-orders soon.

Where did the money come from for this development if compensation for batch 1 customers is maxed out?   
 
No money for refunds.  No money for proper compensation, much hand-wringing over how this the absolute best they can do aaaaaaaaaaaaand.....................here's our new scrypt miner!  Getyer pre-orders in!

Using funds generated from pre-orders to develop new products while the customers that sent those funds in are taking a total bath, and BA is claiming they're absolutely maxed out,  is just the latest evidence that the level of importance given to customers is just above that of a cockroach scuttling across the office floor, and only because a cockroach doesn't carry a wallet.

Anyone that pre-orders anything more complex than a pizza from these people after watching this unfold has a fucking brain tumor.....

And they deleted every single one of my ~300 posts on this thread. But, what else would you expect from a Romanian Scum Bucket.

[raskul]

16. Front End for the LTC chip is now stable. We’re starting the back end as soon as possible and we’re going to start pre-orders soon.

Where did the money come from for this development if compensation for batch 1 customers is maxed out?   
 
No money for refunds.  No money for proper compensation, much hand-wringing over how this the absolute best they can do aaaaaaaaaaaaand.....................here's our new scrypt miner!  Getyer pre-orders in!

Using funds generated from pre-orders to develop new products while the customers that sent those funds in are taking a total bath, and BA is claiming they're absolutely maxed out,  is just the latest evidence that the level of importance given to customers is just above that of a cockroach scuttling across the office floor, and only because a cockroach doesn't carry a wallet.

Anyone that pre-orders anything more complex than a pizza from these people after watching this unfold has a fucking brain tumor.....

And they deleted every single one of my ~300 posts on this thread. But, what else would you expect from a Romanian Scum Bucket.

lucky heather?

[ChuckBuck]

16. Front End for the LTC chip is now stable. We’re starting the back end as soon as possible and we’re going to start pre-orders soon.

Where did the money come from for this development if compensation for batch 1 customers is maxed out?   
 
No money for refunds.  No money for proper compensation, much hand-wringing over how this the absolute best they can do aaaaaaaaaaaaand.....................here's our new scrypt miner!  Getyer pre-orders in!

Using funds generated from pre-orders to develop new products while the customers that sent those funds in are taking a total bath, and BA is claiming they're absolutely maxed out,  is just the latest evidence that the level of importance given to customers is just above that of a cockroach scuttling across the office floor, and only because a cockroach doesn't carry a wallet.

Anyone that pre-orders anything more complex than a pizza from these people after watching this unfold has a fucking brain tumor.....

And they deleted every single one of my ~300 posts on this thread. But, what else would you expect from a Romanian Scum Bucket.

Speaking of Romanian, please dig into the following mining company for us PG:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=488646.0


Verify if these guy are the goods, or are just another scam operation.

[TinkerTom]

Bitcoin Miners progress update – 21 March 2014
5. We have received the 1600 Watt PSU from Power-One, will test this week.
...
16. Front End for the LTC chip is now stable. We’re starting the back end as soon as possible and we’re going to start pre-orders soon.

Thanks for the update. I'm thinking the last I heard about PSUs was 1400W, no? Is this going to a single 1600W PSU for the 2 modules in the X-3? I'd really like to get some final info so I can ensure I have the electric in place. (Also, will there be one or two ethernet connections per X-3 -- how independent are these?)

As far as the LTC chip, I just hope that:
   1.) it isn't in any way slowing progress for the Prosperos and
   2.) we get some early/discounted access when it comes along.

[PurpleDino]

