TeDaDeS
Forum Addict!
Those pictures really look like these ones from the forums:
https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/th...and-other-nice-news.77849/page-8#post-1389826
Test the keymat!
- Thread starter EvilDragon
- Start date
https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/th...and-other-nice-news.77849/page-8#post-1389826
second exodous
Advanced Member
So the Pyra will be as slim as the Pandora with an updated case? I think I remember one of the news updates that said it could be slimmed down. I remember the cases that will ship won't be slimmer but a top or bottom can be purchased to make it thinner? Or is it thicker for the cooling?
The shoulder buttons look amazing though, can't wait to try the shell when I get it.
levi
Still fresh, damnit!
I personally doubt the Pyra can reach the Pandora sveltness even with the most updated case there ever is - it's got more PCBs and a bigger battery in there, plus those quad shoulder buttons probably need to retain a bit of vertical separation if possible.
second exodous
Advanced Member
Ah, ok, I was thinking that about the shoulder buttons myself. I thought I red ED saying it could be slimmed down at a later date with a case revision but the molds were already machined that deep.
levi
Still fresh, damnit!
Yes, that much is true; he has announced that he can see how the unit could be slimmed and will probably hopefully make available slimmer case parts for anyone wanting to upgrade down the line. I just don't think they'll make it as slim as the Pandora, much less anything like the GPD win. The Pyra looks to be about 5mm thicker than the Pandora in that shot, at a rough guess, and I'd be surprised if ED manages to lose more than about 2 or 3 millimeters.
second exodous
Advanced Member
So now only one person between the package and me, woohoo!
comradekingu
Glowing ember
@second exodous Your pyra is in another castle 
second exodous
Advanced Member
Wow, now I'm excited to see Grench's pictures, I wish I lived in a castle!@second exodous Your pyra is in another castle
Grench
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It is getting late - so this will be more pictures than explanation. In another subject area someone asked about devices plugged into the back - if there were room for 2 USB sticks shoulder to shoulder - and if the inset on the back would interfere with plugging anything in. I thought I could/should solve that.
The box has been around a few blocks. It's just an old HDD cardboard shipper - but a well traveled one.
I'm not sure what's with the stickers that were inside the box - an entertaining collection though.
The Pyra keyboard test mule didn't come with a stylus, but I have a few on hand. My understanding is that it will use the same stylus shape/spec as the Pandora. Pandora stylus & a RHS.
Pandora stylus in slot - there wasn't a stylus holder clip either, but you can see where it would sit.
RHS in slot - I may have to make the RHS longer for the Pyra than the Pandora?
The microSD and SIM combo slot:
Opened:
Loading a microSD - slides into hooks in the lifted flap.
SDXC slots:
Yes - these card slots are upside down. Card inserts with the contacts side up. I understand this may be fixed on a later motherboard revision?
Cards inserted - they sit just right/flush.
Volume wheel on the test mule has seen better days. It doesn't turn. I did not open the case to free it.
Sticking game buttons:
Why the buttons stick:
It appears that there is a coating - almost tape-like around the buttons. This is stiffer than the underlying material and has split/expanded to start to hang up the buttons. I was able to momentarily get all 4 to stick. The rest of the keys behaved fantastically.
USB OTG connectors - the microUSB 2.0 one was included in the test mule box. The other two are mine for my Galaxy Note 3 phones.
USB 2.0 OTG 90* connected:
USB 3.0 OTG 90* connected:
Both fully seated. There is no interference from the case plastics.
So how much space is there between the USB type A ports?
Both fit - they touch and just barely push outward - no real force on the socket. They're just taking up the USB 'wiggle room'.
Overly large USB devices will need to go one at a time.
Or use a hub:
Tiny USB to microSDXC adapters:
They seat fully and don't change 'pocketability'.
Why? Pyra wireless bridging relay maybe?
Getting a bit crazy with stuff. It is all plugged into the Pyra keymat test mule:
Portable DVD player?
Yes - just plugged into the Pyra:
About that wrist strap notch that nobody seems to notice:
So - about the keymats... they have been covered in detail, but I'll add my $0.02.
The one that was mounted in the Pyra was excellent - with exception of the game buttons on the right. Those were having some sort of coating delamination issues. I suspect that may be why @EvilDragon made the last set of changes to 'white' with more limited paint.
The alternate keymats were almost all 'too tough'. They were very stiff and difficult to actuate by comparison. Visually, my favorite was actually the one without any clear tops applied.
I added the wrist strap lanyard thing to the box and it is ready to ship on to the next person. I don't have their address yet - so, pending.
The box has been around a few blocks. It's just an old HDD cardboard shipper - but a well traveled one.
I'm not sure what's with the stickers that were inside the box - an entertaining collection though.
The Pyra keyboard test mule didn't come with a stylus, but I have a few on hand. My understanding is that it will use the same stylus shape/spec as the Pandora. Pandora stylus & a RHS.
Pandora stylus in slot - there wasn't a stylus holder clip either, but you can see where it would sit.
RHS in slot - I may have to make the RHS longer for the Pyra than the Pandora?
The microSD and SIM combo slot:
Opened:
Loading a microSD - slides into hooks in the lifted flap.
