A LED Display for Smarter Every Day

Smarter Every Day recently tweeted about looking for a display that someone in a different part of the country could update while he was live streaming, I felt like this was the perfect project for me so I decided to build it!
This was actually a pretty simple project that costs about $60 to make, and is actually a lot of fun! You could reduce the price by $20 if you only use one panel
Here is Destin's tweet: / 1351921431257505792
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Project Link (code, instructions. parts etc):
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github.com/witnessmenow/Scrol...
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Where to get the Shield:
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My Tindie Store (will be back shipping soon) - www.tindie.com/products/brian...
UK based (ships elsewhere) - store.eplop.co.uk/product/esp...
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My Discord:
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Come hang out and talk about this video or any project you are working on!
/ discord
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Github Sponsorship:
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I have set up a Github Sponsorship page, it's similar style thing to patreon. Github sponsorships help support videos like these plus the open source projects I create.
github.com/sponsors/witnessme...
Some people have said they would prefer a once off way of supporting the channel, here is a Paypal link if you would prefer that!
www.paypal.me/bloughyt
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My Tindie Store:
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My tindie store is currently on vacation mode, it will re-open shortly.
www.tindie.com/stores/brianlo...
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Other Platforms:
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Twitter: @witnessmenow - / witnessmenow
Instagram - / brian_lough
Instructables: witnessmenow - www.instructables.com/member/...
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My Tools & Kit*:
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Ender 3 Pro 3d Printer - I got one of these recently and I love it!
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Ts-100 Soldering Iron - I have this a couple of years and I love it, I thinking about getting a second!
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Logitech C920 HD 1080p Pro webcam - I use one of these for my videos
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Blue Snowball USB Microphone
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Self Adjusting Wire Strippers
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[@Kevindarrah]

the telegram integration is pretty slick

[@BrianLough]

Thanks! I honestly have not forgotten about the trig board! I do need to find if since the move though!

[@paulb36utube]

I would like to thank you for the way you go through everything. I’m a bit of a slow learner so going step by step is really helpful for beginners. I made the esp32 Bluetooth keyboard and modified the code (after much trial and error of course) and it works like a dream. Being a bit skint on cash finding the non dodgy stores also is very comforting. Thank you so much.

[@BrianLough]

You're welcome! Delighted to hear you liked this step by step, will definitely be doing more like them

[@edgaro.4564]

@@BrianLough Can you share with Us the code you use for BT Keyboard with the project? Thanks

[@BrianLough]

Code is linked here kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqSsnIptrNSaqKc

[@ADizz2000]

An easy way to get around the issue of the text freezing, is to use esp-idf to do the programming. You can use the freertos to create tasks that run concurrently. Personally for esp projects i prefer idf because it gives more control over specifics like these.

[@ZachMattson]

I just want to let you know that your idea of using a Telegram bot was exactly what I needed for an entirely separate project! I watched this for the information on controlling a matrix, and left with even more. You earned a subscription from me!

[@sebastiansombra]

Very nice project, I love the idea of Telegram to update the message. I didn't know that I needed a LED display until now! :) (already ordered the parts!)

[@jenskaa4044]

ESP32 is running a freertos OS, so you could use two tasks, one for the display and one for fetching data. Actually your loop is a rtos task, so you only need to start one task

[@BrianLough]

I have done that in the past with a different display, I just wasn't sure if it would work with the matrix display kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXPbe2mum7lres0 I think the solution I tried here was fine anyways

[@tobo5757]

Top Brian, great maner of explanation. New project for the panels.

[@meagrebones]

Nice relaxed style, I relly learned a lot.

[@aarriikknn33ll]

Great video Brian, i really appreciate it.. i love your way of explain things! You have helped me a ton with your videos to finish my projects. Just wanted to say this :)

[@Colin_Ames]

Very interesting. The detail and clarity of instruction in your videos makes them extremely enjoyable to watch, even if I won’t get around to building most of the projects (although I do plan on making the Tetris clock). Keep up the good work!