Bitcoin Miners progress update – 21 March 2014

1. Global Foundries have finished the test wafers which were subsequently shipped to Amkor.
2. Amkor and VeriSilicon decided to redesign the substrate. This should be finished by tomorrow but there is no confirmation at the moment if a slight delay of few days will incur. As it stands we might still be able to keep on track for the tight schedule.
3. 5 case factories fitted our strict criteria and succeeded in making our shortlist. We will decide shortly which one(s) will be able to meet our high quality demands and meeting our aggressive deadlines. Payment was already made to cover the required samples.
4. We produced a prototype case for X1 which was made of steel. We are not planning to replace the original design but we came up with this as plan B in case in case the plastic mould won’t be finished on time for Batch1.
5. We have received the 1600 Watt PSU from Power-One, will test this week.
6. We have tested the hashboard sample and other PCBs we've produces so far in a laboratory environment. Despite the lab samples are not meeting all our design requirements to 100% we are happy to report that all perform properly. We are currently negotiating with our suppliers to increase the quality checks for producing much better quality boards.
7. We have tested the (under-spec) X1 hashboard PCBs and it can deliver 130Amperes. We were targeting 140Amperes but the problem appears to be in the coil not in the PCB. We’re getting new coils tomorrow for further testing. As a reference, VeriSilicon’s projected consumption is 100 Amperes in worst case scenario (high leakage) but we want to make sure that we can overclock the chip.
8. Finishing the boards takes longer than we’ve expected. For this reason we’re not sure if we have time to finish the 200Amperes board.
9. We have corrected several schematics and layout issues in the X1 hashboard and X1 backplane and started manufacturing the new samples
10. Following case review we have added a fan connector to the X3 hashboard. We haven't taped out the X3 hashboard yet as we will have to be sure that the X1 hashboard performs properly.
11. The control board boots Linux partially. There are some drivers missing or misconfigured and we need to fix some bugs in schematics. We're now reworking it to change the main connector and fix schematics bugs.
12. X3 backplane has not yet been finished due to modification of the control board.
13. We’ve started work on our Bitcoin/Litecoin pool.
14. We got the BTC refund document back from our solicitors. We are updating few legal and we should be able to release this as early as tomorrow.
15. BTC/LTC and PPC payment processor is now online, ready to process orders. Still making some cosmetic adjustments. It took longer than we’ve anticipated but we’re happy how it works.
16. Front End for the LTC chip is now stable. We’re starting the back end as soon as possible and we’re going to start pre-orders soon.
17. We’re looking into providing schematics as reference design for our ASIC in order to gather more interest from 3rd party manufacturers.

And to think what the status must have been for all these items back in Jan/Feb, just weeks before the initially announced delivery date? Or December? 

[tempestb]

Here's the thing.  Does anyone thing any of these will ROI even with the hosted hashing for six months or whatever?  I can't see it.  As soon as BFL and KNC start shipping the difficulty is going to skyrocket again.  But even in this lull (If you want to call it that) where the difficulty isn't rising that rapidly, these miners don't return on the investment at all.

I know Black Arrow can't provide the additional hashing power to us to make that work in our benefit, but something needs to be done to mitigate the losses.  Heavy discounts on new purchases or something so I can make up the difference on a future order or something.  I dunno...  Sell me one of those Lightcoin machines at cost.  Something like that.

Or beef up the hash rate a lot more on the hosted side.  Something else has to happen or we're all screwed.  At least those of us that haven't got refunds coming.

[david105396]

Bitcoin Miners progress update – 21 March 2014
5. We have received the 1600 Watt PSU from Power-One, will test this week.
...
16. Front End for the LTC chip is now stable. We’re starting the back end as soon as possible and we’re going to start pre-orders soon.

Thanks for the update. I'm thinking the last I heard about PSUs was 1400W, no? Is this going to a single 1600W PSU for the 2 modules in the X-3? I'd really like to get some final info so I can ensure I have the electric in place. (Also, will there be one or two ethernet connections per X-3 -- how independent are these?)

Each case will have its own PSU, so 1 X-3 will have 2 PSU's. Also each case will have its own ethernet connection so 2 ethernet cables per X-3. Each case is completely stand alone and doesn't need another unit to connect too.

[redmonski]

BA should have focus all their resources first in delivering their bitcoin miners and satisfying their early customers. Don't think it's a wise move for them to develop simultaneously another product, whey they haven't deliver yet.

Deliver first, take a seat back to re-organize/re-think and then bang with your new product. 

[Phinnaeus Gage]

16. Front End for the LTC chip is now stable. We’re starting the back end as soon as possible and we’re going to start pre-orders soon.

Where did the money come from for this development if compensation for batch 1 customers is maxed out?   
 
