Gordon, I looked at the sketch and it looks like it sets the trigger pin low then high for a couple of mSecs then low again then after that sets the trigger for input then measures the time it takes to receive the high from the echo. So it looks like it does not continuously pings. The microcontroller drives the trigger pin.
OIC. Someone else had posted a datasheet for a 3-pin sensor that looks similar, and has a continuous serial output. I thought they meant this was the same as the RS module. Nevermind.
Bean, the code is a bit strange as it includes a class in the sketch, and only the more advanced Arduino users are familiar with that, so it makes the sketch look more complicated than it needs to be. It's basically our Ping Kickstart (minus the cm conversion, and the Kickstart includes some additional transition delays to be on the safe side):
Gordon, I looked at the sketch and it looks like it sets the trigger pin low then high for a couple of mSecs then low again then after that sets the trigger for input then measures the time it takes to receive the high from the echo. So it looks like it does not continuously pings. The microcontroller drives the trigger pin.
Too Many Tools. I had the problem that Parallax's brackets also do not conform to the SRF-08 I have. Gordon does sell a bracket that works with the SRF-08. I wonder if Radio Shack's sensor uses the SRF-08 dimensions.
As a practical matter to the user, having a product that is usable in a number of situations means that you will more likely purchase that product.
Any company should insure that their product is usable in the most number of situations.."one size fits all"....translates into more sales.
Consider this...a round peg fits a square hole.
On the other hand we all have seen where some companies will attempt to force buyers to buy only their product..a square peg doesn't fit a round hole.
So engineering can make your life easier or harder...
The SainSmart Ping/Ultrasonic Sensors are the best in my opinion. Every SainSmart product I've purchased has performed exactly or better than the real-deal. Not to mention SainSmart products are much cheaper than other competitors; such as RadioShack who charges almost $35 for the SAME sensor.
My guess is RadioShack just buys special-order product and up-markets them a few hundred percent and sales it.
RE: ...force buyers to buy only their product... Oh so you mean Apple then?
Wow! the vitriol never ends... Yes, I can see it now, Apple geniuses strong-arming consumers into buying their products. "Here pal, buy this iPad or I'll publish compromising pictures of you!" "Hey lady, make a major purchase here at the Apple store or we'll make you children where Google glasses until they go cross-eyed!"...
I say get over it.
BTW: RE: your other thread... Why would you want to change the name of a company that is now listed as having the highest brand ranking (Yes, even over Coca Cola)?
Send me your response as a PM and you can keep your response from poisoning this thread.
Wow! the vitriol never ends... Yes, I can see it now, Apple geniuses strong-arming consumers into buying their products. "Here pal, buy this iPad or I'll publish compromising pictures of you!" "Hey lady, make a major purchase here at the Apple store or we'll make you children where Google glasses until they go cross-eyed!"...
I say get over it.
BTW: RE: your other thread... Why would you want to change the name of a company that is now listed as having the highest brand ranking (Yes, even over Coca Cola)?
Send me your response as a PM and you can keep your response from poisoning this thread.
dgately
I'm assuming that joke didn't sit well with you.
In any case I stand by SainSmart and their products over anything inside of RadioShack.
I suppose that corporate America thinks that if they abuse customers enough, they will make more money. I suspect the contrary is more likely. So RS is selling Ping mounting brackets, but not nothing to mount them in due to holes not matching.
Miss matched inventory has always been one of my big dislikes. These kind of gotchas require a second trip to the store to return either everything or something.
If you are going to try to load up your sales with accessories, you have to understand what it is that people need and want. About the only item that RS has ever consistently recognized that with has been their batteries... maybe adapters too.
If they could just apply the same kind of logic as they did with providing good batteries to improve their reputation with everything, they might build up a loyal following. But you really have to understand what the customer wants, not just try to push a cell phone sale to everyone that walks in the door..
It starts by listening to what the customer says, after you say, "May I help you?"
it has gotten so bad that when McDs tries to forceful upsize my order, I just turn around and walk out the door without explaination. Push, push, push is rude. I have money. I came in to buy something. Don't treat me like a dumbo. And don't treat me like my sale is too small.
I suppose that corporate America thinks that if they abuse customers enough, they will make more money. I suspect the contrary is more likely. So RS is selling Ping mounting brackets, but not nothing to mount them in due to holes not matching.
Miss matched inventory has always been one of my big dislikes. These kind of gotchas require a second trip to the store to return either everything or something.
If you are going to try to load up your sales with accessories, you have to understand what it is that people need and want. About the only item that RS has ever consistently recognized that with has been their batteries... maybe adapters too.
