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Backpack

G McMurryG McMurry Posts: 134
edited 2015-01-17 14:32 in General Discussion
Is the BACKBACK ever going to be available?

Greg

Comments

  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2015-01-16 21:17
    IIRC it was discontinued.
  • G McMurryG McMurry Posts: 134
    edited 2015-01-17 07:41
    NWCCTV wrote: »
    IIRC it was discontinued.

    I wonder why they keep showing it on the website...

    Can anyone suggest any options?

    I need to read high speed serial data and create a status screen with about 10 to 20 lines of data. I already have the serial data as 38.4K RS232.

    Things like:
    Speed = 8.5 MPH
    Current = XXX
    AC Volts = XXX
    CD Volts = XX.X
    Air Pressure = XXX\

    I am happy to use a BASIC STAMP to read the Serial Data I just need something to create video or even better, VGA that I can feed a panel mounted 7" or 9" VGA monitor. I thought I would use something that is designed to install in an automobile.

    Greg
  • Buck RogersBuck Rogers Posts: 2,185
    edited 2015-01-17 07:54
    NWCCTV wrote: »
    IIRC it was discontinued.

    Hello!
    If we are talking about http://www.parallax.com/product/28327 then yes sadly it does say "Product not available". Which is too bad because its a delightful device to work with. And I'm stepping through about a dozen different thought experiments to see where to go with the one I have.

    It would be nice if these discontinued items show a date when that happened, and then show a listing for how many survivors are available and including terms for a lifetime buy.....
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2015-01-17 08:07
    The schematic doesn't look terribly complex, and the source code is available. If you only need one it could probably replicated in a day or so using one of the protoboards as a starting point.
  • LtechLtech Posts: 380
    edited 2015-01-17 08:58
    One more !

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/158061-Propeller-Backpack-not-available?highlight=backpack
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2015-01-17 09:58
    Greg: I may have a new Propeller Backback in storage. I can take a look if you like, but as delivered that puts out composite video, not VGA. You can program it or any other (cheaper) Propeller to output VGA, if that's what you're after. http://learn.parallax.com/propeller-c-simple-devices/vga-text-display If you can find an original Propeller Demo Board (also discontinued), it has a built-in VGA connector. http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/135152-Program-in-Propeller-Demo-Board-Chip-and-VGA-Demo-Programs

    But since you mentioned an automotive display in your first post, I will say that you probably need rather large text to read at a quick glance on a small monitor. You may be better off with a composite monitor for that application. Prior to the Propeller Backpack, Parallax sold Bean's SX Video Module which output large text to a composite monitor. http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/83969-SX-Video-OSD-Board-reset Very commonly used with a Stamp.

    You raise a good point, though. Someone (?) should sell a cheap dedicated turnkey module to quickly and easily display serial data on a VGA monitor. Anyone know of something along these lines?
  • koolvistakoolvista Posts: 16
    edited 2015-01-17 12:05
    Check Hobby Engineering for Backpacks and a lot of other Propeller cards.

    http://www.hobbyengineering.com/H4850.html
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2015-01-17 14:32
    Good call, koolvista!

    This isn't the first time that Hobby Engineering has Parallax stuff that's out of stock everywhere else. I turned Parallax's own Ken Gracey on to the "Twinkle Toes" accessory for the Toddler robot a few years back. Now it's finally out of stock: http://www.hobbyengineering.com/H1695.html
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