SDXC slots:
Yes - these card slots are upside down. Card inserts with the contacts side up. I understand this may be fixed on a later motherboard revision?
Cards inserted - they sit just right/flush.
Volume wheel on the test mule has seen better days. It doesn't turn. I did not open the case to free it.
Sticking game buttons:
Why the buttons stick:
It appears that there is a coating - almost tape-like around the buttons. This is stiffer than the underlying material and has split/expanded to start to hang up the buttons. I was able to momentarily get all 4 to stick. The rest of the keys behaved fantastically.
USB OTG connectors - the microUSB 2.0 one was included in the test mule box. The other two are mine for my Galaxy Note 3 phones.
USB 2.0 OTG 90* connected:
USB 3.0 OTG 90* connected:
Both fully seated. There is no interference from the case plastics.
So how much space is there between the USB type A ports?
Both fit - they touch and just barely push outward - no real force on the socket. They're just taking up the USB 'wiggle room'.
Overly large USB devices will need to go one at a time.
Or use a hub:
Tiny USB to microSDXC adapters:
They seat fully and don't change 'pocketability'.
Why? Pyra wireless bridging relay maybe?
Getting a bit crazy with stuff. It is all plugged into the Pyra keymat test mule:
Portable DVD player?
Yes - just plugged into the Pyra:
About that wrist strap notch that nobody seems to notice:
So - about the keymats... they have been covered in detail, but I'll add my $0.02.
The one that was mounted in the Pyra was excellent - with exception of the game buttons on the right. Those were having some sort of coating delamination issues. I suspect that may be why @EvilDragon made the last set of changes to 'white' with more limited paint.
The alternate keymats were almost all 'too tough'. They were very stiff and difficult to actuate by comparison. Visually, my favorite was actually the one without any clear tops applied.
I added the wrist strap lanyard thing to the box and it is ready to ship on to the next person. I don't have their address yet - so, pending.
Last edited:
second exodous
Advanced Member
@EvilDragon Why not just send the addresses right now? like send Grench Mecksg1's, Mecksg1 mine, mine to xrandr, xrandr's to Neelix, Neelix's to Kolbász. I guess Kolbász gets to either keep the package or send it back to you.
@Grench Really great pictures though, at this point I thought all the pictures were taken but you got some really good closeups.
Caine
Hardcore Member
Eight Bit
Hardcore Member
And thanks for trying different plugs to see if they interfere with the case, my mind is eased
I wonder if your double USB to DVD solution would work without an adapter, how much does the drive use and how much current do the USB ports deliver? >500mAh?
My Pandora does drive my Samsung HDD but somehow a DVD drive seems more power hungry because of the mechanical nature of the device.
Interesting, interesting...
I wonder if your double USB to DVD solution would work without an adapter, how much does the drive use and how much current do the USB ports deliver? >500mAh?
My Pandora does drive my Samsung HDD but somehow a DVD drive seems more power hungry because of the mechanical nature of the device.
Interesting, interesting...
spud42
Very Active Member
my Samaung portable DVD writer SE-208 shows 5V 1.3A
ClockworkCoder
Chaotic Neutral
It is tape around them, apparently they were wobbling in the case slightly (the case is a hotchpotch of earlier versions), and @ED mentioned were added just to attempt too make them depress slightly more smoothly for testing.
Grench
Forum Addict!
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2008
- Messages
- 6,629
There is one on the Pandora as well. I had requested it back during the initial pre-production days of the Pandora. I use them.
[doublepost=1501602322,1501602107][/doublepost]
The only port I didn't test was the microHDMI. I simply don't have anything for that - yet. They all fit/seat fine. Should be no issues of interference from the case plastics.And thanks for trying different plugs to see if they interfere with the case, my mind is eased
The drive is from the old USB 1.1 spec. In theory that unit pulls 'up to' 500mA from each of the two USB ports.
I should have dug out my USB floppy drive to complete that set - doh!
levi
Still fresh, damnit!
Yes, I was told there was a mismatch between the test version of the keymat and the test case supplied, so ED added some electrical tape to stop the buttons wobbling and give a more representative test. Eventually the gluey stuff on that tape always goes gooyey and starts to slip - I'm slightly surprised it's happening so quickly. It didn't seem to be happening at all while the unit was in the north west of the UK, and I got to play with it, and I was only able to get the Y button to stick down temporarily.Why the buttons stick:
It appears that there is a coating - almost tape-like around the buttons. This is stiffer than the underlying material and has split/expanded to start to hang up the buttons. I was able to momentarily get all 4 to stick. The rest of the keys behaved fantastically.
But in any case, thanks very much for the comprehensive pictures. I didn't even think to try half of that stuff when I had my time with it (not that I had that many USB and SD parts on me at the time).
rygD
Nihilistic Mystic
I probably would have snagged a couple of those stickers for myself. I assume that is why they are in there?
@Grench, I think I will wait until you get your prototype and check the stylus slot again before I look for parts to modify or build another RHS. Additional length would be great (i just want it confirmed), but if there is any wiggle room I would want to make it thicker too.
@Grench, I think I will wait until you get your prototype and check the stylus slot again before I look for parts to modify or build another RHS. Additional length would be great (i just want it confirmed), but if there is any wiggle room I would want to make it thicker too.
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