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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Pico Computer 3 in the US
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| llovhaug Newbie  Joined: 07/07/2026 Location: United StatesPosts: 2 |
Greetings... I have been reading this forum anonymously for a couple of years and have been so very impressed with MMBASIC. Geoff and Peter and everyone else involved in testing and refining this product are to be congratulated. I was wondering if anyone is selling or putting together a group order of the Pico Computer 3 in the US? It looks like a great device and I would definitely like a couple of them. |
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NPHighview Senior Member  Joined: 02/09/2020 Location: United StatesPosts: 222 |
I would happily sign on for two, at least. One for me, one for a neighborhood kid who is just getting into computer stuff. Too early for my grandson, who is just 17 months old at this point (who knows what Peter and Geoff will come up with before he's ready to start!). Live in the Future. It's Just Starting Now! |
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| toml_12953 Guru  Joined: 13/02/2015 Location: United StatesPosts: 678 |
You're in luck! I bought five of them. PM me your address and I'll send you a couple for the cost of shipping. They have the two three-pin headers installed but no WiFi chips. I tried to solder one of the WiFi chips onto one of my boards and messed it up totally. I'm just no good at SMD. |
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Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 8935 |
The main thing with SMD is don't let it scare you. Beat it into submission. :) You need good magnification and a *very* good light. I got a cheap Chinese illuminated magnifier a while ago and it's worth every penny. I have a small mono microscope yjat I tend to use for inspection. I can solder under it but it's not that easy and I can't afford a binocular microscope. The lens is fine in most cases. Don't start too small, get a couple of the SMD practice kits from your favourite Chinese bits seller and make sure you can complete them before tackling anything costly. Practice, practice, practice. Get proper gel flux and solder paste in syringes. You use tiny amounts so it lasts for ages. Keep it in the fridge when you aren't using it and allow the splder paste (at least) to warm up before you use it otherwise you'll have a job getting it out of the syringe. Use a temperature controlled iron (preferably a T12 type) with a pointy bit. The curved pointy one is the best, I've found. You can solder in odd positions with that or "drag" solder over a row of pins. I've started laying out more boards using size 1206 components. They are (for me) a good compromise. I can go down to 0805 reasonably well, but 1206 is pretty easy. I can still melt 0805 LEDs too easily, :( Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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mclout999 Guru Joined: 05/07/2020 Location: United StatesPosts: 510 |
I really would like one as well. I'm here in. The Chicago area. I'm OK with SMID. Soldering. If it's not too small of a Gage. Any sys uh, systems left? Thanks either way. EDIt I will DM you just in case. Edited 2026-07-09 03:40 by mclout999 They call me Shai-Hulud (The maker) |
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| llovhaug Newbie Joined: 07/07/2026 Location: United StatesPosts: 2 |
I really want to run the HDMIWEB version, but unfortunately during my six decades on this planet I have never soldered anything in my life, so adding the WiFi module is outside of my skillset. If there is someone out there who is confident in their skills, I would be willing to pay for their board in exchange for soldering the WiFi module on two boards for me. |
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9984 |
Completely agree with everything Mick said about SMD. I used to be so scared of SMD, I would not even do 8-pin SOIC op-amp chips, and they have a 1.27mm pin-pitch, which is pretty huge by SMD IC standards.  Now I regularly solder SSOP @ 0.5mm pin-pitch, and very rarely have any issues at all. It becomes second-nature, with practice, as Mick says. 1206 is still my "Standard" size for SMD passives, but I have had to use 0805 on some really small PCB's, where space requires the smaller parts. These are easy to hand-solder too, but you really need a good magnifying glass or microscope as Mick also suggests - and good lighting.  About the only thing I don't do by hand, is anything QFN or passives smaller then 0605. The tiny stuff really does require factory assembly. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| ebbandflow Regular Member  Joined: 31/08/2023 Location: United StatesPosts: 51 |
I'd be interested in one or two if an order is made... |
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