1.3 MP camera, $11 (requires a little work)

CTho9305 · Dec 21, 2003

I picked up the camera yesterday.... time to get a USB cable and give it a try

Sonarcade · Dec 22, 2003

ok guys, I found a palm III/VII belkin connector at my 99 cent only store but it doesn't exactly follow the same pin setup as the one shown on http://www.cexx.org/dakota/palmlink/index.html nor does it have a pcb like that shown in the pictures there. The "yellow" wire on the palm side as shown on the diagram which was originally connected to pin 5 had its part severed by the hilt of the cord which was then connected to pin 9. So I have a wire connected to both pins 5 and 9, and for some reason I feel that I have it all wrong. I know that there is definitely something wrong because Windows gives me a "USB device has malfunctioned" message whenever I connect it, although I get a PC message on the camera's LCD. Thanks.

Silex · Dec 22, 2003

Eh message on the LCD? Don't tell us you got a hold of the new one?!

Karsten · Dec 22, 2003

Posted some pictures at PCPC.NET

Devistater · Dec 22, 2003

I saw this on slashdot a while back. Sounds neat, I'll have to keep it in mind if I ever need a cheap one.

Sonarcade · Dec 22, 2003

I was wondering how to go about repairing a camera whose ready light doesn't come on anymore. I don't know if this is a common occurrence but I'd appreciate any help on this. It occasionally takes pictures but very rarely and the flash doesn't even work. I'll have to buy another one.

I successfully hacked the cable by the way but I'm dividing up all the colored wires inside with scotch tape, which makes it work at points when moved in one way and not when moved in another. By the way, I meant LED not LCD. Sorry for the confusion. I might actually consider getting a preview panel ver of the camera.

LoverBoyJ · Dec 22, 2003

Originally posted by: TechZen
Ok I have what may be a stupid question but I am going to ask anyways...

On http://www.cexx.org/dakota/ it shows the pinouts as:

Pin 10: Ground (Black)
Pin 9: Data - (White)
Pin 8: Data + (Green)
Pin 6: +5V (Red)

My question is... Does it matter if Pins 9 and 8 are switched? Being that they are Data + and - I was not sure.
The reason I ask is I picked up a Belkin Visor USB to Automobile charger at the 99cent store. The part that goes into the cig lighter has a female USB that I desoldered, removed and was going to solder onto the camera (I figured this would be the easiest way to connect the camera on the fly). The pins on the Female USB would line up for the Pins 10, 9 and 8. I would just have to make a jumper for Pin 6. But when I cut open a USB cable mine were colored Black,Green,White and Red. Not Black, White,Green and Red. I figured this would not matter but just wanted to make sure before I solder it all together. I did some searches but could not find any info. TIA. Any info is appreciated.

No, it has to follow otherwise your data won't be read by your PC. Let me put it this way, try switching the + / - of your cars battery and check if it turns on.
Have Fun!!

:beer:

agent2099 · Dec 22, 2003

Did anyone who already has a digital camera get this? Or is anyone with a digital camera thinking about getting this?

I already have a really nice digital camera, and I'm thinking about getting this but I can't come up with a good enough reason to spend the $15.

drx9175l · Dec 22, 2003

I bought two, one to give to my 10 year old for Christmas and the other as a spare. I found the HotSync and USB cables at CompGeeks. Fairly easy hack and the software works fine in both WinXP and Win98SE.

AbsolutDealage · Dec 22, 2003

Originally posted by: agent2099
Did anyone who already has a digital camera get this? Or is anyone with a digital camera thinking about getting this?

I already have a really nice digital camera, and I'm thinking about getting this but I can't come up with a good enough reason to spend the $15.

I have a nice digital, but I got this one to keep in my car. I figure it will be good if I ever see/get into an accident... or if I see something really interesting during my travels. It's worth the $12 if you have the time to hack the cable together.

agent2099 · Dec 22, 2003

I wonder how this compares to these $20 credit card sized digital cameras.. It seems like the latter would be much more useful and worth the extra $10.

jackywebdesign · Dec 22, 2003

Originally posted by: Sonarcade
I was wondering how to go about repairing a camera whose ready light doesn't come on anymore. I don't know if this is a common occurrence but I'd appreciate any help on this. It occasionally takes pictures but very rarely and the flash doesn't even work. I'll have to buy another one. I successfully hacked the cable by the way but I'm dividing up all the colored wires inside with scotch tape, which makes it work at points when moved in one way and not when moved in another. By the way, I meant LED not LCD. Sorry for the confusion. I might actually consider getting a preview panel ver of the camera.

Same thing happened to me.... wow, thought I just got a weird camera. It also tells me the batteries are out after a minute or so when I KNOW that they're new, and I know that it'll let me take pictures if it's bright enough to not need the flash... Think I might have to go exchange it.... Now... if anyone is interested in helping me find a cheapo palm cable.......

Sonarcade · Dec 22, 2003

YES! At one point I managed to get a ready light AND the flash worked AND the camera stayed for more than 30 seconds while idle. I don't know what made this sudden change but it doesn't work anymore asides from responding to the cable now. I don't know if you'd be able to exchange or refund the camera if you've already modded it.(hhmmmm....where's the sticker and why's this part melted off?) So I'm just going to take it as a casualty unless I find out how to repair it.

gypsymoth · Dec 22, 2003

Originally posted by: Sonarcade
I know this is a long shot, but is there a way to add zoom features and another flash memory compartment? I guess with the money that would be involved in such a task, one would wonder why not just get a full-fledged digicam. But I dunno.

