I tried finding Hidden Gems on AliExpress AGAIN! (Part 7)

You can get the featured products here: (affiliate links)

In this video we will be having a closer look at 6 different products I got from Aliexpress. Aliexpress is famous for featuring the newest products/ICs when it comes to electronics but finding those can be a bit difficult. So I tried finding the hidden Gems not only electronics related but in general what I think could be useful. Let's get started!

Websites that were shown/used during the video:

Thanks to Rohde & Schwarz for sponsoring this video.

0:00 Weird Product Descriptions
0:46 Intro
1:34 IPad LCD & Driver Board
4:21 USB-C Connector
5:55 Long Distance Wireless Charger
8:19 Wire Twister Tool
9:46 Bluetooth Beacon
11:30 Adjustable Power Supply
13:07 Verdict

[BestofBadminton]

As someone fluent in Mandarin, I believe black technology is a direct translation from Chinese which is supposed to translate to something similar to "secret technology" or "special weapon" in the case of games/sports.

[ExploringNew]

This guy will never run out of videos thanks to aliexpress 😂

[ryborg]

Beacons like that need to be used with multiple gateways, and you move the beacon within the system rather than move your phone around. Home assistant can be set up to do useful presence detection in rooms if you carry a beacon like this.

[ryanm]

I'm glad you mentioned the potential issue with the twisted connection: heat cycling.

In the U.S., this type of connection would not pass inspection. Electrical connections must be done by mechanical means (wire nut, compression, wago, screw, etc.). This, on its own, is not mechanical means.

Sure, you could throw a wire nut on the end of it and be compliant, but you're still royally screwing over the next guy that has to work on it. This much twist on solid wires can weaken the copper, causing it to break in half when you try to undo it. That's fine when you have 20" of wire sticking out, but most of the time, you cannot afford to make the wire any shorter than it already is.

[richfiles]

I built a custom dual panel ultrawide mini monitor for my workbench using a pair of those iPad LCDs. Put it on a sliding rail under my top shelf, and used a GoPro handlebar mount to get a tilt and swivel for it. It's combined 4096x1536 is a high enough resolution to show detailed schematics and diagrams, but not very tall, so it doesn't obscure the workspace below. I used a cable chain to guide the power and video cables to the PC at the side of the desk. Even if just using it to play youtube videos to pass the time while working, I could slide it to the side and rotate it to face me. It was perfect! The LCDs and drivers, the GoPro mount, the cable chain, and even the screws all came from AliExpress. The slide rail (closet door slide), aluminum U channel (for the frame), and the polycarbonate (screen protector) all came from the local hardware store. The plastic used to close up the back was taken from some salvaged Gamestop poster holders. It was a great project!

[spammeatwill]

„Say goodbye to bondage“ 🤣 those translations are the best of all.

[TheOfficialOriginalChad]

Quick note on the USB video function: It takes a DisplayPort signal, so the USB device must support USB DisplayPort

[BertNielson]

Not gonna lie, it's fun just browsing the site to see what's available. It's even more fun to have the products reviewed by a knowledgeable maker. Thank you!

I was also thinking about getting that mini screen. The LCD panels are sourced from older iPad replacement screens as I understood, so no wonder why they look very good.
But in the end I've got a used older 4:3 TFT LCD screen. It was even cheaper and was good enough for my need.

[Kalvinjj]

Came across that wireless charging a few months ago when I wanted one, thankfully I got myself the KPON branded one instead (a hexagon shaped one), it works perfectly here, 10W charge, comes with the wall adapter (requires a QC 2.0 12v 18w one at least), the relay coil and even an alignment tool. Pretty nice device, on my 18mm MDF desk it doesn't need the relay coil and works with just the sticker to "target" the phone. More expensive but considering it actually works, would say it was worth it.
Efficiency is likely quite bad as I would expect of not only wireless charging but long distance one at that, the phone heats up a bit more through it's use than the cheapo short distance pad I use normally, but it really does it's job on my desk.

Couldn't trust that "say goodbye to bondage" description but it's the best description I've read in years when searching for that type of product.

[XLessThanZ]

I found a similar power supply on Amzon for a similar price, but was let down when orders got mixed up and I got a heating pad and arthritis glove instead🙃. This turned into a mixed blessing as I do a lot of indoor bouldering and my finger joints get a little sore. The arthritis glove turned out to be great for that. Eliminates most of the pain almost instantly. Anyway, I do want to get the power supply as it could be useful for random projects. I'll see how AliExpress goes...Thanks👍🏽

[sepposyXIV]

The ad segment reminded me of an old adage: the different between analogue and digital electronics design is that the people designing analogue circuits know when they are making a radio transmitter.

[bens]

I salvaged an ipad 4 screen a few years ago and recently ordered basically the same controller board you feature here. Hopefully it will work as good as it did for you. I think I will combine it with an SBC to make a Batocera console. Or possibly add in an SDR dongle to make a standalone SW radio. I look forward to seeing your project ideas for this device.

[TonyOstrich]

For the wire twist tool, even before you mentioned the reliability over time, I was thinking adding some solder with a torch and plumbing solder would make that connection very reliable.

[Ramdaron]

I bought the same beacon 3 months ago. I hung it on my keychain and integrated it into my homemassistant via ESP32 (esphome bluetooth proxy). This allowed me to set up automations to turn the lights on/off and trigger my robot vacuum to clean.
I think this beacon is a good solution instead of using a phone with wifi or a smart watch with bluetooth. I don't have to wait for my phone to connect to wifi for the light to turn on (which can take a few minutes). I save the watch's charge because the discoverable mode is turned off. At the same time, with my esphome and beacon settings, the maximum delay for turning on the light does not exceed two seconds, and the CR2032 charge is still more than 90%.

[c.mcdermo]

Those orange lever-lock connectors are the best thing ever, a little dielectric grease and its perfectly weatherproof and takes a LOT of force to separate the connection

[RubenKelevra]

You can use the Bluetooth beacon with ESP32s. They can be placed in all rooms as receivers and the signal with the best signal strength then "wins" :)

Perfect to track pets for example. Say if they like to hide or if you want to unlock the cat door for them if they come close....

Or be reminded to let them in if they are close to the door :)

[firstmkb]

At 6:59 you mentioned it being impossible to hide a wireless charger in a drawer. You can cut a recess for the device from inside the cabinet or under a desk which will let you put the device close to the surface of the desk. Cut the recess most of the way, leaving 3mm thickness of your surface. Thinner is better for charging, but thicker is better for strength.

If you don’t have tools to cut the recess, you can cut all the way through then laminate a new surface (like kitchen counter material) on top.

[FPIZZA]

You have a superpower. I just want to build a peripheral with an LED that lights up when I get a computer alert. This stuff you’re doing is black magic to me.

[jonathanm]

I LOVE this series. On Scott's recommendation, I bought and included in a project, some capacitive touch fingerprint sensors. Keep them coming, and thank you!! 😍😍