Holding an RTK Torch for You
Our newest RTK tool and our smallest stepper motor driver are now available! Make sure to stick around for another set of new iFixit tools, too!
Hello everyone and welcome back to another Friday Product Post here at SparkFun Electronics! This is a big week for us because we are finally releasing our latest enclosed GNSS surveyor, the RTK Torch! You may have seen this kit on our site last month as a beta version, but thanks to your feedback from that, we have made a few upgrades and adjustments to the full release. Needless to say, we are extremely happy with the results!
Following that we have a new miniature Stepper Motor Driver featuring the TC78H670FTG from Toshiba. This is a similar board to our ProDriver but in a much smaller form-factor at half the cost! Finally, we have another set of iFixit tools this week focusing on soldering accessories!
Millimeter precision and waterproof protection you can literally hold in a single hand!
The RTK Torch is your one-stop shop for high-precision geolocation and GIS needs. We compiled your wish list and got it all: tri-band reception and tilt compensation, all protected inside a waterproof housing.
With just the press of a button, the RTK Torch is the fastest way to take millimeter-grade measurements. Connecting your phone to the RTK Torch over Bluetooth lets your phone or tablet receive the NMEA output and work with most GIS software. This is exactly how $10,000 surveying devices have been operating for the past decade - we just made it faster, more precise, and much more economical.
The RTK Torch includes Zero-Touch RTK: give the device the WiFi credentials for a hot spot or other WiFi network, and it will begin getting corrections without any further setup. No NTRIP credentials are required!
Step up to the plate for better motor control!
The SparkFun Mini Stepper Motor Driver empowers you to control bipolar stepper motors with ease and precision. This compact driver, measuring just 0.6in. by 0.8in. with breadboard-friendly 0.1in. pin spacing, shines in space-constrained projects and prototyping applications. Getting started is a breeze thanks to our comprehensive Arduino Library, which boasts 10 examples to guide you through the process. Furthermore, you achieve unmatched control over your motor's movement with high-resolution capabilities down to 1/128th of a step.
Master the art of soldering with the iFixit Soldering Splint by your side. Compact yet packed with utility, this tool is designed to seamlessly integrate into both intricate electronics soldering projects and those impromptu household fixes. It ensures wires from 0mm to 4mm stay put, giving you the freedom to focus on the soldering itself.
Prevent electrostatic damage with the iFixit Anti-Static Wrist Strap. This tools helps protect your electronics from accidental electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage during repairs. Ground yourself while working on sensitive electronics to prevent static charge build-up.
This is a simple ESD safe Anti-Static brush. Great for dusting and detailing delicate and not-so delicate components and parts.
Self-fusing silicone electrical tape is the perfect way to insulate and protect your freshly-soldered splice. This 3m long roll of tape (also available in pre-cut strips) stretches several times its own length to tightly wrap and conform to soldered joints, then securely bonds with itself without any sticky gooey adhesives. The wrapped joint is insulative to 600 volts and water resistant.
That's it for this week. As always, we can't wait to see what you make! Shoot us a tweet @sparkfun, or let us know on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn. Please be safe out there, be kind to one another! We'll be back with more new products next week so make sure to check back then. Happy hacking!
Off on a bit of a tangent, I was a bit dismayed earlier this week at something. Being "under the weather", I needed to open cans of chicken noodle soup, and between old age, physical handicaps, and strengh not up to normal, I was finding the "pop top" cans a struggle to open. It dawned on me that I had a SparkFun S.H.O.V.E.L. nearby. Once I got the can's tab into the vertical position, I used the hooked end of the S.H.O.V.E.L. to grab it and lever the lid the rest of the way off. After eating said soup, I decided to add a "review", only to find that the S.H.O.V.E.L. has been retired! :-(