You can always perform digital zoom in your photo manipulation software -> crop then resize.

Chieh

jackywebdesign · Dec 22, 2003

BTW, does anyone else find it even slightly interesting that there's a SLIGHT notch about the size of a USB mini B connector on the left side of the camera? (the side of the lense, not the side of the palm connector) and that there's also a "solder space" left on the PCB where the slight notch is labeled JP1 (JP is usually the PCB term for connector).... Hmmmmm... wonder if someone can figure out how to get this camera working w/o the palm cable....

Re: my prev. post and its response: yes, my camera did work once upon a time also, but all of a sudden it decided to have the symptoms that you also seem to be having... maybe we got seconds or the flash cap charger went bad?

P.S.: I'm still trying to find a cheapo palm cable, unless my suspicions of a USB mini B connector is true, of course...

EDIT: Hmm.... Weird... I went and took apart the camera, and when I put it all back together.... SURPRISE! the elusive ready light that hadn't lit up for the past 2 weeks was suddenly lit again, and I can take pictures with flash again... Must be something I did..

Here's what I remember I did: (DISCLAIMER!!! If you decide to take apart your camera, be aware that there's a 330 Volts photo flash capacitor in there that can give you a NASTY shock, just be careful is all I'm gonna say.) take apart camera, removing all the screws in the process; discharge flash capacitor using a wide screwdriver w/ insulated handle to short the 2 leads; disconnect flash/light detector unit from main PCB; generally inspecting and messing around with the main PCB, lense, and the back LCD; reassemble; reinsert batteries; power on and wait 10 seconds before the camera shuts off saying low batteries; re-power on and wait 5 seconds; ready light turns on.

,:camera:,:beer: (in that order

)

drx9175l · Dec 23, 2003

Originally posted by: jackywebdesign
Now... if anyone is interested in helping me find a cheapo palm cable.......

I posted a link earlier. Was the $1.95 at CompGeeks too much, or is the shipping fee killing the deal? I'm just getting ready to order a bunch more, enough to make 4 completed cables. I gave away the one camera I was thinking of keeping for myself. Everyone I showed mine to now wants one.

As for the possibility of having to return a defective camera, I'm not worried at all. The camera is untouched, only the cable is hacked. Plus, I have saved the "do not remove" sticker and kept my receipt.

*EDIT* I just noticed that hacked cables alone are selling for almost $20 with shipping on eBay. Right now there's just one guy selling them and he's got the market cornered. Crazy.

jackywebdesign · Dec 23, 2003

It was the shipping, since I had no one else to "share" the cost with. Also, the lack of a CC kinda doesn't help... was hoping for someone to help me find one @ a dollar store or something if they were going to get 1 anyways, and I'd send them a MO for $5 or something.... I guess I might have to get the more expensive 1 @ the rat shack then, maybe..

Karsten · Dec 23, 2003

The only issue I have come across so far is that the Download Software messes with XP shutdown. With other words, after installing the Software Xp shutdown would hang indefinitely at the "Now shutting Down" window.

bman46 · Dec 23, 2003

all i can say, Is you people are sick

- But im impressed!

jackywebdesign · Dec 24, 2003

bump so those last minute shoppers out there are aware of a cheapo gift that somehow shows creativity.

Rab · Dec 24, 2003

The only issue I have come across so far is that the Download Software messes with XP shutdown. With other words, after installing the Software Xp shutdown would hang indefinitely at the "Now shutting Down" window.

Version 0.3 is supposed to resolve those issues, I'd try updating the software.

Karsten · Dec 24, 2003

Thanks for the hint, but I never used anything else then v0.3. Same problem with a co-workers comp.

Delbert · Dec 24, 2003

Built my cable this morning. Got a couple cameras to give the kids tomorrow. Just tested my cable. Pics look better than I expected. However I do have the XP shutdown issue now also(ver 0.3). All computers in my house are now XP only or I?d just setup and make them use a 98 machine.

Sonarcade · Dec 25, 2003

I get the same problem as well on my Athlon tbird but not on my Centrino laptop. The following is taken from http://www.cexx.org/dakota/sucr.htm

This problem has been reported by some Windows XP users, but no fix is currently available. If this happens on your system, please fill out a bug report for the libusb-win32 developers. The best solution at this time would be to remove the libusb-win32 drivers (see the 'Uninstalling' section of the Single-Use Camera Reader readme.txt) and try on a different machine or wait for a newer release.

I'm trying to remember what I did on the tbird that I didn't do for my laptop....hmm...

DefDC · Jan 12, 2004

I talked to the guys at Ritz and they said that there is a LCD screen camera on its way for 19.99, but, it's indefinately backordered. Manufacturing problems..

But, I had them put in an order for one, so they'll let me know when it's in.

[Edit: Old news... My apologies. I hadn't read the link in few days, and just got back from Ritz. I was a little excited]

1.3 MP camera, $11 (requires a little work)

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