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Ben Heck's Beaglebone Black Geocache

adamsoileau1

A few years back Ben created a BeagleBone Geocache that saved pictures and messages when discovered. Currently, I have my hands on it and am curious what you would like to see added or changed on the build. I have some experience with Raspberry Pis, but I would like to know if anyone has worked BeagleBones before and what the benefit may be for using one over a Raspberry Pi -- because a Pi usually my go-to single board computer. I have a few ideas like implementing solar cells to improve the battery life and maybe more clues for unlocking the device, but I would like to know what the community thinks of the project and what they would like to see included!

 

Original Episode: Episode 197: Ben Heck's BeagleBone Black Geocache Episode

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    Adam, scanning quickly through Ben's geocache video, I assume he selected the BBB for a couple of reasons.  Using the built-in eMMC memory, it boots up fast, and shuts down fast, compared to a Raspberry Pi.  He was optimizing the battery life.  Especially in the "old days", the BBB operating system was Angstrom, and it was fast.  I assume Ben used the lite version of debian (called the IoT version).  The Pi could have been substituted for the BBB.  Another advantage is the BBB power draw, it can reliably be powered by a USB 2.0 connection (5 v at 0.5 amps).  The BBB isn't as fast as a Pi 2 or Pi3.  It was fast enough for Ben's objectives.

     

    The Pi is definitely easier to learn because of its popularity, there are examples for everything you can think of.  I use both SBCs.  Among the reasons I like the BBB is has true analog inputs for sensor readings, and it has the PRU processors for real-time tasks.  Those reasons probably don't help with geocaching though.

  • 0 in reply to mp2100

    Awesome! Thank you for the input! I'm probably going to pick up a BBB and investigate a little more. I have not used one before, and I am curious to know if the Pi4 boots faster than the BBB with the newest operating system. It has been a while since I used anything older than a Pi3B -- I think the Pi2 was released before Ben made the project, but I am assuming the Pi4 boots faster than the older models; however, I am definitely not sure. I would not be surprised if the BBB boots faster than the Pi2, so that would make sense as to why he chose it.

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