[@weirdboyjim]

That was a great tutorial thanks Brian! All the more impressive in that it's clear how quick you turned it around including video editing.

[@gracc46]

awesome,loving your vids.Very informative and educational.

[@BrianLough]

Thank you!

[@MrBobWareham]

Thanks, Brian a very good video I love the way you say and just a bit of code it's like it only typing!!

[@andymouse]

Great looking vid Brian ! ...cheers.

[@BrianLough]

Thanks Andy

[@VHofstede]

Great video Brian! I tried following your previous video on LED displays but couldn't get anything working properly (I tried soldering the pins instead of dupont cables but those connections weren't solid enough). I ended up shortcircuiting my ESP32 somehow and I think the blue LED's on the bottom side of my displays are fried aswell. I ordered new parts and will definitely try again thanks to your inspiration!

[@arifadam1915]

please share his video to all friends and family and let it reach 1 million as this is the only channel explain everything in detail

[@ChunkySteveo]

Awesome video as always Brian! I do hope Dustin reaches out to you after this, or gives your method a nod! And another reason to get these pixel panels bought!!!! 2021 - I must buy a panel!

[@BrianLough]

Do it! Year of the led panel

[@maxximumb]

Awesome project.

[@garrypkeogh]

Nice result! I used your Telegram library to build a Telegram to MQTT bridge for some home automations way back, you gave me a little support at the time. IIRC it was to allow family members to trigger "stuff" without having to put MQTT clients on their devices and open ports on the home network. I would be very surprised if there is a much more simple or reliable DIY than this, well done!

[@vgentela]

Perfect in Details

[@paultargett5211]

Really liked the style/feel of this one Brian!!

[@BrianLough]

Thanks Paul! I thought originally it might be a bit slow for more experienced people, but glad to hear you liked it

[@paultargett5211]

@@BrianLough the pace was well controlled covering both hardware and software with enough detail to understand but without getting bogged down in any one thing.

[@cann0nf0der]

Awesome 👍

[@hassanzahin1534]

Hey Brian, Esp32 comes with two cores. You can offload telegram to one of the cores while controlling the panel with the other.

[@bramSDASCL1759]

Nice project 👍,,

[@James02876]

You can use the two cores fairly simply. There's a method that allows you to pass data and events from one core to the outings. I implemented both cores on a BLE scanner project for the esp32, and the documentation was good and clear, and of course Kolban's videos and writing was crucial.

[@BrianLough]

I've used multiple cores a few times before, even made a video on it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXPbe2mum7lres0 I just have never used it with this exact setup with the matrix panel. I was happy with the check between scroll solution in the end so I thought I'd keep the project simple

[@voltlog]

Nice one! 👍

[@AnimaMaestro]

Hi Brian !! Very nice project !! Discovered you through the MakeCast video. I'd like to get in touch with that community. Just started my KZbin channel showcasing my animatronic project.

[@MrFurriephillips]

New subscriber here - looking forward to watching your videos!

[@BrianLough]

Thanks, welcome along!

[@jstro-hobbytech]

I find half the esp boards i buy hate being programmed haha. Its driving me bananas. The blue boards just wont and the node ones are hit or miss.

[@spikekent]

Fantastic project Brian. I'm a big fan of LEDs, in all their forms. Just hope all this brexit crap gets sorted so I can get some of those panels and your board kits too.

[@davidkempton2894]

Hello Brian. This was a great video and it inspired me to get a couple of panels. However I have failed miserably to get them working properly with the I2S-DMA panel library. I can get them to work properly with the PxMatrix library however. Hardware issues I suspect. I am using one of your issue 3 D1 Mini E32 Matrix Breakout boards. However the strangest thing is that I cannot get your Telegram sketches to work on ESP32s and yet they work on ESP8266s. Has anyone else had the same issue? The comms between the bot and the board just dont work. In particular I have tried your Echobot sketch on both boards types and can only get it to work on the ESP8266. Any suggestions? 🙂

[@violentcrumble6720]

Hey Brian! Your work on the LED matrix was super helpful! I was actually able to get a 32x64 working with an esp8266 which previously took me so many attempts and I just wanted able to do it! But I have hit a road block on the facebook side of things! Is there any chance you can provide some help on getting the page likes from a facebook page using the 8266? I have tried your library which was a little outdated. There was also a pull request which updated it and yet It still doesn't work and I just don't know what is going wrong. thank you! I would be happy to hear any alternative either, basically just trying to display facebook likes count on the screen.

