My finished Gaboze Pocaio Round 2

[Spyder]

My Gaboze Pocaio Round 2 is officially finished. I ended up buying a new shell because the screw posts were stripped on the DMG look alike shell. I actually like the black a lot more and it went well with the maroon pocket buttons beautifully. Battery finally came in from China and fit into the compartment so I can shut the darn thing. Decided not to put the sticker on the back to keep it simple and clean with the tactile switches.

This was an absolute blast to build and I learned a lot from this. I will say I “invested” far more than I originally planned, but to hold this in my hand and know that I built this myself is priceless. Plus it’s fun accumulating new tools.

This has also sparked my interest in PCB design and I am working on a new PCB in EasyEDA with some features I would like. Using the files for the Gaboze on github I’m just using the board outline and pads for A/B X/Y and directional. I’m working on adding things like the ADS module for battery monitoring and possibly a built in TP4056 circuit. Also researching screen alternatives that would just use a normal ribbon to plug in instead of the soldering of the screen to the board directly. Plus from what I’m hearing those screens are soon to be NLA anyway. I will also change the pi mounting because I’m not a fan of how I had to cut the SD card slot into the outside of the bottom of the shell. The biggest thing I want to add is a safe shutdown circuit. I honestly am a complete noob to this and have never designed a PCB or anything close to one, but I’m reading a lot and trying to figure it out.

P.S. wanted to represent my local tattoo shop with the sticker on my hydro flask. @estriverside where I get all my work done

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[MrErickson]

Looks good

[Spyder]

Thanks

[razormime]

That looks rad! Can I ask how much everything in your build cost?

[Spyder]

Its honestly hard to say because I actually rebuilt this thing 3 times for different issues. For one, it wasn't to bad, I'd say under $100. But I know I spent more than that because of my learning curve and buying new tools etc for it.

[MrErickson]

I remember the original populated board was $60 plus case, buttons etc. I dont think those are available anymore but there are blank round one and round two boards available on ebay so one could do the populating themselves. I have no idea what the individual parts cost though.

[Spyder]

The SMDs weren't to bad about $20 shipped from Digikey, screen was about $15, battery was about $10. It does add up pretty quick though with everything and mainly you are playing the waiting game for all of the parts.

[MrErickson]

The SMDs weren't to bad about $20 shipped from Digikey, screen was about $15, battery was about $10. It does add up pretty quick though with everything and mainly you are playing the waiting game for all of the parts.

I've got a few other projects to work on but I do think I'd like to try populating a board and doing a build from there.

[Spyder]

The SMDs weren't to bad about $20 shipped from Digikey, screen was about $15, battery was about $10. It does add up pretty quick though with everything and mainly you are playing the waiting game for all of the parts.

I've got a few other projects to work on but I do think I'd like to try populating a board and doing a build from there.

It is very rewarding and I recommend doing it. I have huge hands and at times it was challenging, but to see it boot up was akin to when my wife had our daughters. Well maybe not quite, but a close second. I would build another one, but I'm going to do a SP next to change it up.

[MrErickson]

It would give me a worth while reason to get a hit air rework station.