CapibaraZero: A cheap alternative to FlipperZero based on ESP32-S3 | Hacker News Reader

CapibaraZero: A cheap alternative to FlipperZero based on ESP32-S3

capibarazero.com

70 pointsandreock12 comments

The value of the Flipper isn't so much the hardware, it's the documentation and ecosystem. Unfortunately, any other project will have to do a lot of work to compete, but it's a worthwhile attempt.

What about an AliExpress clone of the Flipper Zero electronics, reusing the design+firmware+docs+ecosystem+community, while undercutting on price?

Not a clone, but at least reuse some of the more useful apps and techniques.

Too bad that flipper didn't upgrade the hardware to include bluetooth and wi-fi at minimum. Makes it really limited. Also, the price for purchasing a device went really high compared to the initial price of 100 euros per unit.

Really a pitty, love my flipper. :-)

It does include Bluetooth, and you can get a wifi board that isn't super useful (at least to me).

The WiFi board unfortunately lacks the polish that the rest of the unit has. It’s like minimally attaching a bare raspberry pi to your Flipper in the most awkward way possible. They really should have built this in, particularly considering plenty of ESP-32s come with Bluetooth and WiFi for very, very cheap.

Just as reference, LiLyGo is producing a ready-made Capibara for 80 euros: https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005007967599411.html

I have not tried yet, so cannot vouche for the quality.

If you buy from official website you will save some money: https://lilygo.cc/products/t-embed-cc1101

BTW their factory firmware isn't complete, it's just for testing purpose.

Good find! Was afraid of the added shipping costs but this was just an additional 5 USD to ship

https://projecthub.arduino.cc/andreockx/capibarazero-a-multi...

Here's what it looks like, the assembly, and a broader overview than the OP linked website. Young project so the information is a bit scattered.

Can someone tell me what neat projects they have done with FlipperZero? I have one on my MCU/SBC pile and have never thought of a reason to boot it up.

Its read/emulate function for various wireless chip protocols makes it an excellent development companion for these types of applications.

BadUSB can store portable scripts in an easily executable fashion.

Backup universal IR for when you lose the TV remote, or volume control at your local sports bar (this will turn heads, even though tv-b-gone have been around forever)

These are the most useful things I’ve actually done with it.

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