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anyone need APEX DIY breakout box?


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I'm gonna replace my original one as i HATE the wimpy wire connector they used!

So while i'm at it I figured I would offer to make more. Lmk if you are interested, so I can make sure I get enough parts etc.

Btw, I'm leaning towards the RJ45 implementation, and hoping to build them either this weekend or the next.

Oh, all I ask is that you pay for the cost of parts grin.png

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I have a DIY BOB that is made with phono jacks, it works great and is nice a secure.

The RJ45 would annoy me if I either broke a clip off or had fat fingers that day and had a hard time pinching the clip down if I was at a weird angle. I like the secure grab of the phono plug and the ease of it.

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I have a DIY BOB that is made with phono jacks, it works great and is nice a secure.

The RJ45 would annoy me if I either broke a clip off or had fat fingers that day and had a hard time pinching the clip down if I was at a weird angle. I like the secure grab of the phono plug and the ease of it.

Thx for the feedback Chris!

Anyone else have opinions / preferences? I was simply leaning towards the RJ45 implementation for ease of building, eg no soldering required.

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Depends on a)cost b)what we have to do to compensate you for time spent with phono/RJ45 :)

Phono is probably easier in terms of hooking it up to a device (nice big wire, easy to strip vs small wire and having to go through 2 jackets and not having to make/cut a new patch cable each time you want to add a device).

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I recently bought the new version, it work, and does not seem too flimsy, but I really like the idea of the phono jacks a lot. Easy to plug/unplug as needed, but will not fall out. The RJ45 would work, might just do RJ11 if you go that route a but smaller, but as bio said it if broke... at the same time SUPER easy to crimp RJ45/11 jacks!

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So i've got the following down for DIY BOBs w/ noted preference (please post if i missed you or your preference of RJ45 vs plug):

Mitch x2

dsquared

Capt O (prefers plug)

victoly

I'll go price things out visiting Fry's, Altex, and RadioShack.

I'm still leaning towards RJ45 implementation as I don't forsee doing a lot of connecting/reconnecting, just like the existing Apex connections, eg temp probe. Btw, I have never had the need to disconnect any of the items currently plugged into my OEM BOB.

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So here's what I dug up pricing wise:

3.9 x 2.0 x 0.8 project box @ Altex $2.99

3.5mm mono phone jack @ Fry's $0.99 x 6 = $5.94

3.5mm mono phone plug @ Fry's $1.19 x 6 = $7.14

6 port keystone surface mount box @ Fry's $3.49

RJ45 keystone @ Fry's (package of 10 for $19.99) x 6 = $12.00

RJ45 plug @ RadioShack (package of 100 for $14.99) x 6 = $0.90 (could be free as someone probably has enough of these lying around).

mini din 8 @ Amazon 6' for $5.58

Cost per BOB w/ 2' mini din 8 tail using 3.5mm phone jacks if you used all 6 ports totals to ~$18.86+tax (w/o plugs just $11.72)

Cost per using RJ45 totals to ~$19.18+tax (w/o plugs $18.28).

So cost wise it's really a wash if you end up using all/most of the ports, but favors the phone jacks if you are only using a few.

For me, I'm going with RJ45 for the ease of construction, and general consistency with the rest of my setup as I already use RJ45 for the network and LED controls, and RJ11 for the temp probes. Once again I don't foresee a need to be un/plugging alot.

Who wants me to construct this version for them?

I will NOT be constructing the version using 3.5mm phono plugs, but happy to order additional mini din 8 cables as needed for your construction.

Lmk by MON evening please so I can get the order by this weekend hopefully.

Btw does anyone have Amazon Prime membership so I/we can get 2 day shipping vs the Free Super Saver shipping which is 5-8 biz days?

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So here's what I dug up pricing wise:

3.9 x 2.0 x 0.8 project box @ Altex $2.99

3.5mm mono phone jack @ Fry's $0.99 x 6 = $5.94

3.5mm mono phone plug @ Fry's $1.19 x 6 = $7.14

6 port keystone surface mount box @ Fry's $3.49

RJ45 keystone @ Fry's (package of 10 for $19.99) x 6 = $12.00

RJ45 plug @ RadioShack (package of 100 for $14.99) x 6 = $0.90 (could be free as someone probably has enough of these lying around).

mini din 8 @ Amazon 6' for $5.58

Cost per BOB w/ 2' mini din 8 tail using 3.5mm phone jacks if you used all 6 ports totals to ~$18.86+tax (w/o plugs just $11.72)

Cost per using RJ45 totals to ~$19.18+tax (w/o plugs $18.28).

So cost wise it's really a wash if you end up using all/most of the ports, but favors the phone jacks if you are only using a few.

For me, I'm going with RJ45 for the ease of construction, and general consistency with the rest of my setup as I already use RJ45 for the network and LED controls, and RJ11 for the temp probes. Once again I don't foresee a need to be un/plugging alot.

Who wants me to construct this version for them?

I will NOT be constructing the version using 3.5mm phono plugs, but happy to order additional mini din 8 cables as needed for your construction.

Lmk by MON evening please so I can get the order by this weekend hopefully.

Btw does anyone have Amazon Prime membership so I/we can get 2 day shipping vs the Free Super Saver shipping which is 5-8 biz days?

I've got Amazon prime. Send me a link of what is needed and I will order it. Also, I think I have a bag of RJ45s that I will donate so sign me up for 1 w/ the RJ45s.

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