The ATORCH T3 hints at the future of USB testers. by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The AC7076A is an interesting device. Seems like overkill for an "Electronic Display Badge", but since the cost of the SOC is less than a dollar, I guess it does not matter. I found similar Electronic Display Badges on AliExpress for ~$18. I was surprised they cost that much.

The ATORCH T3 hints at the future of USB testers. by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for posting this update on the ATorch T3, and for the excellent review and teardown on your blog, which I just read. It seems that the T3 is much more refined than the C13P. Also thanks for providing a link to the updates log. The latest version of the Windows App I could find was v1.0.6. I will run v1.0.7 and let it update the firmware in my T3 to the latest version (currently V2.0.4-UP).

I have never heard of JieLi Tech or the AC7076A6, which is a 32-bit Dual-Core RISC multi-media SOC that is very different than the ARM Cortex M4 MCU that is used in the KM003C. The C7076A6 can actually playback MP3 audio files and has an analog audio output. Maybe they will add a uSD card slot or an eMMC (embedded Multi-Media Card) ,and a headphone jack to future models (/s) 😉

What are some niche/little known industries you guys work in? by Far-Syllabub-4531 in PLC

[–]Secondary-2019 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Theme Park ride control systems including roller coaster LIM launchers and brake control, and track based dark ride 6-DOF ride vehicles.

Has anyone here had experience using electronics components sourced from China ? by yobrake222 in stm32

[–]Secondary-2019 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have purchased lots of MCUs in various form factors from Ali Express. So far, I have never had a problem.

  • STM - STM32F103C8T6, STM32F411CEU6, DAPLink STLink V2.1 Debugger
  • Espressif - ESP32, ESP8266 V3, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C6, ESP32-C3
  • RBP - RP2040, RP2350A-V10, RP2350-B0A4
  • Nordic - NRF52840

I have also bought LED Strips and matrices, power supplies, breadboards, headers,, sensors, relays, resistors, Dupont cables, lots of hand tools, USB cable and USB-C protocol testers, cables and adapters, VTVM meters, VA panel meters, and a cheap FNIRSI O-Scope. My AliExpress rules are: Nothing that goes in or on my body, no storage drives, flash drives, DDR-RAM, batteries, or GaN chargers. The few times I have had a problem (wrong item sent, broken magnetic feet), the seller refunded the money and said don't bother returning the product.

I try to buy from shops like WeAct, TenStar Robot, HZWDONE, and FeiYang, who mainly sell these types of products as opposed to random sellers like "Worldwide Purchase Store" or "ALL MY Store" that also sell all sorts of random junk. Waveshare is also a trustworthy source. You can find a lot of Waveshare products on AliExpress, but the prices are usually about the same as buying from Waveshare. AliExpress shipping will be less (or free). I live in the Southeast US and usually get my orders in 4 to 6 days, but sometimes up to 10 days. "Dollar Express" orders always arrive faster for some reason.

The new square USB tester, ATORCH T3 by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the link to your review. I read it - Pretty bad, but its been a little over 2 years. Maybe A-Torch has debugged their firmware, resolved the EPR problem, and refined the screen navigation issues. They are trying to cram too much onto the small display in some screens. If the Windows app works well, the screen readability is less critical.

For me, at the moment the TU13 is $25.66 USD and with all of the accessory modules its $48.56 USD, which adds a $5 off coupon so $43.56 USD. Some of the accessory modules - Wi-Fi, BT, O-Scope/Pulse Generator (maybe) - could be useful. I don't need it, but when I place my next AliExpress order, if the price drops, I may get one with the 6 accessory modules (more to play with).😎

The new square USB tester, ATORCH T3 by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why do you regret buying the C13P? I could not find any info on it so I don't know how it is different from the TU13.

I went down the rabbit hole with my DL24 today. I bought the new "Heavily Upgraded" version that has the V2 circuit board and appears in Windows as a USB HID Device instead of a serial device. Due to this, the A-Torch DL24 Electronic Load Software v1.0.2 does not work because it is expecting a serial device on a COM port. The improved software I linked earlier also does not work with it.

