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As far as I can tell, OpenBCI already is that thing. It's just very hard to sustain a business on one-off low volume hardware sales so the prices on the offici

As far as I can tell, OpenBCI already is that thing. It's just very hard to sustain a business on one-off low volume hardware sales so the prices on the official site are relatively high compared to BOM (but perfectly reasonable and necessary to sustain further R&D). It seems many hobbyists will buy off aliexpress while institutions / researchers tend to get the "official" hardware. If you're happy with 8 channels wired (run laptop off batteries and use a good USB opto-isolator...) then you can get that right now for about 200 USD (not including headware). (Note: better to get a 32-bit board not 8-bit one).

AussieWog93 5y ago
>It's just very hard to sustain a business on one-off low volume hardware sales so the prices on the official site are relatively high compared to BOM (but perfectly reasonable and necessary to sustain further R&D). I run a low-volume open source hardware business[1] and honestly don't buy this argument at all. So many OSHW businesses have absolutely woeful logistics that treats every single person outside of the US (or occasionally EU) as an afterthought. This both what drives up the cost and pisses people off enough to create a sustainable business model for the boys in Shenzhen. People aren't going to support your business if you ask insultingly high shipping prices or are constantly out of stock. [1]https://espotek.com https://espotek.com
- xyzzy123 5y ago
  That is a neat board and I am having a hard time not impulse buying it(!) Based on your background I expect you have more insight than me, but I do wonder if they have deliberately abandoned the low end of the market to Shenzhen to avoid cannibalising (much more profitable) institutional sales.
  - AussieWog93 5y ago
    > That is a neat board and I am having a hard time not impulse buying it(!) Give in to your urges! Only material consumption can bring happiness! :P >I do wonder if they have deliberately abandoned the low end of the market to Shenzhen to avoid cannibalising (much more profitable) institutional sales. I wouldn't be super surprised by that. I've been on both sides of the fence there and whether or not the product itself is good value tends to be much less important than whether or not the sales process makes the purchasing department feel important.

AussieWog93 5y ago

>It's just very hard to sustain a business on one-off low volume hardware sales so the prices on the official site are relatively high compared to BOM (but perfectly reasonable and necessary to sustain further R&D). I run a low-volume open source hardware business[1] and honestly don't buy this argument at all. So many OSHW businesses have absolutely woeful logistics that treats every single person outside of the US (or occasionally EU) as an afterthought. This both what drives up the cost and pisses people off enough to create a sustainable business model for the boys in Shenzhen. People aren't going to support your business if you ask insultingly high shipping prices or are constantly out of stock. [1]https://espotek.com https://espotek.com

xyzzy123 5y ago
That is a neat board and I am having a hard time not impulse buying it(!) Based on your background I expect you have more insight than me, but I do wonder if they have deliberately abandoned the low end of the market to Shenzhen to avoid cannibalising (much more profitable) institutional sales.
- AussieWog93 5y ago
  > That is a neat board and I am having a hard time not impulse buying it(!) Give in to your urges! Only material consumption can bring happiness! :P >I do wonder if they have deliberately abandoned the low end of the market to Shenzhen to avoid cannibalising (much more profitable) institutional sales. I wouldn't be super surprised by that. I've been on both sides of the fence there and whether or not the product itself is good value tends to be much less important than whether or not the sales process makes the purchasing department feel important.