Request to Open Buddy3D Camera
Hi, I kindly ask Prusa to open the Buddy3D Camera (Core One) to allow usage and wifi pairing without Prusa Connect. Thanks.
I believe this is essentially an ESP32-CAM so should be rather easy.
Also not sure to where else to put this request so here it is.
RE: Request to Open Buddy3D Camera
I am not so sure it's an ESP32Cam inside. The original Buddy3D camera is a Niceboy Guardian PR1; Niceboy is a Czech company who (I believe) applies custom firmware to complete cameras made in China. The Buddy camera for the Core One is said to be the same camera without the pan/tilt mechanics.
Niceboy probably have rights in the firmware, which might stand in the way of making it Open Source even if Prusa wanted to. That does not rule out the possibility that the cameras are indeed based on an ESP32 plus OV2640 camera module. Has anybody taken one of these apart?
What I am pretty sure about is that this forum is not the right place to get Prusa's attention. You probably stand a better chance posting your request on Reddit... I have seen Prusa occasionally drop an announcement post into one of the "General" forum sections, but I have never seen them respond to anything brought up here by other users. I think this forum is "write only" for them. 😒
RE: Request to Open Buddy3D Camera
+1
RE:
It's quicker, easier,cheaper... to buy a mini camera on aliexpress and put it in. Buying buddycam was a total waste of my money. If i'd known... i'd get 2 reels of filament for the price...
I installed my own camera in the right corner of the printer. It's cheap full HD camera from aliexpress (in the range of 15-20€). Only downside is that you can't import it in prusalink, but on the other hand personally i monitor my print via Home Assistant, not via Prusalink. And, since you can't integrate buddy camera in HA it's even more money wasted...
RE: Request to Open Buddy3D Camera
Yeah, I mounted a Ring camera on top of the enclosure... however, I love the idea that the buddy3d is a refirmwared camera. I'll take Czech firmwared camera over a native Chinese one any day.
I did, eventually, breakdown and Buddy3D camera... due to its integration. What does bug me a little is that it can't do color inside the enclosure... even with the LED lights on full.
RE: Request to Open Buddy3D Camera
I'll take Czech firmwared camera over a native Chinese one any day.
Ok, i guess firmware is different, but i doubt these cameras are made anywhere else than in China... EU made camera (made from scratch) wouldn't be in the 40€ price range. And, let's be honest: firmware isn't exactly a rocket science...in fact, it's more like from a camera from sixties... like you say: B/W image, one shot per 10s... it should really be called "buddyPhoto"... today's cameras have (at least) two streams, so it could offer one stream for prusalink purposes and other one as onvif local camera, for example. But, no, you can't even connect to it's IP, since obviously it doesn't have web server running.
RE: Request to Open Buddy3D Camera
Adding extra light and waiting few minutes turn it into colored for me, however so many issues in Buddy3D Camera and presa connect like one frame only is limited by connect and cant detect issues automatically add to that no timelapse option too. and over all quality is not what I was expecting for $40 camera in 2025.
I'll take Czech firmwared camera over a native Chinese one any day.
Ok, i guess firmware is different, but i doubt these cameras are made anywhere else than in China... EU made camera (made from scratch) wouldn't be in the 40€ price range. And, let's be honest: firmware isn't exactly a rocket science...in fact, it's more like from a camera from sixties... like you say: B/W image, one shot per 10s... it should really be called "buddyPhoto"... today's cameras have (at least) two streams, so it could offer one stream for prusalink purposes and other one as onvif local camera, for example. But, no, you can't even connect to it's IP, since obviously it doesn't have web server running.