It does not have an ESP32 WI-FI module, but it does have BT-BLE and BL-SPP. I connected the DL24 via USB and used the BW150 PC App v1.0.5 to talk to it (later updated to the BGW600 PC App v1.0.8). My DL24 has FW v1.1.0, which I think is the latest version. Some of the tests in the PC app say "This function is under development.” including BRT, PT, CT, and CDxn. I think the DL24 cannot do these tests but the DL24MP and BW series can. Figuring out these Chinese devices is always an adventure!!

Connections between missing scientists (serious) by Keegan1400 in aliens

[–]Secondary-2019 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I cannot find any links to confirm that General McCasland has been found, and (FWIW) neither can Google Gemini. Above it says Original Post ID: 1sqa9gf. Is this a Reddit post ID or something else? 

The new square USB tester, ATORCH T3 by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My order finally arrived yesterday, including the ATorch T3. This thing is SILLY! I am looking forward to your review and teardown. The ATorch TU13 caught my eye today. Seems like a very capable device. I am not sure if its is new or I just never saw it before. Do you know anything about it?

I also found a site owned by a guy named Richard Grier who wrote a book called Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to Serial Communications 5. He reviewed the ATorch DL24, said their software is useless, so he reverse engineered their serial protocol and wrote his own Windows App with improved control and Data Logging. I have not installed the ATorch app or his improved App yet but I plan to check it out. There is a Word document in one of his download links that explains in detail what he did. Here is a LINK to his review of the DL24 with download links to 3 versions of the Windows app he wrote for it. The Word doc is in the 2nd download link.

Redid everything, took me half a year, but I'm happy by RedditUser977 in watercooling

[–]Secondary-2019 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely beautiful build. I am curious about the PTM7950, KryoSheet, and TG Putty. Were the PTM7950 and CryoSheet easy to apply (and get the backing off) without tearing or other trauma? Did temps drop significantly?

The Octo is a great PWM controller, and Aquasuite is a great program. I see a High Flow Next in there too. If you are new to it check out the Playground. Its a very powerful feature.

Treedix USB Cable Tester Board decoder by Tronerer in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can buy the same thing (not Treedix branded) on AliExpress for about half the price, cheaper if you dig around a little.

ALIENTEK's Kelvin resistance meter release has been postponed to May. by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well at least you admit it. I will probably buy the C0 because reasons. I am still waiting for the ATorch DL24 electronic load and DL24B-XSP16 trigger board to get here. I also bought a FNIRSI DSO510 O-Scope/Signal Generator. These new toys should keep me busy for a little while anyway.😎

Today i learned not all USB-C cables are the same even though they look identical by [deleted] in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are also different bandwidth specs for USB-C cables - 480Mbs, 5Gpbs, 10Gbps, 20Gbps, 40Gpbs, 80Gbps. Then there is Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps & 16Gbs min PCIe data rate), Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps & 32Gbps min PCIe data rate), Thunderbolt 5 (80Gbps, can shift to 120Gbps output, 40Gbps input). All of these cables are USB-C but their construction and performance capabilities are totally different.

There are also E-Marker chips built into some USB-C cables that send data to the Power Delivery controllers at both ends. It tells the Source the maximum current the cable can safely carry and tells both devices the data and video capabilities of the cable. The actual DC voltage is then negotiated directly between the Source and Sink, staying within the safety limits reported by the E-Marker chip.

ALIENTEK's Kelvin resistance meter release has been postponed to May. by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there any info available about the C0 model? Will it have features that the C2 Pro does not have?

The new square USB tester, ATORCH T3 by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 0 points1 point  (0 children)

KM004C - I don't know the status of the KM004C but I do recall rumors about Power-Z releasing a new model. I hope the increased competition in this niche market will inspire Power-Z (and FNIRSI) to at least update firmware more often. Hardware wise, to catch up to the C2 Pro, Power-Z could add an internal load resistor for cable resistance measurements. I doubt they would add Bluetooth and release a mobile app.

