#292870 - 20/03/2007 07:17
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: pca]
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new poster
Registered: 15/02/2002
Posts: 27
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Can i get it ? Then i dont need to wait for the 2nd batch (number 9 in list)...
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#292871 - 20/03/2007 10:49
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: maczrool]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 13/01/2002
Posts: 1649
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Some of you have not replied to my e-mails about this, so consider yourself bumped to the bottom. Sorry about this if you really did want one, but in the interest of fairness I had to do it.
Stu
1-Mach (2) 2-caseyse (2) 3-music (1) 4-JimHogan (1) 5-pgrzelak (2) 6-gbeer (1) 7-iank (1) 8-thirdeyevision (1?) 9-julf (1) 10-mtempsch (1) 11-andy (1) 12-matthew_k (1) 13-caseyse (1) 14-EtN (1) 15-juenk (1)
Edited by maczrool (21/03/2007 10:08)
_________________________
If you want it to break, buy Sony!
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#292872 - 21/03/2007 04:51
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: maczrool]
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stranger
Registered: 11/12/2000
Posts: 105
Loc: Seattle, WA USA
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I took my name off the list today, so that should move a couple of people up on the list.
Cheers!
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#292873 - 21/03/2007 19:39
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: MarkM]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 12/02/2002
Posts: 2298
Loc: Berkeley, California
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Quote: I took my name off the list today
Off, or just moved yourself to the bottom? If you want some you should definitly get some... I'd love to get more information about who exactly you work for. Visteon would be the obvious guess, but it doesn't seem likely, as they've moved on by now I suspect. Who else does secret car audio installations?
Perhaps we need a new category - I definitely want one, but I don't care when I get it. I'm buying one on the assumption that my next car won't have a DIN slot. However, I plan to get at least another 80k miles out of my current car before I go shopping for any new car.
Matthew
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#292874 - 22/03/2007 03:08
Re: We Have Lights! *DELETED*
[Re: matthew_k]
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stranger
Registered: 11/12/2000
Posts: 105
Loc: Seattle, WA USA
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#292876 - 22/03/2007 15:48
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: maczrool]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 13/01/2002
Posts: 1649
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Up to date list:
1-Mach (2) 2-caseyse (2) 3-music (1) 4-JimHogan (1) 5-pgrzelak (2) 6-gbeer (1) 7-thirdeyevision (1?) 8-julf (1) 9-mtempsch (1) 10-andy (1) 11-matthew_k (1) 12-caseyse (1) 13-LittleBlueThing (1) 14-EtN (1) 15-juenk (1) 16-iank (1)
Stu
Edited by maczrool (22/03/2007 20:39)
_________________________
If you want it to break, buy Sony!
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#292878 - 22/03/2007 18:33
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: maczrool]
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addict
Registered: 11/01/2002
Posts: 612
Loc: Reading, UK
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How did I miss this!! I'm very interested The OEM head unit in the new car controls the satnav somehow so this may be the only option. If I understand this right then if I just buy a board and cable then I can (somehow) get it made it up using stock parts in the future? If that's right then put me down for one and I'll pay as soon as anyone asks - sounds like a great insurance plan for a non-empeg compatible car in 10 years time If not then put me down anyway - I'm 90%+ sure I have a non-trivial empeg install coming up that this may be the answer to...
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LittleBlueThing
Running twin 30's
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#292879 - 22/03/2007 20:14
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: JBjorgen]
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stranger
Registered: 11/12/2000
Posts: 105
Loc: Seattle, WA USA
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It's just technology. At the time the empeg came out, the only thing that compared was a slow booting, power hogging laptop. Pass the jumper cables please...
The OS doesn't make a difference whether it's a set top box, TiVO, HD-DVD player, MP3 player, game console, etc. - it's just a consumer device and you purchase it for it's features.
Thanks
Mark
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#292880 - 22/03/2007 20:17
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: MarkM]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31597
Loc: Seattle, WA
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#292881 - 22/03/2007 20:38
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: LittleBlueThing]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 13/01/2002
Posts: 1649
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Quote: If I understand this right then if I just buy a board and cable then I can (somehow) get it made it up using stock parts in the future?
If that's right then put me down for one and I'll pay as soon as anyone asks - sounds like a great insurance plan for a non-empeg compatible car in 10 years time
You are correct. I've put you on the list.
Stu
_________________________
If you want it to break, buy Sony!
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#292882 - 23/03/2007 00:37
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: matthew_k]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 19/09/2002
Posts: 2494
Loc: East Coast, USA
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Bit of history: I just found this 2001 post* while looking for Hugo's mini remote VFD install in the Noble (image saved 5/22/03). What ever happened to that? I'd love to buy one of the current remote displays, but suction cup mounting it may be bulky. A little tiny VFD controled by a stalk would be so much..... cuter. I've read talk of installing the remote display in the dash, but isn't this supposed to be an alternative to that? In other words, isn't an external housing the only way to go? * I knew I saw that picture before...
Attachments
296511-altman\'sexternalVFD-1.jpg (807 downloads)
Edited by FireFox31 (23/03/2007 00:43)
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- FireFox31 110gig MKIIa (30+80), Eutronix lights, 32 meg stacked RAM, Filener orange gel lens, Greenlights Lit Buttons green set
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#292883 - 23/03/2007 01:02
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: FireFox31]
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stranger
Registered: 11/12/2000
Posts: 105
Loc: Seattle, WA USA
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That thread brings back memories.
I don't remember seeing Hugo's mini VFD install - that's cool.
The extender in this thread allows for the extension of the full display with controls via a ribbon cable. Once you get a housing around this package, it might be a little bulky for suction cup mounting.
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#292884 - 23/03/2007 08:46
Mini-displays
[Re: MarkM]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 15/08/2000
Posts: 4859
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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Greetings! I think you are thinking about this thread. As far as I know, this project is defunct. I have not heard anything about it for years. This project is one of the reasons I personally applaud Stu's request for payment in advance on the extenders, and feel sympathy for other hardware projects out there...
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Paul Grzelak 200GB with 48MB RAM, Illuminated Buttons and Digital Outputs
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#292885 - 23/03/2007 11:37
Re: Mini-displays
[Re: pgrzelak]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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Hugo almost gave the parts away to the mini-display project at his garden party last summer. I was quick to try and snatch them, but then Hugo thought it would be best if he kept them to himself. Although he no longer has the Noble, maybe it's something he would want to resume work on in the future?
I think the mini display is something I personally would be more interested in. I never use visuals on the empeg, so those wouldn't be missed. Finding somewhere to stick a mini display in a modern car is much easier to find than space for a display that is standard DIN width and height.
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-Rob Riccardelli 80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
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#292886 - 23/03/2007 12:33
Re: Mini-displays
[Re: robricc]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 13/01/2002
Posts: 1649
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Is there a mini VFD pin compatible with the Empeg's? It might be possible to make a new PCB with a smaller profile using the Empeg's original display design and a receiver from the extender design incorporated into it. That is if the rights to produce it could be obtained...
Stu
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If you want it to break, buy Sony!
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#292887 - 23/03/2007 17:28
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: matthew_k]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 13/02/2002
Posts: 3212
Loc: Portland, OR
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Quote: Perhaps we need a new category - I definitely want one, but I don't care when I get it. I'm buying one on the assumption that my next car won't have a DIN slot. However, I plan to get at least another 80k miles out of my current car before I go shopping for any new car.
I'm in the same boat. I want one for the future, but I only have 45K miles on my '02 vehicle, and I figure I should be able to get at least another 200K miles out of it before I need something new. Of course, at 18MPG, that's gas prices depending, of course.
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#292888 - 23/03/2007 21:45
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: JBjorgen]
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new poster
Registered: 04/02/2007
Posts: 21
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Quote: Fascinating. I always speculated Branson, but [MESSAGE REDACTED] definitely makes sense. I can also see why he would be a bit standoffish about letting people know what OS his car stereo runs
Yes, I'd be more open about these things, but it always starts a religious war.
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#292889 - 23/03/2007 23:42
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: Jehovah]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 12/01/2002
Posts: 2009
Loc: Brisbane, Australia
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Been out of the office for a while. This is very cool it's now available. However I have to say that $260 seems a bit exy for what it is (not what it does!). Where does the expense come in?
I only see the Maxim parts contributing any major expense if they are hard to get. Most of the other bits are fairly easy to get parts aren't they from a quick scan of the parts list.
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Christian #40104192 120Gb (no longer in my E36 M3, won't fit the E46 M3)
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#292890 - 23/03/2007 23:53
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: Shonky]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 06/10/1999
Posts: 2591
Loc: Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
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Quote: Been out of the office for a while. This is very cool it's now available. However I have to say that $260 seems a bit exy for what it is (not what it does!). Where does the expense come in?
I only see the Maxim parts contributing any major expense if they are hard to get. Most of the other bits are fairly easy to get parts aren't they from a quick scan of the parts list.
I was thrilled to send Stuart my $260. It is just unbelievable to me that folks like Stuart and Mark have jumped into the gap to provide this uber-cool extension to our Empegs. If I had more scratch, I'd buy two. But I don't know much about electronics or component costs so I suspect you are asking out of academic interest. Certainly, if I *were* an electronics guru and the price seemed a tad high, I would wander off and build my own.
But I'm not some Patrick, just a normal Empeg guy. And I'm happy. I mean, really, it looks like the only other Empeg fan who has this is *God*.
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Jim
'Tis the exceptional fellow who lies awake at night thinking of his successes.
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#292891 - 24/03/2007 00:01
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: jimhogan]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 12/01/2002
Posts: 2009
Loc: Brisbane, Australia
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Quote:
Quote: Been out of the office for a while. This is very cool it's now available. However I have to say that $260 seems a bit exy for what it is (not what it does!). Where does the expense come in?
I only see the Maxim parts contributing any major expense if they are hard to get. Most of the other bits are fairly easy to get parts aren't they from a quick scan of the parts list.
I was thrilled to send Stuart my $260. It is just unbelievable to me that folks like Stuart and Mark have jumped into the gap to provide this uber-cool extension to our Empegs. If I had more scratch, I'd buy two. But I don't know much about electronics or component costs so I suspect you are asking out of academic interest. Certainly, if I *were* an electronics guru and the price seemed a tad high, I would wander off and build my own.
But I'm not some Patrick, just a normal Empeg guy. And I'm happy. I mean, really, it looks like the only other Empeg fan who has this is *God*.
I do intend to get one of my own done. As an EE it's a fairly simple design really. Like I said, it just seems expensive - I realise there is a manufacturing component in there of at least an hour I'd guess.
I started looking at doing my own for my M3 but ended up just replacing the factory stereo completely since I didn't have tons of time and I couldn't get all the info I needed like which pins where bidirectional etc.
That said I applaud the guys for getting units out for everyday Joe to have.
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Christian #40104192 120Gb (no longer in my E36 M3, won't fit the E46 M3)
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#292892 - 24/03/2007 00:12
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: Shonky]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14493
Loc: Canada
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Quote: Where does the expense come in?
Tiny quantities. High-tech is normally cheap, but only when mass-produced.
EDIT: Mmm.. actually, Shonky has a point. I'm betting that the PCBs are probably quite pricey in quantity 10 though. And we know the ribbon cable is likely about $1.50 a foot or so. And each kit has *two* PCBs.. Mmm...
-ml
Edited by mlord (24/03/2007 00:15)
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#292893 - 24/03/2007 00:29
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: Shonky]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 06/10/1999
Posts: 2591
Loc: Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
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Quote: I do intend to get one of my own done. As an EE it's a fairly simple design really. Like I said, it just seems expensive - I realise there is a manufacturing component in there of at least an hour I'd guess.
Excellent (I think). If when you get your kit done you want to offer one for less than $260, I will be the first in line... assuming all the lights blink, of course
In the meantime, if Stuart is able to squeeze 1, 2, or 3 Prime Rib dinners out of my modest Paypal payment, all I can say is that I hope the Prime Rib wasn't overcooked. I mean, of what use is Prime Rib if not rare?
Quote: I started looking at doing my own for my M3 but ended up just replacing the factory stereo completely since I didn't have tons of time and I couldn't get all the info I needed like which pins where bidirectional etc.
Well, I am pleased to report that I know what "bidirectional" means. In an abstract sense anyway.
Quote: That said I applaud the guys for getting units out for everyday Joe to have.
"everyday Joe". Hmmm, if my name were Joe I might be inclined to go off and sulk. Like I say, though, I am no EE electronics guru. On the other hand, if things ever go really *really* bad...and the fucking intern can't get the arterial line in, give me a call.
A-lines? Just like riding a bicycle.
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Jim
'Tis the exceptional fellow who lies awake at night thinking of his successes.
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#292894 - 24/03/2007 00:55
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: maczrool]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 13/01/2002
Posts: 1649
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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The first batch is all spoken for now. Here is the list for the second batch.
1-thirdeyevision (2) 2-julf (1) 3-mtempsch (1) 4-andy (1) 5-matthew_k (1) 5-caseyse (1) 6-LittleBlueThing (1) 7-EtN (1) 8-juenk (1) 9-thirdeyevision's friend (1)
Stu
Edited by maczrool (24/03/2007 17:48)
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If you want it to break, buy Sony!
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#292895 - 24/03/2007 01:16
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: Shonky]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 13/01/2002
Posts: 1649
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Quote: Where does the expense come in?
I only see the Maxim parts contributing any major expense if they are hard to get. Most of the other bits are fairly easy to get parts aren't they from a quick scan of the parts list.
You know, I was thinking the same thing the other day. For what they are, they sure are expensive! But first let me say that easy to get does not necessarily mean cheap. The transceivers are not cheap parts even if they are easy to get. The connectors are also unbelievably expensive. And yes the PCBs are the most expensive component due to the low volume. Are there cheaper sources for the parts? Possibly, but rather than try to squeeze out every last dime from the list, I went for readily available and easy to find to get this project underway as quickly as possible.
I am admittedly charging some for my time to assemble these, but it like all the other elements that make up this are worth something. Do I let the clock run for every minute I spend on these? No. I've posted the parts list with supplier part numbers, so it's up to you to decide if it's worth what the asking price is. Since profit is not the object here, you are more than welcome to purchase the PCBs at cost and source everything yourself. If you can make them for less than $260, please do! I may join Jim and buy one from you.
The Empeg stuff is becoming a smaller and smaller portion of what we do here, so really that I found the time at all is fairly remarkable.
Stu
Edited by maczrool (24/03/2007 01:35)
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If you want it to break, buy Sony!
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#292896 - 24/03/2007 01:27
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: maczrool]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14493
Loc: Canada
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Quote: I am admittedly charging some for my time to assemble these
What? Gasp!
Oh, wait a minute.. I do that, too. Mmm..
Cheers!
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#292897 - 24/03/2007 02:23
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: mlord]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 12/01/2002
Posts: 2009
Loc: Brisbane, Australia
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Quote:
Quote: I am admittedly charging some for my time to assemble these
What? Gasp!
Oh, wait a minute.. I do that, too. Mmm..
Cheers!
And so you should. I wasn't intending to mass manufacture. I knew my first post might start something like this. As much as anything it was an enquiry as to what bits made it expensive since nothing on the board looked super expensive. I'll go back in my hole now.
I'm just fighting to get something useful out of this silly Ranger PCB/schematic program that I can use i.e. probably gerbers since Ranger seems unknown to every CAD/PCB package I have.
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Christian #40104192 120Gb (no longer in my E36 M3, won't fit the E46 M3)
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#292899 - 24/03/2007 10:54
Re: We Have Lights!
[Re: maczrool]
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veteran
Registered: 01/10/2001
Posts: 1307
Loc: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Quote: The first batch is all spoken for now. Here is the list for the second batch.
2-julf (1)
Are you sending payment instructions, or have I possibly missed the info? No chance of getting 2 more of the first batch people to change their mind?
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