DIY Bitcoin Blockclock

[dkbit98]

I always like Blockclock Mini that is mady by Coinkite aka Coldcard, but I wanted something even smaller so I investigated all possible DIY solutions.
According to recent news and NVK tweet, Coinkite is working on releasing their newest device called Blockclock Micro that looks just about perfect for my taste.
We can see this new device is showing market price for Bitcoin, but I don't know how much it is different from older models, and what options it has.
I don't know how much they will charge for this product, but it should be much cheaper than Blockclock Mini and I would probably buy it if it was below $100.


https://twitter.com/nvk/status/1532785626944311296

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[SFR10]

but I don't know how much it is different from older models,

Based on the description part of the product in question, they should be the same:

• Same huge selection of data values from exchanges and the blockchain, but about a third the size on your desk,

I don't know how much they will charge for this product, but it should be much cheaper than Blockclock Mini and I would probably buy it if it was below $100.

I hate to break it to you, but currently, they're asking for "$149" to reserve it ^{[I guess the price could only grow in the future]}.

[dkbit98]

I hate to break it to you, but currently, they're asking for "$149" to reserve it ^{[I guess the price could only grow in the future]}.

Nice catch! I didn't saw they added it in Coinkite store already.
Nah I won't spend that much money plus shipping fees for Blockclock Micro, even if I like it, but I think that Coinkite/Coldcard is ripping people off... and I understand they are trying to make a living from this.

[DaveF]

I hate to break it to you, but currently, they're asking for "$149" to reserve it ^{[I guess the price could only grow in the future]}.

Nice catch! I didn't saw they added it in Coinkite store already.
Nah I won't spend that much money plus shipping fees for Blockclock Micro, even if I like it, but I think that Coinkite/Coldcard is ripping people off... and I understand they are trying to make a living from this.

AT $150 it's a little expensive but not out of hand. For whatever reason they are not using off the shelf parts so there is a much larger cost then just using a stock RPi zero and an off the shelf display. The rest of it does not look that bad in terms of cost. Now, why they went non 'standard' components instead of something that can be bought everywhere is a valid question. But to design & test & build what is probably going to be a limited production run item does have a cost behind it. And they are building it domestically not in China / someplace cheap so a bit more cost there too.

Kind of like the voltage goat nixie price tickers. The standard parts that make them up are not that much, the custom built items like they do...that will cost you.
Separate non BTC nixie thing but political, if you want a nixie clock order one from here: https://nixieshop.com/store.html

-Dave

[theduall]

Kind of like the voltage goat nixie price tickers.

I've modified nixie clock from aliexpress to countdown bitcoin price. And glow red/green depending on the market.
Cannot release the firmware/source yet because my wifi credentials are built in, need to code some kind-of UI to add wifi.


Here's how it looks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdwItoQubqM

https://i.imgur.com/Y7j3lsS.jpg

[dkbit98]

I've modified nixie clock from aliexpress to countdown bitcoin price. And glow red/green depending on the market.
Cannot release the firmware/source yet because my wifi credentials are built in, need to code some kind-of UI to add wifi.

It's looking very nice!
Are there any easy DIY tutorial how we can do it ourselves, and it is complicated or not?
I prefer smaller compact size of Blockclock Mini, but current market crash would only hurt more whenever I would look at it 
I guess I could just switch to mempool and transaction fees if that was possible.
Perfect device for me would be multipurpose device that could show both regular time, bitcoin info or any other info.

[dkbit98]

Few days ago I found a perfect open source alternative for expensive overpriced blockclock by coinkite(coldcard.
I am already boycotting all NVK-coldcard products and I hope he won't be angry and pissed (again) because someone made cheaper and better product (again) and made it open source.

Let me present you BTClock , made by Djuri B. from Netherlands.
Open-source block-shaped clock that is showing Bitcoin related information including Block height, Moscow Time (Sats per Dollar), Price, Time, Halving Countdown.

You can currently purchase BTClock fully assembled and tested for €190, or you can purchase individual parts and build it yourself.
It is using genius design with multiple small eInk displays mounted on top of PCB.
Compared to $400 for nvk-mini, this is a bargain!

 

Build instructions:
https://github.com/btclock/btclock_v2/wiki

Source code: https://github.com/btclock

Official website: https://btclock.store/

[javierguajardo]

Few days ago I found a perfect open source alternative for expensive overpriced blockclock by coinkite(coldcard.
I am already boycotting all NVK-coldcard products and I hope he won't be angry and pissed (again) because someone made cheaper and better product (again) and made it open source.