[@Grimor.]

Hi Brian. Just a new Sub here! I have some cuestions for you. Does someone already ported this project to 8266? Is there a simple metod for send text (scrolling prefered) to the 64x32 with nodemcu esp8266 via bluetooh with a HC05 or similar? I can´t find a skecht for this. Your KZbin Subs stats example doesn`t pass from the Brian Lought screen for me, so is the API still running? Thanks and congratullations for your awesome work!

[@nigel1964]

Hi thanks for that very informative

[@BrianLough]

Thanks Nigel, does that scroll example look familiar 😅

[@DigicoolThings]

Hey Brian. Is that a new Oculus Quest 2 that I see in the background over your shoulder? I’ve been spending way too much time in VR land lately, with Q2 and also Reverb G2. How are your Beat Saber skills progressing? ps. Another awesomely done educational video too. :-)

[@BrianLough]

It is! Keen eye! I haven't actually used if much, I only got it recently and it's actually for work. It's amazing how far they have come in a few years! Have you tried super hot? It's my favorite VR game

[@DigicoolThings]

@@BrianLough I’ve got Super Hot, but yet to play. Mostly playing Eleven Table Tennis and some great free Sidequest loaded shooters on the Quest 2 (Pavlov and Aim XR). Other than that, too much time lost in Half Life:Alyx, a mind blowing PC VR experience. Oh, and also 3D blu-ray movie viewing in a SkyBoxVR virtual cinema. Great fun, but don’t forget the real world! :-)

[@Bob_Burton]

Great stuff Brian I really like that style of presentation and having the full details available of GitHub Do you know when the Matrix Shields will be available in the UK (and the cost, of course !) ?

[@BrianLough]

My store is currently on vacation mode but I have disabled shipping to the UK due to the new VAT restrictions on imports since January. I'm hoping to sort out some alternatives soon, plus tindie are meant to be sorting the vat stuff on their end too

[@Bob_Burton]

@@BrianLough Thanks for the clarification

[@BrianLough]

Hi UKHeliBob, I have sorted out a stockist in the UK, Colin Hickey, he has small amount of stock ready to go at the moment! store.eplop.co.uk/product/esp32-i2s-matrix-shield/

[@Bob_Burton]

@@BrianLough Thanks

[@marcelocorrea7916]

First, congratulations for the video! Just one question! How many modules can you attach together? Power requirements (in the AliExpress link mentioned 300w and 8kg that should be the plate full of modules)? When searching I also found adafruit modules that mention hub75 connections! Are those related in any way? Regards,

[@BrianLough]

Thanks so much! The most I've ever tested is 4 (that's as much as I had of one type). But the author of the library just posted a picture of 12! twitter.com/witnessmenow/status/1358907117378363394?s=19 It really depends on what your doing as more leds illuminated will equal more power, but each panel can use up 2.4A if all white (they use 5V) Weight wise is way lower than that each anyways, I just sent 4 of them ( to guess who! 😅) with a lot of packaging and in total it was less than 1.8KG yeah the ones adafruit sell would be the same thing. Just personally for me the adafruit ones would cost me about 4 times the price by the time I paid postage to Ireland and then import fees.

[@hans4me2]

Awesome video! How many of these matrix panels can the ESP32 drive or what is the maximum resolution?

[@BrianLough]

Definitely can drive 4 of these anyways! I don't have any more to test at the moment

[@jpconstantineau]

Wow, I just looked at Destin Tweet and the deluge of replies he got; including all the non-sense ones. Brian: I hope you are the lucky winner!

