What are your favorite cheap accessories for M5Stack projects?
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@williamsmaith ah thanks - for seeing the breadth of what’s possible. Messages are key and with ESP32 sharing BLE and WIFI it really is a game changer. Let me know if you want to try the system out.
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@konacurrents Thanks, really appreciate that! You're right, being able to share BLE and Wi-Fi on the ESP32 opens up so many possibilities. The way you've built the system makes it super adaptable, and it's clear you've thought through the practical side of things. I'd be up for trying it out sometime, would love to see how it performs hands-on. Thanks again for being so open to sharing.
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@williamsmaith just let me know. I have over 700 clients using the system with a remote dog feeding application. I even have a client using eye-tracking to send messages to feed his dog (as the feeder is mounted to his wheel chair). - cheers.
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@williamsmaith said in What are your favorite cheap accessories for M5Stack projects?:
I’ve been using M5Stack modules for a few personal projects lately, and I’m starting to look for low-cost add-ons, things like sensors, displays, small batteries, or even cases. I figured it might be helpful if we all shared what’s worked well for us (and what hasn’t).
Have you come across any cheap accessories that surprised you with how well they worked? Or maybe something you found online that saved you a few bucks?
I recently stumbled on some good amazon discounts while browsing, so figured I’d check here too and see what others are using.
Would love to hear your suggestions, what’s worth grabbing, and what to skip.
For cheap-but-decent M5Stack add-ons, those AliExpress TOF sensors and 1.3" OLEDs have been shockingly solid for me—just check reviews. Skip the no-name battery packs though; voltage regulation’s a gamble. Anyone found a hidden gem lately?
we're your trusted source for high-performance stepper motor and servo motors online https://www.stepperonline.co.uk.
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@samlevy0515 I just got the $10 GPS Base 2 - and it works great. The M5Atom plugs into like all the others (QRCode, HDriver, etc). https://shop.m5stack.com/products/atomic-gps-base-v2-0-atgm336h
I've had the M5 with its display working for a few years. I'm onto other ways to share the information (over MQTT) and other apps (like iPhone apps, etc).
As for "cases" we are really into the 3d printer - and have some custom devices that house the M5 parts. We really like the small M5Atom. The amount of software that can be housed is impressive.
Look at some of our devices (eg. for Dog Feeding) mounted to a wheelchair, controller via BLE or MQTT.
-scott -
OTA Update as new compilation lifecycle
I wanted to follow up on the power of OTA (Over the Air) update. With the USB wire plugged into the M5, and uploading a 'bin' via compiling, many times it gets a hiccup, and stops. Many times redoing works, but it's frustrating.
But with the OTA - In arduino I can
sketch->Export to Compiled Binary.Then I copy that 'bin' to the cloud storage via 'ssh'.Then I have various ways of telling your M5 to grab that new OTA file. It takes a minute or so depending on the size.
More guaranteed than USB upload
So this OTA process can many times be easier than uploading via the USB cable. I even use the Serial monitor to take inputs from the user, such as perform an OTA from that new daily build file.
Also, I can update devices throughout my deployed M5 units through a similar process (sending an MQTT message to them).
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@konacurrents Agree with you! USB uploads can be frustrating when they hiccup or stop halfway. Using OTA to update by exporting the binary and then pushing it through the cloud just makes things way smoother. It’s cool that you can even trigger the update from the serial monitor or send MQTT messages to update devices remotely. That way, managing multiple M5 units becomes much easier and less stressful. OTA feels like the better, more reliable way to go. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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Has anyone found a better alternative to the M5Stack's Air Tube Pressure sensor?
The current Unit Tube Pressure (SKU:U130) appears not sensitive enough to detect someone lightly blowing into the tube. Also it doesn't have an I2C interface. I did find a Micro Pressure Sensor tube sensor with an I2C at SparkFun's website BUT it needs an input voltage of 1.8 to 3.6V to work so it's not a direct plug into M5Stack's I2C grove port.
So if anyone has found a better alternative to M5Stack's TUBE Pressure sensor with an I2C interface that can directly plug into M5Stack's I2C grove port, please let me know. Thanks!
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I’d say some of the best cheap add-ons are Grove sensors, a small OLED display, and a battery module, super handy for making M5Stack projects more fun and portable!
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Some of the best cheap accessories for M5Stack projects are Grove cables/adapters and a proto base for quick circuit hacking, plus low-cost I²C sensors like the BME280 or MPU6050 for environment and motion tracking. PIR sensors, IR modules, and rotary encoders add useful inputs, while WS2812B LED strips or tiny I²S speakers make projects more fun and interactive. For portability, a simple 18650 battery holder or even a small solar panel keeps things running on the go. Most of these parts cost just a few dollars each, making them great bang-for-buck add-ons.
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@Jennyrich789 Good stuff. I've been integrating a lot of those types of sensors, and I use the Tailbat for the battery. We are centering all our work around the M5Atom now, such a powerful computer.
My biggest challenge is getting the IR and RF to work. I finally got volume to my TV to work (which was IR), but then these new remotes use RF for the rest.
If anyone has a good approach to getting these to work, learning the commands, etc. That would really help me out. I have disabled users that could really use this driven from my M5Atom.
