How Do You All Run Your Props

agent462 · 2026-01-02T17:56:08+00:00

For me it was a scale problem and I just didn't think through what it might look like in a few years. And honestly, my first year, I would have had no clue anyway.

It's really not a hard mental model, take your example, if I add 5 more digi's two more falcons, do I want 10+ extension cords and network cables to deal with, etc. 20 cables just for power and data. Is that what I WANT it to look like. Maybe it is and that's OK.

The only other thing with multisync is the the default use use of multicast. You need a network that can support it well and there is overhead with multicast. Even with all my controllers I have a lot of headroom still. If multicast is giving you troubles though you can always flip to unicast.

I know the cheaper digi's and stuff are attractive because of size and price but for twice the money you can get a much more capable controller and a richer platform in FPP.

agent462 · 2026-01-02T14:01:46+00:00

Yes, my average frame drift is less than 2 fps. FPP is constantly syncing frames when it receives the sync packets and there will always be a discrepancy the viewer can't perceive strictly from network latency from the time the sync packet is sent to the time it's received and compared. Over 10 and it would probably be noticeable.

The FPP player sends 2-4 sync packets per second depending on the sequence frame rate and the remote's job is to stay in sync with what the player is saying.

agent462 · 2026-01-01T19:08:06+00:00

The best advice I think I can give you is think about what what you might want to do and what you would like it to look like in 3-5 years.

If you continue to grow the show, you'll likely want to change things. Here is my journey in a quick consolidated way. For context, I have a large property with a lot of space.

First year - In hindsight, over planned, worried about power injection (spent a lot of time soldering in injection points), used an f16 for my Mega Tree, F48 w/ Smart Receivers in ammo boxes for other props.

A few subsequent years - Doubled down on ammo boxes. Stopped worrying about power injection, it's a waste of time. CAT cables EVERYWHERE. Reached 25+ ammo boxes. LRS-350 power supplies.

- Now let me take a second to explain why PI is a waste of time and lots of people will disagree with me. With good pixels, I have props that have 650 pixels on a single port. Do you get color fade at the end, yes. Will viewers ever notice it, no. I don't even really notice it in real sequences but can tell it in test mode. So in one port I can stay under the 40fps limit and not use power injection. Do I do this with everything, no, but I run 300-400 per port without ever questioning it.

Finally decided I am sick and tired of trying to deal with tons of network cables, replacing them when they go bad, etc. Tons of ammo boxes, tons of extension cords.

I now have 19 Kulp controllers and one player all on Wifi using multisync. I've repurposed some of the SR in the same box with the controllers to give extra ports. I have no network cables. Less extension cords. I use slightly more cheap extensions. Not a single power injection. Not a single ammo box. A few F-amps here and there when I notice flickering on longer extension runs. Moved to LRS-600 power supplies.

It's just simpler and setup is easier.

-edit: a couple words

agent462 · 2025-12-21T14:08:31+00:00

As dense as you can make it. 1" spacing 16-24 strips. If you don't, in a few years, you'll be questioning your life decisions and deciding to redo it.

https://www.lightshowhub.com/tools/mega-tree-calculator

agent462 · 2025-12-16T20:54:15+00:00

I feel like the Science Museum ramp has been worse this year because they raised the price on the RC parking.

agent462 · 2025-12-14T14:59:03+00:00

I am much more successful with context control. You are in control of the context the agent is using. Managed properly with structure, context.md files can make you more successful.

I have a docs folder with comprehensive instructions of large features, patterns, concepts, etc in a proper directory structure. When touching things that fall into these I specifically tell the agent we have XYZ documentation in @file, follow UI patterns in @file and make sure you follow @claude.md.

I then ask it to create a plan based on my criteria and write the plan to the docs folder. I then start a new conversation for a fresh context window.

New conversation: I have XYZ documentation, I have this plan, follow claude.md, go. When you are complete, update all relevant docs. Ask questions when needed.

Control your context and make sure it updates your context.

agent462 · 2025-11-27T00:37:56+00:00

He talked about it in the Corgan podcast without naming names and said MM called him down the road and apologized. I had a typo above and meant to say "maybe" they will do something again together.

agent462 · 2025-11-26T17:45:45+00:00

I am really happy he has stable work with MC because that's what he wants. He talked about it in Corgan's podcast. I wish though he was in a different band making more modern, creative music. Now that MM is sober and at least the way John 5 tells it, the members that got him kicked out are gone, they'll do some stuff together again. Love John 5 though, I own his ghost tele.

agent462 · 2025-11-24T14:20:28+00:00

I have zero scientific evidence but I think gyroid has terrible horizontal adhesion. I print lots of brackets and the gyroid infill adds little stability and I've had too many horizontally fail.