[@BrianLough]

I don't mean this in a disrespectful way to the other people who replied to the tweet, but there is a saying that comes to mind "when all you have is a hammer , all problems start to look like nails". The esp32 and especially these panels are relatively niche in the wider scheme of things so unless you were into this stuff , I think it's probably quite suprising how easy it can be. I tried to target this video for people like that so they can add another tool to the tool belt!

[@jamieevans2413]

Hi Brian - I had a look at your tindie store for the driver board for this project but it states you don’t ship to the UK, is there another method of purchasing these boards?

[@muthumani81]

Hi Brian thanks you so much for the awesome video. I'm a beginner in ESP32, I'm having a doubt like ESP32 is having dual core processor. Shall we use one core for text scrolling and another for Telegram message processing?. If I'm wrong please excuse me.

[@BrianLough]

Hey, if you are a beginner and you already know about dual cores you are doing quite well! Yes I think that plan is a good idea I've used multiple cores a few times before, even made a video on it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXPbe2mum7lres0 I just have never used it with this exact setup with the matrix panel. I was happy with the check between scroll solution in the end so I thought I'd keep the project simple

[@gerrikoio]

Have you ever considered using Google's Firebase for the remote web interface. There is an ESP32 library for this (can also pull this off the Arduino IDE library manager): github.com/mobizt/Firebase-ESP32 Basically the ESP32 would subscribe to the Firebase project (the project developer, e.g. yourself, would need a Google account to set one up and it's free to use). Then a remote user can enter some text via say a web-browser or even a mobile app and this will update in the Firebase project. The ESP32 would get this info as soon as the data field is updated. There's a bunch of examples given in that library to help you.

[@laurentstrodiot8434]

Hi Brian, thanks for the video, this is great work. Do you think this would work with micropython ? is there any libraries available out there for that ? Best.

[@BrianLough]

Sorry I've never used Micropython so I'm not sure what libraries exist for it

[@adayinthelifeofadiyer8575]

Hi Brian I'm no coding smarty pants. I liked what you did but was wondering for my application if we could make it really basic. I'm looking for a way to display specific and different words at the touch of different push button switches. Ie. 1st button if pushed would make the board say "help" if the 2nd push button pressed would say for example "next" and so on. Possibly a 6 or 8 press button switch board each different custom words. It doesn't have to be remotely controlled, wired is fine. Your input would be greatly appreciated. Regards Kev

[@Davedarko]

HELLO BRIAN FROM IRELAND I ALREADY KNOW YOU GOOD LUCK K BYE

[@BrianLough]

SORRY DAVE FROM BERLIN

[@Davedarko]

@@BrianLough HOW DO YOU KNOW I'M FROM BERLIN THIS IS AWESOME WHY ARE WE SCREAMING

[@JonnyBergdahl]

@@Davedarko I thought it was the UPPER CASE guy Clem first. But nope.

[@Davedarko]

@@JonnyBergdahl SORRY TO LET YOU DOWN I PROMISED I WOULD NEVER DO THAT

[@jumadhaheri]

Fantastic, you cloud dual tasks

[@shadyfly2576]

Use dual core of esp32, core 0 is slower then core one however

[@5VoltChannel]

👍👍

[@billd01rfc]

Excellent video, thnx! what is the name (search term) for the LED panels? they look interseting. thx billd

[@BrianLough]

"Led matrix panel" should get it, the particular ones I'm using are 64x32 and are "p3" which dictates how physically large they are (bigger p number, bigger the panel) I've linked to the ones I bought in the project GitHub page. Sometimes they pop up on amazon for not a lot more. Adafruit also sell them but they were quite expensive last I checked

[@billd01rfc]

@@BrianLough Thnx! I loved the simples methodology of your build. start simple, then add layers as you go. I use the Blynk platform to control a lot of sensors/devices remotely. to many beginners jump in at the deep end, without first proving that the basics work. thnx again, billd

[@xboxgamer9216]

so for the problem that the message keeps stopping while scrolling .why not use the esp32s second core for fetching the detail and the first core for displaying message instead of just waiting for the data to be fetched again while wafting or it stopping in middle .

