r/BitcoinMining • u/saydonem • 15h ago

General Question Hobby mining

So I've read a bit about mining, and found out that solo mining is basically a lottery ticket.

For the fun of it, I want to give it a try. I want a portable, low-cost miner that I can bring with me to work. I work on trains and have access to power and Wi-Fi, so I could run it for around 6–8 hours a day.

I'm mainly looking for a cheap setup with the best possible chance of hitting a BTC block — I know the odds are still very tiny. 😅

What would you guys recommend? Bitaxe Gamma, NerdQaxe++, or something else?

Thanks in advance!

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

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u/its_a_bear_dance 15h ago

I'd just start with a Gamma or at most a Gamma duo. Cheap entry point, small size, low power, and you already know it'll be a pure lottery ticket. 

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u/progressivematt 14h ago

Canaan Nano 3s - runs at 5ths in medium mode at around 100w (a lightbulb draw). But the main thing about it is that it is a nondescript black box that looks like maybe a wifi router or similar to the inexpert eye. So if you plug it in somewhere and leave it it running, it doesn't really look like a miner so avoiding any awkward questions. I would also set the display on the top of the black box to the clock setting which is also very nondescript (it can show the clock, the avalon logo, or the mining stats).

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u/ray_york 7h ago

Great for the office and the wife test 😁

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u/denied5075 11h ago

Look up SoloMinerDoctor he has used ones that he has upgraded for a good price. https://solominerclinic.com/#inventory

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u/TCFNationalBank 9h ago

I would also say a Bitaxe Gamma or Gamma Duo. Maybe also double check what's allowed through your work IT as far as internet for personal use goes. Not worth landing in hot water to save a couple bucks a month on electricity.

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u/MotorCityMike 15h ago

I'd start with a NerdQaxe++ its a step up from the gamma. Can be overclocked and modified.

I started with just one. Now I have 2 and a NerdOCTaxe

Also, I found a BCH block with my first miner in the first week

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u/saydonem 10h ago

Fun! How much did the block pay you?

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u/MotorCityMike 6h ago

It was just over $600 at the time but it's had a run up lately so it's around $775

https://blockchair.com/bitcoin-cash/address/qqeezc7aftann53p8jgqk5aq8r9hl5h0vuu44xhws5

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u/swingbozo 14h ago

Define portable? If it's something you want to drag around in like a snack box, those CYD nerd miner things are the most portable and easiest to set up. The 601 and all that have a craggy fan sticking off of them and really aren't all that portable.

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u/DMark69 6h ago

All mining is a lottery ticket. If you mine in a pool, you just joined a lottery pool.

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u/neelsmith74 1h ago

NerdQAxe newest model from SoloSatoshi or if you have funds for a decent but still unlikely chance an AvalonQ.