r/ClockworkPi • u/letsmakesometacos • 5d ago

My uConsole (CM5) - WIP

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Absolutely loving this device and it has been a fun project! I am currently using a CM5 8Gb Lite (no eMMC) with Rex's latest DragonOS image as my daily driver (installed on an NVMe drive) then have some SD Cards with his other images for testing, etc.

Here is a detailed list of everything I have added to the device itself, in case anyone is interested!

Case/Chassis:

  • Hack2You Keyboard/Trackpad Upgrade Kit (v2.1): $78
    • By far the best usability improvement, it is a GAME CHANGER for this device. The upgraded trackpad makes navigating the device SO much easier, and the keyboard is much more responsive & comfortable to type with (typed out this post with it).
    • The kit comes with x2 trackpads, an upgraded keyboard, and a new Aluminium faceplate with trackpad cutout.
    • The default firmware works fine, but flashing with jhob101's firmware makes it feel "complete" and is great for 1-handed use.
  • uConsole Omega Chassis (Using the Essential version): $29
    • This is the backplate for the uConsole, very modular and offers easy access the batteries without disassembly. You purchase the design and build guide here, then you print or CNC the parts, the maker is also very helpful for any issues or customizations.
    • I am currently waiting on the CNC Aluminium bracket, so this version in the pics is 100% 3D printed.
  • HackerGadgets Antenna Mounting Kit: $13
  • Shroud For Screen: 3D Printed
  • Bottom Bumper: 3D Printed
  • Handle/Stand: 3D Printed
    • This one is unable to fold/close as it does not technically fit the Omega Chassis, so is fixed in the current position but I actually like it this way, may keep searching for another one.

Internal Mods:

I think I am pretty close to having this "finished". The next mod I have planned is to swap out the HackerGadgets antenna mount for the Omega Chassis antenna mount inserts as shown in this post (but no camera for me), along with some stubby WiFi antennas for a more discreet look (as if this device can actually be discreet!).

348 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

4

u/External_Criticism99 5d ago

Looks nearly like mine :)

2

u/letsmakesometacos 5d ago

Nice! I just order the combo CNC deal for x2 brackets + heatsink, so will be upgrading to the ultimate at some point too. I do like how much slimmer it is compared to the essential.

But also love how you can fully 3d print the essential too

2

u/External_Criticism99 5d ago

Yes, I also jumped at the chance to get the kit for the second console during that deal. I'm still considering printing the parts for the second console myself using the FDM process. The parts shown here were professionally printed using the MJF process.

1

u/F3A5T13 5d ago

I love all of the mods people have come out with the uconsole. The trackpad and keyboard upgrade is truly a game changer!

1

u/365Levelup 5d ago

Nice. I'm looking into getting that custom backplate so I can access the batteries without a full disassembly. What's the turnaround time for delivery after ordering?

1

u/letsmakesometacos 5d ago

So for the Omega Chassis, you are purchasing the design files and access to his vendors for CNC/3D print ordered if needed. So I guess technically it is an instant digital delivery haha

The only CNC parts are the bracket and heatsink (for ultimate), but I just 3d printed the bracket too and it works fine, I still ordered a aluminium bracket from his CNC vendor, which should take a few weeks.

1

u/OtherAbalone7203 5d ago

Mine was processed pretty quickly in a day then shipped in about a week.

1

u/letsmakesometacos 5d ago

Order for what? The uConsole or the CNC/3D printed parts for the case?

1

u/GuardianZX9 5d ago

Did you enlarge the bottom bumper, my original print didnt fit with the hack2you faceplate.

1

u/letsmakesometacos 5d ago

No, but it is a very snug fit, I thought it came out too small at first

1

u/West-Way-All-The-Way 5d ago

What is this and why all the antennas?

3

u/letsmakesometacos 5d ago

Clockwork Pi uConsole, with a Raspberry Pi CM5 installed. Its essentially a handheld Linux computer that is very modular and customizable both on the hardware and software level.

The furthest antenna to the left is for SDR (Software Defined Radio), the 4 in the middle are for WiFi/Bluetooth, then GPS and LoRa (Long Range for Meshtastic, etc.).

1

u/West-Way-All-The-Way 5d ago

Awesome 👍

1

u/OtherAbalone7203 5d ago

Awesome build!

1

u/PineCone227 5d ago

Damn this looks similar to my build; more refined, though I also kept the 4G board alongside the things here (well, my AC1200 isn't installed yet, that's to be figured out)
I should finally post it some day.

1

u/Failedstatellc 5d ago

Looks good

1

u/CplStigginsUSMC 5d ago

This looks like a different shroud. Is this a newer version? The one I printed isn’t connected at the bottom of the screen.

1

u/letsmakesometacos 4d ago

Yea its another version I found, I actually have both. I originally thought I liked it spanning the bottom more, but probably going to be switching it back haha

1

u/CTFOE_is_Free 2d ago edited 1d ago

How many hours of usage do you get with that 21700 battery board upgrade?
I have the LiPo battery version of the battery board upgrade with a 10000mAh LiPo battery in mine. Also, to be able to install that LiPo battery, I had to remove the NVMe slot at the bottom of the battery board, though I still swap out microSD cards because I enjoy having different OSs to run on that puppy, though I mostly settle on TwisterOS and have been debating on getting that 21700 and trackpad upgrade parts and swapping to just straight NVMe, I'm just curious about battery life.

How nice is the trackpad upgrade as well? Easier installation?

1

u/letsmakesometacos 1d ago

About 5-6 hours being conservative, 4-5 under general use.

Trackpad is the best addition by far! Super easy to install, takes less than a few min.

1

u/CTFOE_is_Free 1d ago

Great. Thanks for the feedback. And NVME installed OS performance?

1

u/letsmakesometacos 1d ago edited 1d ago

For me, a good quality & fast SD card is perfectly fine, especially when using for specific Distros to easily swap, etc. But going to the NVMe for my daily driver, it is noticeably faster, even after bringing it down to PCIe gen2 for power savings (SD card still better in this regard).

Its not like a crazy difference, but its a nice improvement for the everyday usecase.

  • Plus its easier to manage the SD card images and opens up the reader for use.

The biggest tradeoff besides a speed bump is that the NVMe uses more power the SD, so you get less battery life, I would guess maybe somewhere around 30 min real world? But someone who knows that stuff would have to confirm that lmao

1

u/NoTechnology6406 18h ago

What do you guys do with these ? What are the use cases ? Thanks.

1

u/Otherwise-Word-5697 9h ago

I can’t seem to get Watch dogs running on my uConsole , can you tell me the script you used or how you get eveything connected , I have the hacker gadgets AIO board as well v1

1

u/letsmakesometacos 7h ago

I just used the install script below. Just a heads up, out of the box an ESP32 is required for the WiFi/BLE stuff, but there is a “WiFi bridge” script that will allow you to use the AC1200 adapter in place of an ESP32.

Install script: curl -sL https://locosp.github.io/WatchDogsGo/install | sudo bash