[@BrianLough]

Hey, I cover this topic at 19:50, the solution I had worked fine so no point making it more complex

[@xboxgamer9216]

@@BrianLough oh didn't notice that sorry

[@Whoisin3]

How many boards can be connected together?

[@jrovduki]

hi i followed your instructions i got the demo working fine but when i use your code i have no display im only using 1 dotmatrix is there anything i have to change for it to work as i figured it would just work with the demo working fine

[@krianga6068]

Cool projects and good for beginner. I would like to ask how can I connect 2 boards of 64x32 LED display to work like 64x64 LED display. Do you have an example how to connect the lines and adjust a code? Thank you.

[@BrianLough]

Hello, you need to configure things a little differently for that, there is an example and some explanation here: github.com/mrfaptastic/ESP32-HUB75-MatrixPanel-I2S-DMA/tree/master/examples/ChainedPanels

[@krianga6068]

@@BrianLough Thank you for your reply and this is again very good project. Do you have an example for ESP8266? If not then I have to buy ESP32 and try again because I tried on ESP8266 finally found a warning.

[@BrianLough]

This library doesn't work with the esp8266, try PxMatrix, that should work. Don't believe it has the feature to use 2 64x32 as. 64x64 though

[@krianga6068]

@@BrianLough I just received ESP32 Dev Kit V1 and I want to know how to wire connection for ESP32. Could you please share me a link for this? Thank you again.

[@BrianLough]

Wiring instructions are on the readme of the library I linked to above

[@bdhaliwal24]

Hi Brian I've seen a bunch of examples around where you connect JPIN into the ESP32 using about 8 wires, and then you connect 5 wires from JPOUT into the JPIN ribbon panel. I notice in your video however you only plug into JPIN. For me without connecting JPIN and JPOUT together I can only display RED LEDs and no other colours. Is this JPIN/JPOUT arrangement something specific to ESP32?

[@BrianLough]

There is two main libraries for controlling the matrix panels using an esp32 to the panels, pxmatrix and i2s matrix library (that I use in this video) Px matrix is wired as you describe. I prefer the i2s matrix library though as it's faster. If you're wired for the i2s matrix library and still only getting red, that usually points to not having the panel powered

[@andresvargas2448]

Hi Brian, I'm from Mexico. I would like to know if there is any possibility of communicating with you, I am doing a project with ESP32 and 4 HUB75 but when wanting to display text or figures it only makes spots or thick lines on the screen

[@prachethire812]

Can we use Arduino and esp8266.

[@abhishektrivedi4604]

Hello sir I Am implementing this same functionality on 8 16x32 with help of esp32 is this librery usefull for me because I am new in programming. Help me by providing some guidence

[@Hasitier]

Hey Brian. Would this also work with an esp8266 and the boards I got from you a while ago? This is a solution I was searching for a while now and it will come in handy.

[@BrianLough]

It would have to be ported to work with px matrix instead of the i2s matrix library, but it should be pretty straight forward to do

[@Hasitier]

@@BrianLough ok so I assume the newer i2s library is not compatible with the older hardware esp8266 then? So I have to decide wether to port it or to use and esp32.

[@BrianLough]

@@Hasitier no the esp8266 doesn't support that library and the two libraries physical use different pins anyways so even the esp32 version of the px matrix shield doesn't work with it

[@zaffero79]

Hi, in aliexpress the vendor of p3 rgb panel says this : ''Recently, several client told that this led panels can't work with ESP8266 and ESP32 controller, please use raspberry PI controller." It is correct? Maybe is a new panel model.

[@BrianLough]

I can't guarantee anything with these panels, but that message has been there for a long time (years) and I bought my most recent one in November and it works fine.

[@baw578]

Can the Adafruit Circuit Playground Express drive the LED panel?

[@BrianLough]

It wouldn't have enough pins anyways, but the library I use is specific for the esp32

[@el_mario_reus]

hmmm, and some ws2812b? 8x32 +wemos?

