RoadTest Forum - Recent Threads

Arduino Ventuno Q - my first experience with the Ventuno Q

geralds — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 23:29:02 GMT

Here's my first experience using the Ventuno-Q:

Today I received a 3D depth camera: Orbbec Astra Pro Plus.
This camera has a USB connector (USB-A, 3.0) and can therefore be easily connected to the Ventuno-Q

This is my working place:

left: my solder station, front: Uno-Q, Ventuno-Q, modulinos, behind: two MIPI/CSI cameras, USB docking stick, right: keyboard

Here in a 5-minute video I demonstrate how to open an example project using the App Lab:
The application is an example AI program that uses a 3D depth camera to display objects.
You can adjust the sensitivity settings to filter objects based on their size.

[View:/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/14/VentunoQ-_2D00_-3D-depth-USB_2D00_camera-_2D00_-Orbbec-Astra-Pro-Plus.mp4:640:360]

This example uses a pre-trained model to detect objects on a live video feed from a camera.
The workflow involves continuously getting the frames from a camera, processing it through an AI model using the video object detection Brick,
and displaying the bounding boxes around detections. The App is managed from an interactive web interface.

This example is based on the Arduino UNO Q, but also works on Arduino VENTUNO Q.

The projects and examples featured in the App Lab are typically write-protected; therefore, you must create a copy before you can make any modifications.

If you like more information's about App Lab, please follow Arduino's Git:

https://github.com/arduino/arduino-app-lab

Best regards
Gerald

Nice E14 swag with Open Call Road Test

robogary — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 23:19:41 GMT

Received surprise E14 community swag with the delivery of

The Open Call Road test product, a Multicomp USB cordless grinder.

Thank you for the nice E14 winter cap, pin, and stickers.

Woohoo ! I'm looking forward to my evaluation.

RE: Nice E14 swag with Open Call Road Test

DAB — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 19:25:20 GMT

Well earned.

RE: Nice E14 swag with Open Call Road Test

kk99 — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:26:38 GMT

I also got the same swag with the delivery of the Open Call Road Test. Thanks E14, for the surprise !

RE: Nice E14 swag with Open Call Road Test

Qbit — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:58:12 GMT

Thank you for posting about it! Excited to see how you review the grinder and how you are going to use it!

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

DAB — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 01:45:58 GMT

As long as we get good information about your testing, I really have no preference.

What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

obones — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 07:28:54 GMT

Hello,

As I'm currently reviewing the RedPitaya 125-14 Pro Gen 2 starter kit, I write down notes along the way so as not to forget anything when the time comes to write down the official roadtest review.

In that particular instance, those notes are starting to make for quite a lot with currently 6 A4 pages and I'm not over yet.

Sure, some will be summarized, some are contradicted with later findings and won't even be mentioned in the final report, but still it's a lot of material and I'm wondering what you people would prefer:

One lengthy roadtest review report
One shorter "quick overview and final opinion report" alongside a few forum discussions that each focus on an aspect of the board that I tested

In the past, I always did just one lengthy document but this time, I wondering if it wouldn't be too much to read at once. But then, all in one place is easier to find compared to information scattered across multiple pages.

What do you think?

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

kmikemoo — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 02:23:24 GMT

I've also got to go with the multiple, shorter posts. All of them should point back to the first post which should contain a Table of Contents running blog list (with links).
My attention span just isn't what it used to be. I would rather follow the breadcrumb trail than try to eat the whole loaf in one sitting.

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

geralds — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 19:36:40 GMT

Hi obones ,

Well, much like what you and others have written, I also prefer a series of shorter, interconnected blog posts.

I think it also depends on the complexity of the project.
For instance, whether you're dealing with a measuring instrument, a computer, or "smaller" devices—the description and explanation will vary accordingly.
Another thing I do is read the reviews by other participants - after all, we’re a team; that’s exactly how I view it - and that helps me decide where to focus my own review.
Because you don't have to copy everything exactly; you can supplement or expand on others with your own contribution.

For example, I'm now allowed to participate in the road test of the Arduino Ventuno Q. Thank you very much Owain and Christopher for that opportunity!

Well, I usually write everything in German first, then translate it into English.
On top of that, as an electronics specialist, I face the challenge of mastering the software as quickly as possible.
I’m learning and doing everything through self-study, building things up in my own lab.
So, in a way, it’s like learning a third language.
-> I’m very familiar with standard Arduinos (and the Raspberry Pi) - the smaller controllers - but the Ventuno Q is a whole different ball game for me.
That naturally shapes the way I write my review.
So, how much should I actually write?!?!?! 🤔

In the past, I used to write entire user manuals and technical descriptions—documents the size of brochures.
...Oops... as you can see from all the words above... "once I get started, where does it end...?" 😇😎

So, I prefer keeping it shorter—highlighting the key aspects of my project—and that works well.

I wish you, and all the other road testers, all the best for your review.👍

Best Regards
Gerald

---

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

misaz — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:43:54 GMT

I originally wrote long multiblog reviews, often with tutorials. My first RoadTest review was 194 pages in word (but let's be honest, Cloud setup tutorial had lot of images) and spanned across 18 blog posts among the main roadtest page. It included even superdetailed things like review how easy is to program MCU firmware in assembler with tutorial But result was that almost nobody read these blogs.

Over time, I was simplifing my reviews. In my last review, I reached a state, when people not only read my review, but also comment about some parts of it.

Over time I learnt that RoadTest reviews likely should not duplicate datasheet much. I try to focus on sharing experience with device/chip/tool/etc rather than duplicating official documentation. Nowadays, I would consider such long review only in case when manufacturer docs are horrible, but I would not join such roadtest in the first place these days.