If they could just apply the same kind of logic as they did with providing good batteries to improve their reputation with everything, they might build up a loyal following. But you really have to understand what the customer wants, not just try to push a cell phone sale to everyone that walks in the door..
It starts by listening to what the customer says, after you say, "May I help you?"
it has gotten so bad that when McDs tries to forceful upsize my order, I just turn around and walk out the door without explaination. Push, push, push is rude. I have money. I came in to buy something. Don't treat me like a dumbo. And don't treat me like my sale is too small.
Here's another side to the coin: customers don't provide feedback. Consider how many times they, either RadioShack or some other company, has asked you to fill out a survey to improve customer this or that or product A or B etc. While I fill out surveys for exceptional customer service, the other 99% of the time no way. It leaves my brain the moment I put the receipt in the bag and drive off. How many customers would you estimate actually go home and take the time to fill out their surveys? All that's left since there's little to no feedback is a shot in the dark or go with a trend. In RadioShack's case, that's selling cellphones. They're hot items, everyone generally has one in the United States and the rest of the developed world. I mean ffs when I was in Afghanistan they even had cellphones! Obviously it was a little fishy when they did have them, but regardless, the technology is there and some do use it. So it makes sense that RadioShack would abandon it's hobbyist mentality and go for the trend, provided that the cause was lack of feedback or usable customer information. My opinion is that the cause for a lot of the Smile products we see are due to our own inabilities, in whatever capacity, to provide the feedback requested. And as such, we suffer from our own laziness, or busy-ness, or whatever you want to call it.
Listen to the customers... don't give them surveys to fill out. Surveys may be great for computer processing, but the company often asks the wrong questions.
Once upon a time, people listened to each other in a meaningful way to increase sales. Now we just poke and prod people is to spending money out of impuse, often driven by frustration.
What's missing? Business has decide that customers are not entitled to their own shopping agenda and spending money with a personal purpose.
And so, sales are down. I don't want to fill out questionares. I want someone to listen to what my wants and goals are when I walk in a store.
Of course management has to also listens to their sales people and reward their insights rahter than treat them like clone puppets. What we call shopping nowadays has become so unfun that I rarely do it.
The quality at Radio Shack is the result of an attitude about product choice that is very similar to Wallmart. If RS cannot get it for a price that squeezes the supplier, they are not willing to buy. The simple fact is that it is much easier to squeeze price out of second-rate suppliers as they have stagnant sales.
Most "after sale" surveys I've run across do not ask whats or whys. They'll ask whether someone asked you whether you wanted assistance and how quickly, not whether your questions were answered or why you visited the store. If you don't ask the "right" questions, you won't get a useful, maybe difficult to analyze answer.
I really do not like that the Best Buy cashiers push those surveys. I do not blame them of course since they are directed to do so but I believe it is a very distasteful practice to make the cashiers beg for good reviews.
I work in computer support in a large organisation, and therefore handling the contact with computer sellers and service organisations is part of my duty(normal users shouldn't be forced to sit through all that canned Smile, or have to go into technical details. That's my pain...), and HP used to call me up after every service and ask if there was anything I was unsatisfied with or otherwise wanted to comment on. They stopped when I told them 'I'm very happy with the technician that came and did the job. The only thing I'm not happy about is being bothered with these calls. If I have a complaint, I know where to call, so please stop bothering me'.
Technicians generally know that I'm happy with the previous job they did if I point them towards the lunch room and tell them to 'please use a mug from the cabinet if you want a coffee. It tastes better than if you use those paper cups'.
(We have a large hot drinks dispenser that even grinds coffee beans, and with the IT department the primary users, the beans are always fresh... )
If I go into a store to buy something, and I see something I don't like, or there's something missing that I expected to find, I will tell the staff about it. I don't expect them to bring in a new item just on my say so, but I expect them to take note and at least mention it to someone higher up.
Onto cell-phones and accessories for them...
I actually know of a place where they sell more cell-phones and other Smile than even RadioWreck...
The MBK shopping mall in Bangkok...
On some floors it's bl**dy impossible to swing a cat without hitting a booth selling the stuff...
(OK, it's difficult enough to just swing a cat, the way they've squeezed all the booths together... )
Comments
OIC. Someone else had posted a datasheet for a 3-pin sensor that looks similar, and has a continuous serial output. I thought they meant this was the same as the RS module. Nevermind.
Bean, the code is a bit strange as it includes a class in the sketch, and only the more advanced Arduino users are familiar with that, so it makes the sketch look more complicated than it needs to be. It's basically our Ping Kickstart (minus the cm conversion, and the Kickstart includes some additional transition delays to be on the safe side):
http://learn.parallax.com/KickStart/28015
As a practical matter to the user, having a product that is usable in a number of situations means that you will more likely purchase that product.
