Introduction to AliExpress Series and Sponsor #
- Video series tests AliExpress products to determine if they are hidden gems or garbage.
- Focuses on 6 different products, starting with a tiny Linux board costing 6€.
- Sponsor: JLCPCB Layout Service for PCB design issues like signal interference, impedance matching, and EMI; starts at 45 cents per pin, 2-day turnaround; new users get $360 coupons plus $70 for PCB/PCBA.
Tiny Linux Board (6€) #
- Tiny board runs Linux, lacks HDMI but has USB-C, camera interface, SD card slot.
- Built around Rockchip RV1103 (1.2GHz ARM Cortex A7 CPU with integrated RISC-V core for GPIO, I2C, PWM, SPI).
- Weaker than Raspberry Pi but suitable for lightweight applications.
- Setup: Flash firmware to SD card, power on; access via serial port (used USB-to-serial adapter due to no WiFi/Ethernet).
- Linux runs fine; good documentation, SDK, and guides compared to other Chinese boards.
- Recommendation: Thumbs up for super cheap, lightweight Linux board despite weak performance.
2-in-1 Cup Holder (24€) #
- Heats/cools drinks (claimed -3°C to 65°C) for road trips; uses Peltier module.
- Operation: Switch between cooling/heating via display (no fine temperature adjustment); shows current cup temperature with 2-3°C inaccuracy.
- Actual max: Software-locked to 60°C (not 65°C); current draw up to 2.5A.
- Test: Cooled 500ml can from 22.2°C to 18.2°C in 30 minutes; efficiency below 20% due to Peltier excess heat, not matching high-efficiency claim.
- Assessment: Does job adequately but inefficient; barely thumbs up.
Mosquito Repelling Wristband (5€) #
- Claims ultrasonic waves repel mosquitoes; cheap with good reviews; falsely associated with Xiaomi.
- Cheap materials; difficult strap mechanism.
- Features: Touch button cycles 3 screens with nonsensical numbers; auto-off after seconds; no manual info.
- Teardown: Minimal internals (LED matrix, touch button, microcontroller, crystal); no ultrasonic components.
- Assessment: Does not work as claimed; thumbs down.
Makita Battery Adapter (15€) #
- Tiny, quiet adapter for Makita batteries (also for Milwaukee/Dewalt); replaces bulky, loud original charger.
- Charges via USB-C PD (up to 140W, 6.3A input); original charger does 9A.
- Teardown: IP2366 IC with protections; good efficiency, stays cool; stops at correct voltage (slightly lower than original).
- Reverse use: Powerbank mode (140W USB-C, 5V/4A USB-A).
- Assessment: No negatives; highly recommended.
WiFi SD Card (9€) #
- Inserts micro SD card; enables WiFi access from computer (useful for 3D printers).
- Setup: Simple WiFi connection via serial commands.
- Issues: Unreliable; only works with FAT (not exFAT/FAT32); frequent connection failures; occasional file copy attempts crash system.
- Assessment: Great idea but unreliable and unsafe; thumbs down.
PTC Heater (4€) #
- Aluminum plate with mains wires for reflow soldering PCBs; adds feet for stability.
- Heats rapidly to ~235°C limit via PTC elements (low resistance cold, high when hot; self-regulating at constant voltage).
- Test: Works acceptably for reflow as cheap hot plate alternative, but 235°C risks damaging components; entire metal heats up.
- Safety: Mains wires near unearthed metal; poor design.
- Assessment: Functional but unsafe; thumbs down.
Overall Conclusion #
- Covered 6 products; 50/50 good/bad split.
- Teases more tests in future episodes.
- Call to action: Like, share, subscribe, notification bell.
Summary #
- Thumbs up: Tiny Linux board (cheap, well-documented), 2-in-1 cup holder (barely, due to efficiency), Makita adapter (excellent all-around).
- Thumbs down: Mosquito wristband (fake claims), WiFi SD card (unreliable), PTC heater (safety issues).
- Series highlights AliExpress variability: 3 successes, 3 failures.
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