A detailed description of the poll can be read in the blog.

 

Summary: Because of changes in the functionality of Bricklets we will be able to change the current connector to a new one that is more user friendly.

 

We see two possible scenarios:

 

Scenario 1

 

* The connectors remain the same for all of the building blocks.

* The normal 10-pole to 10-pole Bricklet cable is compatible to the new and old generation of Bricklets.

 

Scenario 2

 

* The connector on the new co-processor Bricklets is a 7-pole JST GH.

* There are two Bricklet cable variants: 10-pole to 10-pole for the old Bricklets and 10-pole to 7-pole for the new generation of Bricklets.

* After all Bricklets are converted (perhaps in 3 years) we will be able to change the connectors of the Bricks to the new 7-pol variant.

* After that we only need 7-pole to 7-pole cables for the whole system.

 

In both scenarios the old Bricklets and the Bricklets of the new generation are completely compatible to each other and the old Bricks.

 

What do you prefer?

It would be interesting to know what the main reason for you is why you want or you don't want the new connector. Please post it.

i am still rather new to tinkerforge so not sure if my input is that important.

The new proposed connector does look more robust and as you guarantee the compatibility i can imagine that moving to the new 7-pin is a good thing.

As i already had my issues with bent pins :-)

I broke one of my master brick pins only last week so I'm 100% behind the new connectors. Given you are saying it'll all be completely compatible and far superior connectors then it's a no brainer - switch to the new connectors.

As a person who have over 1K Euro of TF bricks and bricklets embeded into the smart house. 1 definitely for keeping the old connector. I often have cables running 2 meters from the breakout box with the MasterBrick to the temp or luminosity senso in the wall. Cant imagine to be forced to change those in 3 years timeframe.

As a person who have over 1K Euro of TF bricks and bricklets embeded into the smart house. 1 definitely for keeping the old connector. I often have cables running 2 meters from the breakout box with the MasterBrick to the temp or luminosity senso in the wall. Cant imagine to be forced to change those in 3 years timeframe.

 

So your fear is that in 3.5 years one of the old Master Bricks breaks and you can't get them anymore so you would have to replace the cables?

 

I don't think this will be a problem, we will still sell Master Bricks that are compatible to the old generation of Bricklets as long as we can get the parts.

I also have many hundreds of euro's of tinkerforge stuff, but I'm 100% in favor of moving forward. Even if that brings some short term inconvenience. The current connectors are a weak point in an awesome system.

This is a big coincidence, just yesterday I had some Bricks in my hand and thought that the new JST GH would be a perfect fit for Tinkerforge. I know the JST GH from my Drone and I love them!

I am deeply committed to the new connector.

One thing not discussed is what happens with new 7-pole Bricks and old bricklets - will there be any way to create compatibility or will the old bricklets not have a migration path forward?

Hi y'all, I am completely for the new connectors, as I broke several of mine already. Also, I am working with students and I also give them parts to take home and experiment. They broke a few as well. A weak spot that must be solved!

 

Great work!

Nicolas