Hardware needed to build my FPZ CM3, Help me?

[luisito]

Hey guys, new member here 

I will be ordering/purchasing all the things that I need to have assemble a full FPZ CM3 and I would like your help.

Since you are the experts, and have a lot of experience, I would like to run the bill of materials and I will appreciate if you confirm that it is complete, correct or if something is missing.

Why am I doing this? Because I live in Europe and shipping is costly. I want to purchase all only 1 time.


Purchase List

1. Freeplay CM3 DIY Kit (this is the module version)
   
2. 2000mAh Battery (part of the kit)
   
3. Soft XY Buttons (part of the kit)
   
4. Speaker (I am unclear if this is included with the kit of if it is purchased apart)
   
5. BoxyPixel Freeplay Raspberry Pi CM3 Aluminum Machined Shell ONLY (Slim) Clear Anodize
   
6. BoxyPixel GBA Freeplay Screen Lens Glass Black (Would an original screen fit? I have original sized glass screens with the GBA logo)
   
7. Boxy Pixel Freeplay Machined Buttons and Directional Keypad Aluminum
   
8. BoxyPixel Raspberry Pi Rear Enclosure Panel Aluminum & Clear
   
9. BoxyPixel Light Pipe Diffuser
   

I have at home

1. Glass Screen GBA Logo
   
2. Silicon Pads, lots of them
   
3. Micro SD Card
   

Questions:

• Is the list complete?
  
• Can the raspberry module be upgraded it to the 3+ (assuming it adds any benefit, since only the Lite is included)
  
• Does anyone know if Freplaytech and BoxyPixel will be kind enough to ship my purchase as a gift or with a very low declared value? (Import entry taxes are extremely high here for any purchase above 25 euros)
  
• Is the speaker part of the kit?
  
• Do I need special hardware to upload the image to the raspberry module? I have never used a module.
  
• Would you recommend black or clear rear enclosure panel? (For the guys that have it)
  

I appreciate your time and your help! 
Thank you!!

[Porcinus]

Hey,
I know what it is, I am in France

The speaker and the Compute Module are included in the CM3 kit.
For the Boxy Pixel part, I am not sure about something, when i bought my, Aluminum buttons/Dpad was include but the shell was at 79USD, maybe they did separate this.

For Compute Module, to my knowledge, it is a Compute Module 3 Lite+ (metal cap on the CPU).

When I did make my orders, I did have around 30-35EUR of import duty for the CM3 kit and luckily nothing for the Boxy Pixel shell

Compute Module work like a standard Rpi, you just need to burn a image on the SDcard, Please note that you will need these : https://www.freeplaytech.com/support/setup/

If you want to use a Glass Screen with the GBA Logo, You will need to scratch some part of the paint, here is how I did it : https://youtu.be/OZYHepz-8SU?t=1290

I hope this will help you

[luisito]

I hope this will help you

Thanks for your reply! and it definitely helps! 

The case from BoxyPixel does not include any buttons, they have to be purchased separately; Also the rear plate has to be purchased separately. 
You got your parts cheaper than todays price, but perhaps there has been improvements in their production to add a cost. Either way, the machined aluminum looks quite beautiful in all the pictures and videos I have seen, so it is worth the upgrade from the plastic generic case.

Yeah! I saw your video earlier on youtube while searching for build guides. When you grabbed the blade to the screen I was shocked thinking that it would scratch everything but you stated the obvious (not so obvious for me), that the screen is glass so it won't scratch. 

I just took out my GBA box and found some useful parts for my build. Like colored silicon START/SELECT Buttons, and L1R1 buttons in many colors. 

If you don't mind me asking, is the stencil/mold/holder that you use to hold the aluminum case in your video available somewhere? Seems 3D printed, so perhaps a file? 

[Porcinus]

Sure

Case holder : https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3624076
Motherboard holder : https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3624081

[Flavor]

It seems that Boxy Pixel has changed his product. The shell used to be more expensive, and it came with the buttons/dpad. Now it is cheaper, but you have to buy buttons/dpad elsewhere. This is good for people that want to use plastic or 3D-printed parts, because it can save some cost.

The glass that Boxy Pixel sells is good. Otherwise, you can do it Porcinus' way and scrape it yourself.

I'm really trying to rush to get through some stuff, but if you still have unanswered questions from your original list, please post a reply with the ones you still want answered.

[luisito]

Sure

Thank you!

It seems that Boxy Pixel has changed his product.  The shell used to be more expensive, and it came with the buttons/dpad.  Now it is cheaper, but you have to buy buttons/dpad elsewhere.  This is good for people that want to use plastic or 3D-printed parts, because it can save some cost.

Cool!
I am interested into checking how it will look when paired with plastic buttons as well. I have a few sets around. I have read around the forum that some plastic buttons do not fit properly or have some play, depending on the manufacturer. 

I ordered the clear rear plate to try my own design at it. Perhaps sanding it to create a diffused light effect when adding LEDs inside or some transparent vinyl colored decal (to match the back plate with the button colors) etc... I have seen your L2R2 prototype mini pcb looks so awesome!!
The more I read around the forum the more questions pop up. 

Can it be charged and played at the same time? Load-through power? I am unsure about the correct term.

UPDATE: I have purchased everything I need!
Ed is a great guy!! He helped me change my order after I totally screwed it up by choosing the wrong button option.

[Porcinus]

You can play will charging the battery but avoid to start the device with no battery inside, the charging IC don't provide enought current at startup, there is a risk of damaging the SDcard file system.

A long time ago, I did make a decal on the back of my laptop, it did last a very long time but you may need to consider placing your decal on the inner part of the back plate because of the sweat :S

[Flavor]

Porcinus is right. It is designed to always have a battery installed, and you can charge+play at the same time.

I just want to add a couple links to this thread.

Boxy Pixel's Build Instructions: https://www.boxypixel.com/pages/assembly...erry-pi-cm
Boxy Pixel's 3D-Printable ABXY Buttons: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3629475
Boxy Pixel's 3D-Printable Light Pipe: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3655598

[luisito]

You can play will charging the battery but avoid to start the device with no battery inside, the charging IC don't provide enought current at startup, there is a risk of damaging the SDcard file system.

A long time ago, I did make a decal on the back of my laptop, it did last a very long time but you may need to consider placing your decal on the inner part of the back plate because of the sweat :S

I will definitely will have the battery installed all the time, I got the custom battery pack.
My question was more directed towards being able to play it on my monitor while using the handheld as a controller through the HDMI port. Don't even know if that is possible.

Good advice on the decal, I never considered to have it on the inside; will have too look for a cool decal with glue on the front then.

I just want to add a couple links to this thread.

Thanks for the links! I can't wait to receive my parts and put it together.
Hopefully I will be able to put a nice video about the build. 

[Porcinus]

My question was more directed towards being able to play it on my monitor while using the handheld as a controller through the HDMI port. Don't even know if that is possible.

Yes, it should work without troubles
Just avoid too much stress on the HDMI cable, these little connector are not design to handle this in any way :S