[@BrianLough]

You could do the same with addressable leds, but the reason I like the panels is they are just ready to go, no need to glue to a structure etc.

[@rollpitchyall7589]

Do you have a link to those screens?

[@BrianLough]

Links for the parts used are in the GitHub project link

[@JonnyBergdahl]

Where is the chat window?

[@BrianLough]

You don't like the stream format 😅 I was trying to be more personal 🙂

[@sebastiansombra]

Hi. First of all, thanks for sharing this project, the video is so easy to follow, even for a beginner like me, that I went and ordered all the components. I just wired the hardware and I am able to upload examples from the ESP 32 Matrix library so I know the display and the ESP32 are working and talking. However, when I try to upload your code I get the following error: 'class MatrixPanel_I2S_DMA' has no member named 'showDMABuffer' I am using the recommended hardware (ESP32 D1 Mini, Led Matrix) Any idea what Am I doing wrong?

[@sebastiansombra]

In function 'void loop()': ScrollingTextMatrixTelegram:167:17: error: 'class MatrixPanel_I2S_DMA' has no member named 'showDMABuffer' dma_display.showDMABuffer();

[@sebastiansombra]

I changed to an older version of the Matrix library and now I can upload the sketch without problems, BUT, I have nothing displayed in the panel, not even the initial text. If I open the monitor I get "got response" every time I send something to telegram, but again, nothing in the matrix panel...

[@ProfeTucho]

@@sebastiansombra Same problem here! tried cmmenting out the showDMABuffer lines, but it didn't work. Any help would be much appreciated, this is a great project! Thanks, Brian!

[@sebastiansombra]

@@ProfeTucho Hola, por tu nombre asumo que hablas español :). Lo primero que hice fue usar una versión antigua de la librería, con eso pude hacerlo funcionar, aunque después tuve otros problemas (quizás relacionados con mi panel en particular) que tuve que ir solucionando. Te recomiendo que vayas al Discord y ahí hagas las preguntas, ahí Brian me ayudó a resolverlos mis problemas.

[@ProfeTucho]

@@sebastiansombra Asumes correctamente! :) Acabo de conseguir hacer que funcione, aunque no sé muy bien como. Aún así, me pasaré por el Discord para ver cual hubiera sido la solución más eficiente, porque la mía es una gran chapuza! :D Un saludo y muchas gracias!

[@James-sz2hr]

What monitors do you use?

[@arturo182]

Looks like the right one bent from heat!

[@BrianLough]

The larger one is a Gigabyte G32QC-EK, its a curved 2k monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate. The other is a cheap one from a few years ago LG 27UD59P 27" IPS 4K

[@James-sz2hr]

@@BrianLough Thanks!

[@DiyintheGhetto]

Your Tendie store says you are on holiday delay still.

[@BrianLough]

Trying to sort out some shipping issues at the moment, it will be open again soon. I'm also trying to get other stockists , I have a couple lined up for the US that will come online in a few weeks

[@DiyintheGhetto]

@@BrianLough okay cool

[@JulianKnight-IT]

Sadly your Tindie doesn't ship to the UK

[@BrianLough]

Hi Julian, the store is currently on vacation mode anyways but I have disabled shipping to the UK due to the new VAT restrictions on imports since January. I'm hoping to sort out some alternatives soon, plus tindie are meant to be sorting the vat stuff on their end too

[@BrianLough]

Hi Julian, I have sorted out a stockist in the UK, Colin Hickey, he has small amount of stock ready to go at the moment! store.eplop.co.uk/product/esp32-i2s-matrix-shield/

[@JulianKnight-IT]

@@BrianLough Cool, thanks for that! Keep up the great work. 😎

[@MikeNewham]

Any free PICO's Brian :)

[@BrianLough]

I think I'm more likely to get a TinyPICO off unexpected maker than a pi Pico! It looks like an interesting chip, but so many of my projects are network based that it wouldn't be a good fit for me for a lot of what I want to do