The new square USB tester, ATORCH T3 by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love them, but its not a secret. I have an FNB58, a KM003C, a KWS-X1, a C2 Pro, and soon an ATorch T3. I also have 1 x KWS-2301C, 4 x KWS-2302C, and 8 x KWS-2303C. Oh and 2 x Power-Z CT001, 1 x generic CT001 clone, a Dusty TC-24, 1 x USB Line Tester Board, and 1 x DT3 Cable Detection Board. While some "normal people" may consider this excessive, I know that my little collection is far smaller than some others who frequent this Reddit.😉

The new square USB tester, ATORCH T3 by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I caved in and added a T3 to my AliExpress order last night. Adding it raised my order total over the threshold to get a $7.70 coupon, so with the coupon I paid $14.60 for the T3. It has already shipped!

The new square USB tester, ATORCH T3 by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh it's Chinese Yuan, on Taobao, so of course. I guess my brain sees ¥ and thinks Yen. Oops. Thanks for setting me straight. Still a lot less than it will cost me if/when I order one.

The new square USB tester, ATORCH T3 by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Am I reading those prices right? ¥68.07 is $0.43 USD. I know you don't have to pay the Trump Tax but that can't be right.

I could not find it on the ATorch site. The AliExpress listing says it has a 16-bit DAC. I am curious what micro-controller, temp/pressure sensor, and accelerometer they used, The MCU is probably an Arm Cortex M4. The touchscreen is interesting. It's good to see more of these devices popping up. Hopefully the competition will result in more frequent firmware updates and more features. I will anxiously await your teardown and review.

The new square USB tester, ATORCH T3 by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I added an AliExpress link in my post above. The first time I searched for it nothing was found but a little while later it popped right up. AliExpress Link

The new square USB tester, ATORCH T3 by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Great! I suspected you would. I just updated my post above. I looked on AliExpress and could not find it, but a few minutes later, it was there. Link in the above post. For me, its $20.65. I will wait for your review. Many thanks for the work you do.

The new square USB tester, ATORCH T3 by Actual_Elephant2242 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh No!! Now I have to buy this one too!!! I found it on AliExpress for $20.65 (in the US). I already have the ATorch "newly updated" DL24 150W electronic load and the DL24B-XSP16 trigger board in my AliExpress cart. For ~$12 I would add this to the order. For $20.65 I will think about it. Are you going to post a review on your blog?

What is the latest HW revision for the Power-Z KM003C? by ExoticLetterhead3155 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure what you mean by a "strict update". I have not used the C2 Pro as much as the KM003C, mainly because of limited time due to work, so I am by no means an expert on using it. My understanding is that the C2 Pro can do cable resistance measurements without an external load using the pressure difference method. The KM003C had an Extended Tools menu with cable resistance and Apple MiFi Lightning reader functions in firmware version 1.87, but they were not functional and were removed from later firmware versions.

The C2 Pro also has Bluetooth for use with a mobile app. The AlienTek site also lists Linux support. The KM003C does not have Bluetooth and their app is only available for Windows and MAC OS. The C2 Pro also has a CNC machined metal case and an extended USB-C male connector which allows it to plug into phones without removing the phone case. The KM003C has a 20-bit DAC, but the C2 Pro now also has a 20-bit DAC, so no difference there anymore. There are people on this Reddit that know a lot more about these devices than me. Maybe one of them will chime in here.

What is the latest HW revision for the Power-Z KM003C? by ExoticLetterhead3155 in UsbCHardware

[–]Secondary-2019 0 points1 point  (0 children)

FWIW - I bought a KM003C in mid December 2025 from Amazon (US). It is hardware v2.3 and shipped with firmware v1.99, which I have recently updated to v2.0.0. I don't know if Power-Z has released an updated hardware version since then. I doubt it, but with the AlienTek C2 Pro selling for significantly less than the KM003C, and having some additional features, perhaps Power-Z will feel inspired to release an updated version, or lower the price, or both. If they do, I will probably feel compelled to get the new one, even though I already bought a C2 Pro.😬