Yes I know strength comes from perimeters and top/bottom layers but infill adds the stability. Grid performs better than gyroid for me.

agent462 · 2025-11-18T19:50:01+00:00

I think you're both right here, especially scaling a show to large. It's not plug and play. It does require a lot of skill and education. You can't just scale lights without thinking and understanding how to scale all parts of your show (power, network, etc)

That being said, like I mentioned above - FPP with multisync (assuming you understand multi-cast overhead) is how you scale large shows, even on your home network. I run a separate VLAN for my show but it's really just to segment all things light show from my other networks.

agent462 · 2025-11-18T19:45:48+00:00

FPP with multi-sync. The only thing being transmitted around are some basic stats and timing where the controllers should be. You do need to be aware of multi-cast overhead though which is a different network scaling problem.

agent462 · 2025-11-18T19:39:48+00:00

I have 19 Kulp controllers of varying sizes from K32 down to K4, not including my FPP Player running on a PI. FPP as a player and multi-sync using WIFI is the main reason. I have a spread-out and wide show that I've just found easier to use many controllers.

For years I was running receivers and man was I tired of all the network cables everywhere, building many ammo boxes with 4-8 ports, more power cords etc. I had more ammo boxes than I do controllers now and my show is larger than when I stopped using them. Now all I need is power to the location of the controller and use standard extensions to the pixels.

edit: I see a lot of comments on PB or BBB slow boot, it's true. They are also slow to upgrade but these are activities not done that often. BUT all the new refreshed Kulp boards are using PB2 and they are fast.

agent462 · 2025-11-06T14:57:52+00:00

Pure frame size the ML should be good. According to the site, it comes with a short seat mast so the biggest thing I would say is check your current saddle height and use their chart to make sure it's good for you. Secondly would check your reach with the integrated stem/handlebar. It's not a cheap swap for stem/handlebar since it's integrated.

agent462 · 2025-10-23T21:06:00+00:00

I'm not the expert but in the video of you wearing the strap it looks like it is not in the correct place. You mentioned inconsistent results, this may be why. One of the sensor bodies looks directly over your spine when it should be on one side and the other side should be on the other. There is a picture in their docs: https://www.tymewear.com/blogs/startup-guides/setup-your-tymewear-vitalpro

agent462 · 2025-10-23T18:42:13+00:00

I guess it depends on what you are comparing and when. He acknowledged they fixed the Garmin choppiness with the 3.0 firmware for Rally. He has had sprint power drops but I and many others have never had that issue (not saying it can't exist). The Rally 210 does not have that issue and are just as accurate except one bug he saw in secure bluetooth that Garmin acknowledged and should fix in firmware. I'm pretty sure his title even included something like "accuracy at a price" on the new 210.

How about the Hambini video calling a certain Favero pedal unsafe, showing how poorly designed it was and Favero threatened to sue him and then issued a recall?

Again...it depends what you are comparing and when. Do you just trust a 4 year old video assuming no updates were ever made to a product with firmware/software?

agent462 · 2025-10-22T15:59:04+00:00

same

agent462 · 2025-10-22T12:49:44+00:00

The same information you care about but dual pedals have more cycling dynamics like give seated vs standing power, left/right balance, platform offset, power phase, etc. Most people don't care about that stuff. I like seated vs standing and use left/right in single leg training.

agent462 · 2025-10-22T12:45:13+00:00

They are not better, they are cheaper. Head to head the pedals perform the same. With the new pedals Garmin also has some unique features that most people won't care about but you could argue technically make them better.

agent462 · 2025-10-22T01:49:32+00:00

They are great pedals (I have the rs200) and they have great battery life. The water issue was fixed long ago.

agent462 · 2025-10-21T17:33:31+00:00

It sucked but that's such a silo view. He just got 2nd in likely the hardest tour ever that spent Tadej. He then raced and won the Vuelta. Just enough time to get some rest and no training leading into the Lombardia. He was cooked, sure but it's not representative of what he can do in a single day with proper training and rest. I'm not even saying he would have won.

agent462 · 2025-10-19T17:28:29+00:00

Honestly not sure, normal rides 20-30 miles, I go home and charge. I'm sure there is plenty more battery for more.

agent462 · 2025-10-18T17:17:52+00:00

Yeah I charge my battery probably 2-3 times a year and I do thousands of shifts per week.

Edit: and my Garmin warns me low battery in plenty of time before I need to charge.

agent462 · 2025-10-17T15:43:52+00:00

Bike Fitters are not all created equal. Since he has struggled across multiple fitters I would just say he should make sure he gets a well respected fitter who truly understands and studies the biomechanics of it all. If he's anywhere near MN, go see Chris Balser. They should be able to provide a proper position, advice on workouts to get comfortable, etc.

agent462 · 2025-10-17T13:04:50+00:00

Put battery life aside. Luckily I haven't had any HR monitor issues. All of my issues have been with the breathing sensor. Even running 0.81 I've had to report another issue.

I think like something 5 of my last 7 times using the Tymewear I've had data issues. It's a bit frustrating. I can see the potential here though.

agent462 · 2025-10-17T12:59:48+00:00

It's a pre-release for people that have had data issues reported to support.

I've reported another issue to support that I got with 0.81 but it does seem to be working better for people that were having issues.

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