Last Updated on August 29, 2023 by pg@petergamma.org
Claim 1. «They have multiple hardware bugs», is this true?
- We know only of user reports about WIFI shields with issues. But there are also OpenBCI modules sold on eBay with resolved issues of the WIFI shied.
Claim 2. «These have been reported by users both in the www.OpenBCI.com forum an in the www.OpenBCI.com customer support, is this true?
- Users reported about issues with the OpenBCI WIFI shield in the www.OpenBCI.com forum as described above. But sellers on eBay and Aliexpress do resolve issues, but www.OpenBCI.com seems not to resolve issues, for instance the issues of the OpenBCI WIFI shield.
Claim 3. «A primary reason is that these boards lack the RFduino radio modules» is this true?
- No, there are different version sold on Aliexpress:
- The cable version, but we do not know how good software support for it is, for instance the OpenBCI graphical user interface does not support it.
- There is a Bluetooth version with a Bluetooth dongle available, which is most probably equivalent to the RFduino radio module sold by www.OpenBCI.com
- the OpenBCI WIFI version. Some modules sold on eBay and Aliexpress have issues. topcyberdays says it offers a WIFI shield without issues.
Claim 4: «The OpenBCI board sold on eBay and Aliexpress use a modified Wifi Shield.»
- the eBay shop topcyberday sells a modified version of OpenBCI with a WIFI shield. In the description is says:
«WiFi Shield for OpenBCI has improved the known bug of the original version (the bug will cause noise during the acquisition process)»
https://www.ebay.com/itm/284876280716?hash=item4253f3138c:g:CLoAAOSwpepiu~95
- which means that topcyberday sells an OpenBCI module with WIFI shield which has resolved the issue of the orignal WIFI shield.
- The eBay shop of topcyberday currently does not offer the 8-Channel Wifi EEG Acquisition Open-Source Hardware for OpenBCI Research & Study
- ,There are only 4 product offers left in the topcyberday shop, but we suppose the OpenBCI modules will come back soon to the topcyberday shop.
- The topcyberday shop exists since many years and usually offers many products and has good ratings.
Claim 4: «The OpenBCI modules on eBay and Aliexpress have not solved those issues» – is that true?
- some WIFI shields might have issues, which eventually can be repaired. www.OpenBCI.com does not offer a WIFI shield at all.
Claim 5: «The OpenBCI modules on eBay and Aliexpress are clones.»
- This is wrong. OpenBCI is an open source products. It is not a legally protected product where there are “original OpenBCI modules” and “clone OpenBCI modules”.
- You can take an OpenBCI Gerber file by yourself and manufacturer it by yourself without any legal issues.
- But label those according to the rules of the open source standards
- they where complains about sellers who do not do that.
- For instance do not copy pictures from www.OpenBCI.com without permission.
- Label the OpenBCI correctly according to the unspoken rules of open source hardware.
- But if different manufacturer sells an open source product, it is wrong to say that the other seller sells cone products.
Claim 6: «Chinese clones have not solved those issues»
- this is not true, the eBay shop topcyberday says it has resolved the issues.
Claim 7. «the www.OpenBCI.com Wifi Shield has been temporarily withdrawn from the OpenBCI Shop, because it needs engineering changes.»
- The satements of www.OpenBCI.com about this topic changes as the weather changes, for instance:
- «the WIFI shield product is in beta mode»
- «The WiFi shield is known to have reliability issues (packet loss and cyclical noise spikes) when used with Cyton and CytonDaisy boards».
- «Using it effectively requires advanced technical skills and programming knowledge. Please proceed at your own risk. OpenBCI cannot guarantee that the device will work with your configuration».
- «The www.OpenBCI.com WIFI shield may come back or may not come back».
- «The OpenBCI WIFI shield is postponed but will come back later on».
- «The OpenBCI WIFI shield is depriciated»
- «the www.OpenBCI.com Wifi Shield has been temporarily withdrawn from the OpenBCI Shop, because it needs engineering changes.»
- What is next ???
Claim 7. «The OpenBCI modules sold on eBay and Aliexpress have not solved the issues of the OpenBCI WIFI shield»
- This is wrong. The eBay shop from topcyberday offers a OpenBCI module with WIFI shield which is labeled to have resolved these issues:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/284876280716?hash=item4253f3138c:g:CLoAAOSwpepiu~95
If you buy OpenBCI modules on eBay and Aliexpress, do not ask for support on www.OpenBCI.com, since you will receive these kind of answers. But if you do not need support from www.OpenBCI.com, is there are reason not to buy OpenBCI modules on eBay and Aliexpress? What is your experience with OpenBCI modules bought on eBay and Aliexpress? Please write it in the comments below: