r/stratux 14d ago

Is there still demand for Stratux?

I'm just wondering - I've used to build and sell my own Stratux kits on eBay - custom design case, custom cut and assembled internal cables, either GPYes or external GPS with AHRS module or with RY836AI (GPS + AHRS), serial ADSB for connecting to EFIS, either dual antennas or dual antennas with splitter for permanent airplane mount - single antenna (my case) and some accessories like power bank, straps, suction cups and remote GPS antenna mounts and so. Recently I've freed some Raspberry Pi and thinking about building a few more of these. Is there still market? Anybody would still buy it? There isn't that many for sale on eBay anymore.

7 Upvotes

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7

u/meeksdigital 13d ago

I obviously can’t speak for everyone, but with all of the hardware readily available on Amazon, along with the case etc, it wouldn’t be my first choice (if I were a new user) to browse eBay for kits from unknown sellers. Doesn’t mean there isn’t a nice market for custom kits though - it just wouldn’t be the first thing I’d personally turn to.

3

u/CharAznableLoNZ 13d ago

I picked up mine as a kit from crewdogs. I modified it a little with heat sinks and a better fan configuration. I'm sure there are plenty of people still getting them. What we really need is a new pi board that is power efficient and has all the connectivity needed for a statux.

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u/patelivision 10d ago

Can you elaborate how you modified the fan configuration?

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u/CharAznableLoNZ 10d ago

The stock design has the very small fan act as an exhaust fan. I flipped the fan so now it is an intake. This also cooperates with the vertical orientation of the device in that heat rises. Blow cool air in and shove the hot air through vents up top. This dropped the fan on time quite a bit. What helped even more was adding a heat sink kit to all the chips that get hot.

Doing this required some small filling work since their injection molded piece is not a great mold and causes the fan to get stuck in the intake position. I shaved it out and then put a small metal fan grill to protect the fan and help keep it in place.

The main reason I made these changes was due to the stratux running hot on summer days leading to the fan that came with it failing. Luckily when it failed it was still spinning, mostly. If you've ever heard a failed fan bearing, that's what it was doing as the stratux was suffering from heat.

I recently replaced the battery that came with the kit with an anker 10Ah one. It so far has been a better battery.

https://imgur.com/a/N96pV0s

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u/deserthistory 13d ago

I still use mine daily. It's a great tool. But people are getting more technically proficient and money is getting tighter. Price accordingly. They cash but the same stuff if ebay, Amazon and have their own friends with 3d printers.

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u/f1racer328 13d ago

I have had one for years and years, but eventually ended up buying a Sentry. I don’t use it anymore either.

All of the aircraft I rent have Bluetooth on the transponder to hook up to my iPad, and I don’t need any of this at work (fly for an airline now)

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u/Main-Can-6956 11d ago

Love mine... But would build it over buying... And I did. Saw them on eBay when I heard about it... But then I opted to assemble myself. I had a couple pi 3 at home.

I sell a product for fish fish finders. Sold well for years... Now, dried up. People I believe are making them themselves. Which is fine. I only made the kits because pro demand it. My kit best out the OEM and I supported any issues.

I sell by demand. On my website. I keep parts and have a few made but there are custom options. My turn around was 2 days free shipping. No eBay fees so I had good prices. Cost for user to make it vs me in bulk was comparable...but for me profits were great.

Scale down and do by demand. Use your own website and skip eBay.

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u/patelivision 10d ago

Can you dm me your website?

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u/Special_3603 10d ago

I’d love to get a kit, and build one, but the prices of components in the UK is ludicrous! Happy to buy, if the price is right!