If you missed it before, TI is offering the Chronos Watch as their current week’s deal at $24.50. The eZ430 deal includes the wireless enabled watch, CC1111 USB RF access point, and a CD containing software and documentation.
A welcome change by TI is the elimination of the deal coupon codes. TI is now fulfilling the deals directly via DigiKey.
I wonder how many people used to grab those coupons and never ordered the equipment. Drove me mad a few times.
almost overlooked it, glad I didn’t !!
very good deal!
I had to decline this offer as digikey didn’t put FREE shipping, only estimated @ 60+ dollars, how crappy is that!
From the digikey twitter feed:
“If you do not live in the continental US, shipping option “Other” in order to receive complimentary shipping. Kindly”
Thanks Darran,
I have ordered one now, have a screen dump of the Tweet and I’ll hold them to it ;)
I just ordered one of these, thanks for the heads up!
last time trough ti as-holes took my money, never sent watches :(
Digikey is offering three types of watches, the difference is a RF frequency. Does anyone has a clue which to choose?
any is ok, differences are minimal but generally:
433 – World wide (South America, North America, Asia, Pacific, Middle East, Europe)
868 – Europe only
915 – America (North and South) only
If you’r not sure, 433 is safest :D
One more thing 868 and 915 are “almost identical” (difference is a 0R resistor near antenna for 868), while 433 is bit different (lower frequency, different antenna). Now in theory on same frequency lower power should have greater range on same power output so 433 should have way better range then 868 and 915, on the other hand 433 requires bigger antenna then 868/915 so if they didn’t manage to put big enough antenna in the clock the range is maybe same .. (TI never published the data!!)
Also note that bluerobin devices are bit easier to find (and bit cheaper) in 915 version then 433 and 868 so that might be a ++ for 915 .. I’m getting 915 myself
lower frequency on same power should have greater range (not lower power)
I bought the 433Mhz the last time, but is better 868 or 915, more hw available. And I can’t remember but there was some software from TI that will not work with the 433 version.
“lower frequency on same power should have greater range” Is your statement based on assumption that antenna is always perfectly optimized for given range? If not (really, the size of watch makes it difficult), than we may get opposite. Why are you getting 915 in that case? Only due to the last sentence in your post?
First time I made mistake, cancelled order, now want to reorder.
If you read whole sentence I said that for lower freq you also need larger antenna so it is questionable if they manage to put larger antenna in the clock or not … also I wrote that they never published data (and they mentioned they will, few times).
I’m getting 915 myself because I have 868 for few years already and I know how much troubles I had getting 868 parts as most transceivers and one way devices are available in 915 versions only (they all have 868 versions but they are never on stock). This time I’m getting 915 as I want more peripherals :)
Thank you for clarification. Actually I am first time getting into this kind of gadgets. Any link to start with (applications, peripherals, development)? Thank you in advance…
here is a good place to start chronos development
http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/EZ430-Chronos
jus ordered the 915Mhz model! :) hoping that it arrives here safely and soon! :D
The Total as well as the shipping charge at the Billing page Shows unknown!
Hoping that they dont charge extra shipping charges and that the complementary shipping applies to orders from india as well!
Thanks for the information,
I just bought one for future project ;-)
Any chance you will have more eZ430-Chronos watches available soon for $25?
I have an eZ430-Chronos watches and I have broken the “screen” when I changed the battery, If anyone know how to found a screen replacement I will be happy ;)
Best Regards
Benjamin