No money for refunds.  No money for proper compensation, much hand-wringing over how this the absolute best they can do aaaaaaaaaaaaand.....................here's our new scrypt miner!  Getyer pre-orders in!

Using funds generated from pre-orders to develop new products while the customers that sent those funds in are taking a total bath, and BA is claiming they're absolutely maxed out,  is just the latest evidence that the level of importance given to customers is just above that of a cockroach scuttling across the office floor, and only because a cockroach doesn't carry a wallet.

Anyone that pre-orders anything more complex than a pizza from these people after watching this unfold has a fucking brain tumor.....

And they deleted every single one of my ~300 posts on this thread. But, what else would you expect from a Romanian Scum Bucket.

Speaking of Romanian, please dig into the following mining company for us PG:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=488646.0


Verify if these guy are the goods, or are just another scam operation.

If they are in any way affiliated with HashFash, then they are a scam. No two ways about it.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

Here's the thing.  Does anyone thing any of these will ROI even with the hosted hashing for six months or whatever?  I can't see it.  As soon as BFL and KNC start shipping the difficulty is going to skyrocket again.  But even in this lull (If you want to call it that) where the difficulty isn't rising that rapidly, these miners don't return on the investment at all.

I know Black Arrow can't provide the additional hashing power to us to make that work in our benefit, but something needs to be done to mitigate the losses.  Heavy discounts on new purchases or something so I can make up the difference on a future order or something.  I dunno...  Sell me one of those Lightcoin machines at cost.  Something like that.

Or beef up the hash rate a lot more on the hosted side.  Something else has to happen or we're all screwed.  At least those of us that haven't got refunds coming.

your operating under the assumption that BA cares about their customers that made this happen for the, when in reality they have stated multiple times that they manufacture mining equipment and whether or not their customers make  a positive ROI is no concern or theirs.

A reply of yours, quoted below, was deleted by the starter of a self-moderated topic. There are no rules of self-moderation, so this deletion cannot be appealed. Do not continue posting in this topic if the topic-starter has requested that you leave.

You can create a new topic if you are unsatisfied with this one. If the topic-starter is scamming, post about it in Scam Accusations.

We sell and manufacture hardware. We cannot advice you on your ROI or any other finance/investment issues.

Because, although not announced yet, we'll offer the warranty that if they do not recover the money in 6 months, we will replace them with ASICs that will.

[tempestb]

I get this.  That they can't guarantee an ROI.  They'd go out of business trying to make that happen.  However they do realize that they are selling products that produce less coins than they cost.  If they actually intend to continue selling products a prospective buyer would be insane to trust that anything else they release will ever make a profit.  Their best bet to stay in business is to do right by the people who did invest in their company to get this product off the ground.  They say it'll be worth it.  So I want to see why it will be worth it to stick with them.

It could be all b.s. like you're all saying.  I like to look at the possibility that they are going to do right by their customers.  I may be crazy, but I am hopeful they will.  It would just be nice if they admit there is a problem and that they intend to do more for the people who could be continued buyers of their future customers, rather than one time buyers who walk away feeling burned.

Hopefully they do right by us.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

http://www.blackarrowsoftware.com/store/frequently-asked-questions.html

Question: If I choose to buy an X-1 machine hosted by your company when will I start earning BTC's? Today or February 2014?

Answer: February 2014

[wolf_miner]

When a real product will be available ad shipped i will buy one X-1 but now is a nonsense buying a pre-order.

W_M

[necro_nemesis]

Possibly if purchased with USD one could hope BTC rises enough to ROI but the sad fact is you could just buy BTC if that were the case and not be concerned about getting a miner.

[Starlightbreaker]

okay, asking for another refund...round 3.

we'll see if it goes thru.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

[me2014]

As 1st may is closer they are giving us more and more preparation for another delay..
1.blablabla
2.possible delay
3.blablablb
4.possible delay...

This is so bad and I am losing a hope..

[necro_nemesis]

What really stings is when ASIC makers put the same ASIC's you paid to develop in competition with your equipment by making more and mining with them.

If you can't beat 'em join' em.

[nosferatujeff]

I would be surprised if we didn't get another delay.

BA should change their compensation plan to cover difficulty change that happened in between original date and final shipping date. Then they would be awesome again.