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FEZ Hydra Basic Kit
FEZ Hydra is a 100% open-source (hardware and software) .NET Gadgeteer compatible mainboard running .NET Micro Framework. It incorporates a 240Mhz AT91SAMRL ARM9 processor. With 16MB of SDRAM an 4MB of FLASH, FEZ Hydra is capable or running the most complex applications.
The Basic Kit includes the essential modules needed to get started with FEZ Hydra.
- FEZ Hydra Mainboard
- USB Client SP Module
- LED7R Module
- Joystick Module
- LightSense Module
- USB Cable
- Reusable Plastic Storage Box
- 14 .NET Gadgeteer Compatible Sockets
- 240MHz ARM9 Processor (running at 200Mhz)
- 16MB SDRAM
- 4MB FLASH
- Complete Graphics support
- TFT display interface (R/G/B sockets) with Touch screen
- FAT16/FAT32
- Full TCP/IP stack with SSL, HTTP, TCP, UDP, DHCP
- USB Device
- 4-bit SD card with no limit on SD card size
- 3.42" x 2.44"
- [Schematic](http://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Dev/dotNET/FEZ Hydra schematics.pdf)
- [Eagle Files](http://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Dev/dotNET/FEZ Hydra 1.2 EAGLE.zip)
- [Getting Started Guide](http://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Dev/dotNET/FEZHydra Basic Kit Guide.pdf)
- Gadgeteer Site
FEZ Hydra Basic Kit Product Help and Resources
Core Skill: Programming
If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Competent - The toolchain for programming is a bit more complex and will examples may not be explicitly provided for you. You will be required to have a fundamental knowledge of programming and be required to provide your own code. You may need to modify existing libraries or code to work with your specific hardware. Sensor and hardware interfaces will be SPI or I2C.
See all skill levels
Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Noob - You don't need to reference a datasheet, but you will need to know basic power requirements.
See all skill levels
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Customer Reviews
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This video explains what gadgeteer is about.
Want to run linux instead? Here is full tutorial on how to do so.
Hope you guys like this exciting new technology.
Gus Issa - GHI Electronics
Wow a "4-bit SD card"? Talk about pulling out the stops!
"You'll never need more than 4 bits of storage."
Can't say enough about the support GHI gives.
I've got the FEZ Hydra, and here's a quick video of one of the latest things I'm doing with it:
http://channel9.msdn.com/Blogs/gduthie/Gadgeteer-LED-Matrix-Module-Demo
FEZ Hydra has power to spare, and .NET Gadgeteer makes it easy to work with.
Full Disclosure: I work for Microsoft, and I'm a raving fan of Gadgeteer, as you can tell by the number of times I've blogged about it.
The Hydra & Gadgeteer rock! GHI support is the best anywhere.
So just recieved my Hydra but had a heck of a time loading the latest firmware version 4.2.4. (jumperwire across pins 8 and 10 on socket 3 etc.) After downloading all relevant SDKs and drivers decided to download a very simple 2010 VS c sharp project but get the following error... Error 1 Cannot deploy the base assembly 'mscorlib', or any of his satellite assemblies, to device - USB:Gadgeteer twice. Assembly 'mscorlib' on the device has version 4.2.0.0, while the program is trying to deploy version 4.1.2821.0
Anybody experience the same?
Did you install the software is in the steps on here? http://ghielectronics.com/support/.net-micro-framework This is a troubleshooting guide as well http://ghielectronics.com/docs/165/netmf-and-gadgeteer-troubleshooting
How does one use the networking on this if it doesnt have an ethernet port that i can see?
Looks like you might need to add one of these: GHI Electronics Ethernet ENC28 Module
can I build my own Gadgeteer modules and libraries, or it only allows factory fixed Gadgeteer modules?
Yes of course, actually many in the community have built modules that they are even selling http://www.tinyclr.com/forum/topic?id=6208
All source codes and designs are open so you can easily get started https://gadgeteer.codeplex.com/
Oops -- "...FEZ Hydra is capable or running the most complex..." should be "of" where the "or" is.
A Microsoft embedded programming platform? Where is the world going? I guess the anecdotal example by a Ford exec about restarting your car randomly as a matter of daily normalcy isn't that far away after all.. LOL
It says that it supports graphics. I've been dying for a SPOT.Presentation capable board. Is SparkFun going to carry the kit that includes touchscreen?
Not sure about Sparkfun’s plans, however, the vendor (GHIElectronics.com) offers 3 display modules – 3.5" touch LCD, 128x128 OLED and a 16x2 HD44780 based display. They have a good selection of modules on their catalog site and provide tremendous support.
If you are new to this the support forum at http://www.tinyclr.com/forum is I think one of the best and lots of sample projects as well.
Glad to see another NETMF board available here. The list of available Gadgeteer modules is over 50 and growing fast.