Any company should insure that their product is usable in the most number of situations.."one size fits all"....translates into more sales.
Consider this...a round peg fits a square hole.
On the other hand we all have seen where some companies will attempt to force buyers to buy only their product..a square peg doesn't fit a round hole.
So engineering can make your life easier or harder...
My guess is RadioShack just buys special-order product and up-markets them a few hundred percent and sales it.
Oh so you mean Apple then?
Wow! the vitriol never ends... Yes, I can see it now, Apple geniuses strong-arming consumers into buying their products. "Here pal, buy this iPad or I'll publish compromising pictures of you!" "Hey lady, make a major purchase here at the Apple store or we'll make you children where Google glasses until they go cross-eyed!"...
I say get over it.
BTW: RE: your other thread... Why would you want to change the name of a company that is now listed as having the highest brand ranking (Yes, even over Coca Cola)?
Send me your response as a PM and you can keep your response from poisoning this thread.
dgately
I'm assuming that joke didn't sit well with you.
In any case I stand by SainSmart and their products over anything inside of RadioShack.
Miss matched inventory has always been one of my big dislikes. These kind of gotchas require a second trip to the store to return either everything or something.
If you are going to try to load up your sales with accessories, you have to understand what it is that people need and want. About the only item that RS has ever consistently recognized that with has been their batteries... maybe adapters too.
If they could just apply the same kind of logic as they did with providing good batteries to improve their reputation with everything, they might build up a loyal following. But you really have to understand what the customer wants, not just try to push a cell phone sale to everyone that walks in the door..
It starts by listening to what the customer says, after you say, "May I help you?"
it has gotten so bad that when McDs tries to forceful upsize my order, I just turn around and walk out the door without explaination. Push, push, push is rude. I have money. I came in to buy something. Don't treat me like a dumbo. And don't treat me like my sale is too small.
Here's another side to the coin: customers don't provide feedback. Consider how many times they, either RadioShack or some other company, has asked you to fill out a survey to improve customer this or that or product A or B etc. While I fill out surveys for exceptional customer service, the other 99% of the time no way. It leaves my brain the moment I put the receipt in the bag and drive off. How many customers would you estimate actually go home and take the time to fill out their surveys? All that's left since there's little to no feedback is a shot in the dark or go with a trend. In RadioShack's case, that's selling cellphones. They're hot items, everyone generally has one in the United States and the rest of the developed world. I mean ffs when I was in Afghanistan they even had cellphones! Obviously it was a little fishy when they did have them, but regardless, the technology is there and some do use it. So it makes sense that RadioShack would abandon it's hobbyist mentality and go for the trend, provided that the cause was lack of feedback or usable customer information. My opinion is that the cause for a lot of the Smile products we see are due to our own inabilities, in whatever capacity, to provide the feedback requested. And as such, we suffer from our own laziness, or busy-ness, or whatever you want to call it.
Thoughts?
Once upon a time, people listened to each other in a meaningful way to increase sales. Now we just poke and prod people is to spending money out of impuse, often driven by frustration.
What's missing? Business has decide that customers are not entitled to their own shopping agenda and spending money with a personal purpose.
And so, sales are down. I don't want to fill out questionares. I want someone to listen to what my wants and goals are when I walk in a store.
Of course management has to also listens to their sales people and reward their insights rahter than treat them like clone puppets. What we call shopping nowadays has become so unfun that I rarely do it.
The quality at Radio Shack is the result of an attitude about product choice that is very similar to Wallmart. If RS cannot get it for a price that squeezes the supplier, they are not willing to buy. The simple fact is that it is much easier to squeeze price out of second-rate suppliers as they have stagnant sales.
Technicians generally know that I'm happy with the previous job they did if I point them towards the lunch room and tell them to 'please use a mug from the cabinet if you want a coffee. It tastes better than if you use those paper cups'.
(We have a large hot drinks dispenser that even grinds coffee beans, and with the IT department the primary users, the beans are always fresh... )
If I go into a store to buy something, and I see something I don't like, or there's something missing that I expected to find, I will tell the staff about it. I don't expect them to bring in a new item just on my say so, but I expect them to take note and at least mention it to someone higher up.
Onto cell-phones and accessories for them...
I actually know of a place where they sell more cell-phones and other Smile than even RadioWreck...
The MBK shopping mall in Bangkok...
On some floors it's bl**dy impossible to swing a cat without hitting a booth selling the stuff...
(OK, it's difficult enough to just swing a cat, the way they've squeezed all the booths together... )