µCurrent GOLD on Kickstarter

[mikeselectricstuff]

What is the purpose of the Short position while switched on ? 

It allows you to switch in a short so you can change ranges (break-before-make) without disturbing your circuit. It has been a requested feature.

Would it not make more sense to have the short in place when in "off" mode (as well)?

Maybe

I can't see a reason to not to have it short when off - if you're using it as a debugging/development aid, a lot of the time you won't be wanting to measure, so want it off to save battery, but don't want the hassle of disconnecting.

[wilheldp]

I can't see a reason to not to have it short when off - if you're using it as a debugging/development aid, a lot of the time you won't be wanting to measure, so want it off to save battery, but don't want the hassle of disconnecting.

There are probably a lot of good ideas (especially from folks of your pedigree) that could be incorporated into the uCurrent.  But at this state in the uCurrent development and the KickStarter campaign, I doubt Dave wants to start re-spinning boards.  Plus, there's always the uCurrent BeCu to look forward to.

[george graves]

PS: Just found out, that you were using a CSM2512 metal foil precision shunt, from Vishay Precision. (about 6AU$ @ 1000EA)

Holy crap!  I'd hate to be the one that is paying your invoices.  Mind if I ask if you ordered all the parts before you did the kickstarter?  I thought you were always against taking pre-orders?

[krux]

Nice.  Just backed it.  I had been meaning to pick one of the original ones up, since I've needed one on quite a few occasions. 

[EEVblog]

PS: Just found out, that you were using a CSM2512 metal foil precision shunt, from Vishay Precision. (about 6AU$ @ 1000EA)

Holy crap!  I'd hate to be the one that is paying your invoices.  Mind if I ask if you ordered all the parts before you did the kickstarter?  I thought you were always against taking pre-orders?

Yes, as mentioned in the campaign I bought some of the critical items because I didn't want to get caught short. And I will likely have to buy the rest with my own money as well, because KS take 2 weeks after the campaign to pay, and that sucks.
I've been in this kit game a long time, so I know roughly how many of these I can sell, so the risk was small.
Yes, I'm usually against pre-orders, but I'm trying out these crowd funding things to see how well they work. I talk about them all the time, and to have no experience with them means I'm just talking out my arse.

[hikariuk]

12 AUD (international shipping) + 79 AUD (uCurrent) x 1.2 (customs fee) x1.2 (taxes) + 3.5 AUD (delivery from customs office to me) = 129 AUD. That is to much money. Plus, I am self-unemployed and without a creditcard...

Ouch, that really adds up 

At least your shipping isn't as bad as  the 555 kit you showed; their cheapest option for shipping to the UK is over 40 USD.

[EEVblog]

and that's been a problem weighing on your mind for how long?
 

Well, true! I'd prefer not to talk out my arse though!

[VK3DRB]

Will the uCurrent have C-Tick or RCM label?

[EEVblog]

Will the uCurrent have C-Tick or RCM label?

Nope.

[Hyperbyte]

Hello from Portugal,

I Pledged and can't wait for March

Keep it you

[VK3DRB]

Hi Dave. For my own education, how come? Obviously it is from a technical perspective fully compliant (certainly no EMI!), but it used to be all non-purely passive devices (light bulbs) needed approvals. Maybe things have changed. I looked at the ACMA website and I could not find any info in its messed up website. That ACMA needs a new webmaster. It is almost as bad as the Motorola semiconductor website a few years ago.

Hey, I might owe you $2.5K or part thereof... I had lunch with you at the electronics expo in Melbourne about 2 years ago at the tennis centre. But for now I am more than happy to have pledged for a uCurrent (worth every cent!)

[EEVblog]

Hi Dave. For my own education, how come?

Because it would be silly. I'm not going to go waste tens of thousands of dollars getting approvals for every country I have to sell this into. No one else in this game is silly enough to do it, and I'm not either. No one cares.

[hammy]

Hi Dave,

thank you for the new µCurrent GOLD. Great work!   
I had pledge it to support you and Sagan and I'm looking forward to get it next march.

Unfortunately my wife denied to pledge the 2500$AUD and Flight to Australia as a christmas gift.

hammy

[bookaboo]

Backed, looking forward to getting my hands on it.

[Jonas_H]

Backed it. Have been wanting this for some time now and it's always nice to support Daves good work.

Had no problems paying for it without a credit card. I used a virtual debit card ("e-kort") from Swedbank that is a one time MasterCard with no credit.

[u271D]

Hy Dave how do I get one of the green ones?

[Scutarius]

What is the purpose of the Short position while switched on ? 

It allows you to switch in a short so you can change ranges (break-before-make) without disturbing your circuit. It has been a requested feature.

Would it not make more sense to have the short in place when in "off" mode (as well)?

Maybe

I can't see a reason to not to have it short when off - if you're using it as a debugging/development aid, a lot of the time you won't be wanting to measure, so want it off to save battery, but don't want the hassle of disconnecting.

Yes, it could be

off & short
Short (led on?)
On

[Scutarius]

..or maybe just a less deep case - looks like there's quite a bit of empty space.

 I second that

[EEVblog]

Hy Dave how do I get one of the green ones?

You mean the one with the crappy silkscreen?

[gemby]

Hy Dave how do I get one of the green ones?

You mean the one with the crappy silkscreen?

If it is fully functional pcb's, meaning, nothing is wrong on them, except silkscreen, why not make a special, Green Gold Edition, sign it, send it to me ( yes i backed too ) , u271D and 100th or 1000th baker for free 

[EEVblog]

..or maybe just a less deep case - looks like there's quite a bit of empty space.

Yes, but handy to accommodate bigger battery if desired. 3 x AAA's works well, or maybe 3V lithium.
I'm not sure how willing the (Australian) manufacturer would be to do custom stuff.
I've asked before for 1000qty to get some holes drilled, or even just provide it without the lid (that's just wasted), but no joy.
Black, Grey, translucent blue, and clear are three colour options I can likely get.
I've showed the translucent blue before and no on liked it.

[u271D]

yes the ones with the crappy silk screen   
Über limited; and remember I asked first   
and said please

[kodi]

Woohoo - uCurrent Gold is mentioned on Silicon Labs FB page (with nice picture of it connected to Gecko STK and a link to Kickstarter campaign)

[JoannaK]

700+ units pledged ... and 10 days left..   

[EEVblog]

700+ units pledged ... and 10 days left..   

That's more than I was expecting, and puts it into a difficult category. I was going to get 1000 made, but if I get closer toward 1000, then I'll have to jump that up to 1250 or maybe 1500 units. Because component volume and pricing works best at that point. And I'll need some for the eventual dealer requests and ongoing post sales.
Any need above that gets awkward again in terms of component pricing and reel qty.
Also, it's at a point where I can't test or ship them all myself, so I'll now have to set up a decent test system that can be used at the assemblers, and find a way to ship these as well. If it was say 500 units, I would gone bugger it, I'll just do it all myself.
But I knew this might happen of course.
It's a good thing, right?