Pi Zero vs Pi 3
Its always been my plan to add a Pi/Octopi solution to my MK3, and the Pi Zero was the obvious choice.. I have all the bits I need to do this and its just a matter of time before i get around to doing it.
But I have been keeping tabs on the discussions and I am starting to think that a Pi3 would be a much better choice. It wouldn't be a tidy as the Zero, but it brings infinitely more processing power...
Considering I want to use Octopi to Print, and the camera to monitor and do timelapses, the extra horsepower would be an obvious benifit.
So other than the cost, and the addition of an extra "box" and PSU.. Are there any reasons to switch with the Zero? I have to admit, i do love the idea of the Zero being part of the printer.. But just think its going to give an inferior experience which could be solved with a bit of extra money and cabling.
Anyone else got a view?
Jon
Re: Pi Zero vs Pi 3
My view - Pi 3 is a much better option. My Mk3 has one and my Mk2/S (soon to be a Mk3 also)
Re: Pi Zero vs Pi 3
My view - Pi 3 is a much better option. My Mk3 has one and my Mk2/S (soon to be a Mk3 also)
I am starting to think you are right.. I get the feeling that the Z 'works', but you have to accept its limitations. I just think we are selling ourtselves short using a low powered Pi, when £30 more would give us a solution thats much more suitable.
I think I am going to order a 3 and be done with it...
How do you connect it? Does it just literraly plug into the USB port on the printer, Or are there "header pins" that can be used (obviously not the ones designed for the Pi Zero)?
Re: Pi Zero vs Pi 3
I was in your position, purchased the Pi Zero before my MK3 ever got here, then after reading about under power I decided to go with a Pi 3 and have been really happy with it. Yesterday it paid for itself. I was printing while at work and a small part came off the bed and the printer was making spaghetti, I was able to see it and cancel the print from my desk at work.
Re: Pi Zero vs Pi 3
I was in your position, purchased the Pi Zero before my MK3 ever got here, then after reading about under power I decided to go with a Pi 3 and have been really happy with it. Yesterday it paid for itself. I was printing while at work and a small part came off the bed and the printer was making spaghetti, I was able to see it and cancel the print from my desk at work.
Then its settled.. i did exactly the same.. Bought the Zero.. Camera.. And cables, and printed all the necessary parts before even getting my Mk3..
I am going to get the Pi3 for sure.
2 quesitons
1. Do you use the same "Image" for the Zero and Pi 3?
2. How exactly does it connect.. Just a cable to the USB port? Or do you use internal 'headers'
Also.. Can anyone recommend a case that works well in this application? For my AV setup I run Kodi on a Pi and have that in an aluminum box which acts like a heat sink.. I guess thats a bit OTT for this application, so assume a printed case would be fine.
Re: Pi Zero vs Pi 3
Pi 3 straight to the USB port is the way I go
Re case, search "Prusa i3 Raspberry Pi 3" on Thingiverse. Lots of options. I use the sleeve type https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:604915
Re: Pi Zero vs Pi 3
Unless you want to mount directly to the EINSY board I would get the Pi 3. Here's the case I'm using, connected over USB: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:922740 . I plan to mount this to the underside of the table I have the printer on.
Re: Pi Zero vs Pi 3
Like others I use the USB connector. I can't honestly remember which image I used as I waffled hard between the Prusa and the stock image. I thought I used the stock image but I don't get errors during priming that others report so it leads me to think I used the Prusa image.
As for the case I used the one that mounts to the MK3 but haven't actually mounted it...
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2334119
Edit: I also power using an external adapter though I may change once directly powering from the einsy once there's more of a track record but for now I'm sticking with what definitely works.
edit edit and off topic: How did you get Kodi to run decently on the Pi? I always have trouble streaming high res shows from a Synology NAS and ended up with a small HTPC instead, it's been a couple of years since I tried Kodi on a Pi maybe things have improved?
Re: Pi Zero vs Pi 3
Like others I use the USB connector. I can't honestly remember which image I used as I waffled hard between the Prusa and the stock image. I thought I used the stock image but I don't get errors during priming that others report so it leads me to think I used the Prusa image.
As for the case I used the one that mounts to the MK3 but haven't actually mounted it...
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2334119
Edit: I also power using an external adapter though I may change once directly powering from the einsy once there's more of a track record but for now I'm sticking with what definitely works.
edit edit and off topic: How did you get Kodi to run decently on the Pi? I always have trouble streaming high res shows from a Synology NAS and ended up with a small HTPC instead, it's been a couple of years since I tried Kodi on a Pi maybe things have improved?
Cheers,. Good info... case looks ideal.
I have Kodi on Pi 2 streaming from a Synology based NAS and havnt had a single problem.. It plays everything i throw at it including H265 encoded stuff..
I use Libreelec which is a minimal OS install and its flawless.. it should fly with a Pi3... PM me if you have any specific questions.
Re: Pi Zero vs Pi 3
I have ran my MK3 with both an external Pi2 and a Zero. The only issue I have encountered that was really a good argument for the Pi2/3 is when I use the Filament Manager plugin. This plugin catalogs your spools and tracks how much filament has been used, and then will warn you if a spool doesn't have enough filament for a print. In order to do this, Octoprint has to process the Gcode to calculate how much filament is required, and will not start printing until it is done. On larger prints this can take awhile on the Zero, maxing out the single core CPU.
I opted to stick with Zero however. It is just so much cleaner, and convenient. Only way I would consider switching back to the Pi2/3 would be if I rigged up a small buck converter to tap power out of the PSU, and avoid running an extra power supply. Not having the extra wires for the power and USB has really been worth it for me. I just make sure and upload gcode in advance so it has time to process, or print off SDcard if I need to bypass Octoprint.
Re: Pi Zero vs Pi 3
Could i build an SD and the swap back and forth between a Pi 3 and Zero to try both?
Do you need to reconfigure the OS for the different Pis, or does it just work on either/both?
Re: Pi Zero vs Pi 3
Like others I use the USB connector. I can't honestly remember which image I used as I waffled hard between the Prusa and the stock image. I thought I used the stock image but I don't get errors during priming that others report so it leads me to think I used the Prusa image.
As for the case I used the one that mounts to the MK3 but haven't actually mounted it...
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2334119
I tried that case, but its mount does not line up with the holes on the MK3. Still lile the case so am going to modify it to match the holes.
Re: Pi Zero vs Pi 3
I have come up with a compromise.. My 'Kodi' setup is currently on a Pi2.. I am thinking of upgrading the Pi2, to a Pi3, then then re-using the Pi2 for Octopi.
The Pi2 won't be as fast as the 3, but still a fair bit quicker than the zero..