This was posted 6 years 9 months 21 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

Related
  • expired

Onion Omega2 Iot Computer for $7.95 + $3 Shipping @ Core Electronics. Linux SBC w/ 580MHz CPU, 64MB RAM, Wi-Fi, and More

590

We've ordered way too many of these wonderful little boards and have decided to make an OzBargain exclusive offer for 48 hours (unless stock sells out). Ok, so it's open to everyone but we're only releasing that info here =)

Over 30% off.

Onion Omega is a Single Board Computer with these features:

  • 580Mhz CPU
  • 64MB RAM
  • 16MB Flash Storage
  • USB 2
  • WiFi b/g/n
  • 15 GPIO
  • 2 PWM
  • 2 UART
  • 1 I2C
  • 1 SPI
  • 1 I2S

These boards are best suited for makers that are comfortable with a headless workflow and know how to make the most of single board computers that operate on Linux.

A unique feature of Onion Omega boards is that the mainboards are inexpensive. All of the programming hardware is managed via an external dock. With one dock you can program countless Omega boards that cost a few bucks each.

Note you might be up for an extra $14-28 for a dock: While you could build your own, it would be best to get a dock if you don't have one already. Once you have one dock, you can use that to flash / maintain your Omega's.

Some tips in advance (we've been hands-on with Onion hardware for weeks now and these simple tips have solved all the niggles we've experienced):

  • Keep the Onion within 5 meters of your WiFi modem/router (this solves 99% of "doesn't work" issues)
  • If you need more WiFi range, then use the u.FL connection and a high gain antenna
  • Don't use the GUI - we've found this version is too buggy - get straight into command line for setup/use (with rock-solid Linux software packages)

Bear in mind that the $3 shipping method can be a bit slow and has no tracking (4+ days). Faster options available, starting at $6.95 with full tracking etc.

We've put together a range of guides to help people get started, and there's also an official getting started guide

Related Stores

Core Electronics
Core Electronics

closed Comments

  • Gah whyyyy, so cheap and so many possibilities! Must resist….

    • +3

      I know the feeling - I'm scared I'll wake one morning and they will all have self-assembled together with the Zapals trinkets into an unstoppable war machine…

  • +16

    I have no idea what this is, what it does or how to use it. Bought one.

    • +3

      I know the feeling, I have so many door stops, I wonder if Xiaomi do doors.

  • +6

    obligatory comments

    • can this mine bitcoin?
    • can it be overclocked?
    • Band 28?
    • Do i need one? No. Do i want one? Yes
    • that's what she said
  • +2

    I feel the OP needs a few wacky inflatable flailing arm guys

    • Tube guys

      • Wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube men

  • +2

    OP Genuine question why would you choose this over pi zero w?

    • +5

      If you were going into production with a commercial product, you could do it with Onion hardware (whereas that's not possible with Pi Zero at the moment due to QTY limitations). Scaling down to everyday reasons: depends on the project and what your needs are (size, onboard flash, external antenna, etc). It's just another option in the maker toolbox. They both run on Linux, so there is less hurt moving between the two.

  • OP any deal on Onion Omega2+ IoT!

  • +1

    I got an Onion2+ after a post before xmas, along with the Arduino dock. The combination allows for WiFi loading of Arduino sketches direct from the standard Arduino IDE.

    I also have four spare compatible WiFi antennas from my OrangePiZeros I bought a while back. (They have ethernet, and their WiFi sucks).

    I'm really happy with the combination and recommend it. I may grab a few more bits today.

    • +1

      Why buy the 2+ ?

      Apart from the cool + in the name ;-)

      They seem to be the same spec, or am I missing something obvious? Onion2 website is no help either, just goes on about the great features of each… argh, So much marketing hype, I must be missing something.

      • the 2+ model has 128MB RAM and 32MB flash storage and a microSD card slot, everything else is the same

  • +1

    For those still using Logitech’s old Squeezebox multiroom audio, these make great client devices. Just add a USB sound card and plug into any powered speaker. Don’t know if someone has worked out a Google Assistant client for them yet but I’m sure it won’t take long.

    • For squeezebox I use a pi/pi zero with piCorePlayer. It's really good - much easier and gives a better end result than you'd likely get from installing and configuring linux/softsqueeze on this.

      • Thanks crikey I’ll give that a try!

  • Is this something I could use to make myself an internet-connected radio, similar to the Pimoroni kit you sell?

  • +1

    Can this run Mac OS X? It says Mac on it

    • +3

      MAC Address…
      Not necessarily Mac conmpatible…

      • What about Mac OS 8.1? It doesn't seem to be too powerful

        • I don't think you can run Mac OS on ARM processors.

        • You could give sheepshaver or pearpc a stab? I imagine it'd struggle on 580mhz cpu & 64mb ram though.

        • @korda:

          What about Windows ME?

        • @jared444: WinME was bad enough on x86 500mhz 64mb, can't imagine it emulated on ARM. gooby plz no

        • @korda:

          Butt Dolan, wee cam pot windows on itz and emul8 microsofs Bob's???

  • +4

    This looks to be a 2.00mm pitch on the pins - which means it won't fit a standard breadboard. Can you confirm please?

    • +3

      It won't fit directly into a breadboard - if going down that route then use M-F cables or the breadboard dock. The 2.0mm pitch keeps the board a lot smaller.

      • +1

        Thanks! Unfortunately a bit of a dealbreaker when up against a Pi Zero W now :(

        • How much are they?

        • @asa79: $15 from Core + $3 post :) ($7.50 for non-WiFi version!)

        • @picklewizard: Where are they?

  • +2

    For the material cost of the SBC, the docks are extremely expensive in comparison. Why is that?

    • +1

      Given the retail prices of Onion hardware, they are perhaps baking in a cost into the docks to keep things sustainable. Similar to other big brands out there with price-smashing offerings such as this. If you have the time, you can build your own. Otherwise, I feel one dock for many mainboards still makes this platform "worth it" compared to others in the long run.

      Well worth it.

    • Could always build your own for cheap.

      https://docs.onion.io/omega2-docs/hardware-prep-no-dock.html

  • Agreeing with the user posting above, the docks are pretty expensive for what they contain.

    Can we please have a decent deal on the docks OP?

    • Expansion docks are a little cheaper overall from iot-store.com.au if you use their cheapest postage (economy post - no tracking) vs core's cheapest postage (eParcel - tracked)

      $23.10 vs $27.90 to Perth this way.

  • +1

    Can I install age of empires on this?

  • postage for 2 Onion Omega2

    • $3 for Stamped Mail, $6.95 for tracked Air Mail

  • Does it have any BIOS?
    Can you program with UART pins?

  • how to build an android phone with this

  • Would this have the grunt to run as a torrent box? For my linux distro's, obviously.

  • So would this compete against the NodeMCU? For everyone else having grand ideas of OS etc. The pi1 had 256MB RAM and running abutting on to of Linux would bog it somewhat. I don't think 16MB is going to do you much good. Think of this more like an Arduino

    • As much as I like NodeMCU, they are a class apart. The Omega2 is a big leap forward with the MT7688 (580Mhz CPU) along with more onboard perhipheries.

  • Hey rep any chance of a deal on the Pi zero with wireless?

  • out of stock :(

    • Yep, was fun!

  • +2

    I think these guys might have a teleporter and they're not telling us - I ordered yesterday and it arrived on my desk this morning - NSW -> VIC.

Login or Join to leave a comment