Am 09.04.2013 08:21, schrieb Mark Webb-Johnson:
What do people think? Is this something people would want? A way to grow the community? Or, is there a better way of doing it?
That's a definitive YES from the Twizy community and from me. Within the german Twizy forum, another CAN device called "Twizplay" has been developed as a community project. That wouldn't have been started if the OVMS had display support. See here for details: http://www.twizplay.de/ It doesn't have any communication features, just CAN port, three buttons + very simple monochrome display -- yet most people interested in getting some more info from the Twizy favor the Twizplay over the OVMS. I've got one myself and have to admit it's sexy to have an instant power monitor etc., that helps in driving efficiently more than the OVMS currently can. The Twizplay team recently talked about starting developing of a new version to bring in communication features, especially Bluetooth and GSM/GPRS, maybe also WLAN. A guy from a company manufacturing professional CAN bus TFT display devices also got a pretty Twizy configuration to work: http://www.vectrix-forum.de/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=72&func=view&... This device was once aimed at around 250 EUR for forum members (limited to one each), but I think it will cost more. It's based on this device: http://graf-syteco.de/html/argos_d1000.html ...so also does not support any GSM connectivity. Btw: one forum member suggested a display like this could also be used as a display for external devices like reverse and logging cameras, so you only need one monitor. The D1000 does not support this, and I think it's not possible without some hardware video digitizer, but I also think that's a cool idea. So: most users really need a display first. Many don't even understand what the current OVMS does better. An OVMS with a display would be the perfect combination. 200 US$ would be the limit I think. That should translate to around 300-350 EUR with all components, delivery and customs. The Twizplay currently costs ~200 EUR with all components needed. Of course, that CPU setup (dual processor, how cool is that...) will also allow much more functionality. My preference is also low-power CPUs, I fear this setup will need much power anyway... Regards, Michael -- Michael Balzer * Paradestr. 8 * D-42107 Wuppertal Fon 0202 / 272 2201 * Handy 0176 / 206 989 26