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

OwainM — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:22:29 GMT

Hey obones,

Thank you for posting this question for discussion in the RoadTest forum.

The short answer is that you can structure your review as you see fit.

If you find it easier and that you're able to give a more in-depth and clear evaluation of your time reviewing the STEMLab 125-14 Pro using multiple review blogs, with the final review summarising and final opinipon report, I would take this approach.

If you're better able to write the review as a single longer report, then I would suggest that instead.

You may find it helpful to use review blogs even with a longer final report.

I hope this helps you with your writing.

Owain

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

colporteur — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:49:50 GMT

Thank you for the clarity. I don't wish to distract for O's question and responses.

Now I need to apologize to members if they start getting multiple messages. I moved my RoadTest content to the blog area from the Review forum.

I gots to get me a better RoadMap for RoadTest to avoid getting Roadweary.

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

ralphjy — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 16:55:03 GMT

Roadtests generally require some amount of software and hardware development in order to do the evaluation, so I find it helpful to document that as separate blogs posts. I find those posts extremely useful in generating a more concise summary for the review itself. If I tried to do it as one long review document, I would have difficulty editing it.

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

shabaz — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:46:40 GMT

I was just thinking about this more.. technically it's harder to write concisely and strip off unnecessary content, so that's another reason, why shorter posts are more appealing.

I don't like it when there are excessive dumps of output that might better as a zip attachment (or a repo somewhere), because I feel the reviewer ought to look through the results and provide their analysis for the readers benefit.

Also, for some reason, I've never really liked that collection of photo feature (which slides images past). I think it's far easier to scan through a blog when it has normal image attachments than figuring out how to quickly click or slide through to the images of interest. But I know people use that feature so maybe I'm just not operating it correctly.

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

gpolder — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:44:25 GMT

fully agree, blog posts and a RoadTest review to summarise.

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

robogary — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:33:46 GMT

Great point about getting reader feedbacks

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

shabaz — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 13:57:30 GMT

Hi,

If you're creating many separate posts, it's almost always far better to use 'blogs' to create them, rather than 'discussions'.

I've found it's almost always never worth using discussions unless it is a short question being asked, or just a link or other extremely small snippet of info being given. Discussions are very hard to find afterwards, whereas Google maybe searches out blogs better.

Maybe I'm wrong on this, but my experience has been I've always regretted discussions because the interesting topics end up being expanded a bit more or people will provide interesting information in the responses, and then it's hard to find afterwards when it's a discussion rather than a blog.

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

robogary — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:14:26 GMT

I like the multiple shorter posts, organized chronologically like chapters of a book. As others have commented, a 5-10 minute read is better for getting thru the post without other distractions.

When I publish shorter posts based on testing milestones, I feel more like Im making progress in the test. Those shorter posts also help me to find test gaps and mistakes as I go.

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

Jan Cumps — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 10:28:38 GMT

I also prefer multiple shorter ones.

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

BigG — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 08:40:07 GMT

I prefer the all in one place review. But it depends. If there is a narrow topic or focus area within the review that warrants a deep dive then a separate blog post is certainly useful (kinda like an addendum).

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

michaelkellett — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 08:06:26 GMT

I find multiple reports both easier to write and easier to read.

From the writing point of view - I think it helps establish a dialogue with the audience and getting comments as you do the work helps steer it in better directions.

From the reader's point of view - finding 5 or10 minutes to read a blog is not too hard - 30 minutes is more of a problem.

RE: What's your preference? One (quite) long review publication, or a shorter one along with some discussions here?

gpolder — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 07:41:22 GMT

I'm in exactly the same position, currently reviewing the CM5 module. Most of my previous reviews were published as one lengthy report, but this time I've decided to write a series of blog posts and wrap things up with a final RoadTest summary.

One advantage of this approach is that you can publish updates as you go, rather than having to wait until all the work is done. This means the results become available to the community much sooner, and you can also adapt the direction of your review based on feedback and responses to your earlier posts.

Red Pitaya STEMlab....out of the box

colporteur — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 19:49:03 GMT

It arrived! What "it" is I don't quite recall.

This RoadTest opened in May, application selection was in June, review complete six week later. It is now September. Hummm...RoadTest finished last week, I didn't think I was done.

Colporteur, please refrain from being facetious when commenting on RoadTest. Your inside voice speaking to you.

It has been sometime since I attempted a RoadTest. One change. Give credit to the RoadTest organizers. Your one page check sheet included AWESOME! I remember searching through the box to make sure I didn't throw something out with the packing.

No swag bag of stickers with the shipment. My grand kids will be disappointed.

I unboxed and proceeded to discover what I have gotten myself into. Well and least the parts that I received. I don't recall seeing a checklist document in the past. It gave me confidence that I have what I'm expected I have. Now what I am suppose to do with it, is a mystery I have yet to solve.

I think the application might be on a different computer. I will have to look that up. Thanks to Element14 and the Red Pitaya sponsors, the short ethernet cable in the kit allowed me to plug in my laptop and find my application for this RoadTest.

Did I say I could do that? I think we need to talk.

I wanted to let you folks know the RoadTest package has arrived and according to the schedule I'm done.

RE: Red Pitaya STEMlab....out of the box

Jan Cumps — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 16:01:36 GMT

What were your intentions with it at the time?

RE: Red Pitaya STEMlab....out of the box

johnmitchell — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 15:24:06 GMT

I've had one since 2014- still haven't really found a use for it.