Let me present you BTClock , made by Djuri B. from Netherlands.
Open-source block-shaped clock that is showing Bitcoin related information including Block height, Moscow Time (Sats per Dollar), Price, Time, Halving Countdown.

You can currently purchase BTClock fully assembled and tested for €190, or you can purchase individual parts and build it yourself.
It is using genius design with multiple small eInk displays mounted on top of PCB.
Compared to $400 for nvk-mini, this is a bargain!

https://www.talkimg.com/images/2024/01/11/sO4S1.jpeg  https://www.talkimg.com/images/2024/01/11/sO79W.png

Build instructions:
https://github.com/btclock/btclock_v2/wiki

Source code: https://github.com/btclock

Official website: https://btclock.store/

Hey! Is this "BTClock" in the picture built by you? I'd like to get one but I'm really bad building stuff

[SFR10]

Compared to $400 for nvk-mini, this is a bargain!

Indeed, it is ^{[a blockclock mini alternative for the price of a blockclock micro is an absolute steal]} and we can save almost €100 more ^{[minus shipping]} if we go with the DIY route.
^{- Nice catch}

[dkbit98]

Hey! Is this "BTClock" in the picture built by you? I'd like to get one but I'm really bad building stuff

All pictures are from official website, so it's not mine.
Don't even try building BTClock yourself if you don't know soldering and making your own stuff.
Like I said, there is assembled BTClock you can purchase from website.

Indeed, it is ^{[a blockclock mini alternative for the price of a blockclock micro is an absolute steal]} and we can save almost €100 more ^{[minus shipping]} if we go with the DIY route.

And that is mini, not full size version.
I could only imagine how much he would charge for regular big version, probably over $1000  

[TheBTCRat]

This is a really nice machine. You need to buy the eInk displays and and a board but they are stupidly cheap on Ali.

I think I will get the DIY package and let you know how the build went.

Thanks for sharing this.

[MoparMiningLLC]

And that is mini, not full size version.
I could only imagine how much he would charge for regular big version, probably over $1000  

the one that is the same size as the BTClock is roughly $400

I have the coinkite one and have also ordered the BTClock one from @btc_hardware on twitter.

I should have that one next week - They look similar and have a lot of the same display features from what I have seen in videos/pictures.

I can share some opinions once I have both.

[dkbit98]

I think I will get the DIY package and let you know how the build went.

I hope you know your way around soldering  
Better first to read instructions and watch few videos before you start making your own DIY device.

the one that is the same size as the BTClock is roughly $400

Than how big was nkv's coinkite clock in full size?

I can share some opinions once I have both.

That would be nice.
I think BTClock have big advantage that you can customize and change it however you want.
Developer is constantly updating it and adding new versions.

[MoparMiningLLC]

the one that is the same size as the BTClock is roughly $400

Than how big was nkv's coinkite clock in full size?

I can share some opinions once I have both.

That would be nice.
I think BTClock have big advantage that you can customize and change it however you want.
Developer is constantly updating it and adding new versions.

Not sure how large the original was but its quite large with multiple lines. The one that the btclock is modeled after appears to look almost identical with most of the same visuals. It was 400 so still nearly twice the price as btcclock

[Kakmakr]

Why go through all that trouble, if you can just re-purpose a old used cellphone?

I took a old used cellphone and fired up the browser and opened https://preev.pro or Preev.com and placed it on my desk.

I can easily check the price of Bitcoin and some other Alt coins, just by clicking on the drop down button. (It auto updates)

[SFR10]

Why go through all that trouble, if you can just re-purpose a old used cellphone?
~Snipped~
I can easily check the price of Bitcoin and some other Alt coins, just by clicking on the drop down button. (It auto updates)

You have a point, but it's worth noting that they're not limited to showing only the price ^{[you can display other Bitcoin-related stats, and some of them even allow you to display custom data that has nothing to do with Bitcoin]} and IMO, it improves almost any kind of setup ^{[design-wise]}.

[dkbit98]

Why go through all that trouble, if you can just re-purpose a old used cellphone?

Did you even read what I wrote or you just decided to write something randomly?  
And why would you use smartphone when you have old dumb phones works fine, and you should not use flat screens when old black&white tv and FM radio is working fine?  

Preev is only showing bitcoin price and you need browser to open the page.
BTClock is working independent and it shows much more information ( Block height, Sats per Dollar, Price, Time, Halving Countdown), all that in cool retro design.