Odyssey7 & Odyssey7Q Status Update

[nyvz]

I will post photos in a while of all the accessories I make.

But the power supply mod is very easy. The power supply is a wall wart with 6' of cable and the Neutrix power plug on the other end. I just cut this in half and solder a male D-tap plug on the Neutrix end and a female inline D-tap jack on the transformer side.

You can do this yourself if you are good at soldering, it does not have to be D-tap it can be any male/female combo of plug and jack that fits your battery system like XLR or 2.5mm plugs.

Just don't mess up polarity.

This is a very nice solution because it gives you a spare D-tap in the field as well as an AC power source, if you order a power cable as well. I am a big believer in spares ready to go in the field.

Sounds like this may be my best option, though I may just use a 2.1mm barrel since that is easy to convert to d-tap with a cheap adapter and it works with tons of other standard adapters and batteries since it is so common. I will definitely triple check polarity with my multimeter before plugging anything in, but the 7Q is protected against reversed polarity, right? How protected? Will it still need to be sent in for repair or does the protection just not pass reversed connections so if it gets a reversed polarity connection and then i take that out and use a proper plug will it continue to function as normal?

 

[Derek Chingwell]

So, as it stands currently, the 7Q (and the 7 later on, when released), don't have 1.33x or 2x de-squeeze as a monitoring option?

They do not have it right now but it may be on our roadmap of feature updates in firmware. The firmware update list we published recently on notes some of the major points. We have dozens of items not noted that we have plans to initiate. I'm just not certain what or when at the moment -- it's the weekend.

Thanks for the update Mitch.

I've ordered a normal '7' version LOL - I don't need the recording options (using an Epic)... I just really wanted a nice new monitor so I can stop looking at the 5" touch.

Hopefully the Odyssey 7 (vanilla flavour!) will ship soon, and you'll also be able to add 2X mode as an update at some point

 

[Mitch Gross]

Sounds like this may be my best option, though I may just use a 2.1mm barrel since that is easy to convert to d-tap with a cheap adapter and it works with tons of other standard adapters and batteries since it is so common. I will definitely triple check polarity with my multimeter before plugging anything in, but the 7Q is protected against reversed polarity, right? How protected? Will it still need to be sent in for repair or does the protection just not pass reversed connections so if it gets a reversed polarity connection and then i take that out and use a proper plug will it continue to function as normal?

If you get the polarity backward then it will just sit there. Send proper polarity afterward and it will turn right on.

If you do this mod to our power supply and mess it up somehow, the P/S and any subsequent damage is not covered by warranty.

 

[nyvz]

If you get the polarity backward then it will just sit there. Send proper polarity afterward and it will turn right on.

If you do this mod to our power supply and mess it up somehow, the P/S and any subsequent damage is not covered by warranty.

Yeah I figured, but I mean if the 7Q power internal component breaks under any circumstances it's not covered in any particular power configuration anyway, is it? If I use only convergent batteries is it covered? I mean any other situation, even with CD cables, the batteries will are 3rd party so no power issue will be covered, no? Basically we should just be extra careful since power isnt really covered by warranty at all and doing sketchy things with power cables is riskier than using off the shelf cables.

 

[Mitch Gross]

This is our basic way of saying "If you do something stupid and/or ridiculous don't expect us to fix it for free."

 

[olof]

The truth is if you make a bad cable and hook it up to a battery you could cause an explosion and fire.

Most electronic devices today have polarity and voltage protection within reason. Never hook AC to a DC device or visa versa.

What I am saying is if you don't know how to solder and make connections in some very tight spaces w/o causing a short. Don't do it. But if you are proficient at soldering and dealing with connectors then go ahead. Also always continuity test for polarity and shorts before hooking up to a battery or power supply.

I always check all connections for polarity and shorts and I use hot melt plastic to fill in connectors after soldering (I use a special black plastic and commercial applicator that makes moulded connectors) and shrink wrap in layers for strain relief where necessary. You want connections that are rock solid and will last.

If you don't know what I am writing about then don't do it, learn from someone who does, or have her/him do it for you. Or buy from a reputable manufacturer.

I ran this by "Legal" and they made me write this.

 

[Gene Sung]

Hey Nyvz, where and when did you do your pre-order?

 

[jebco]

That is an off-the-shelf 15mm rod kit from Wooden Camera. There is a similar version available from Element Technica.

Al of the ¼-20 holes are setup to accept multiples of 9mm index spacing. I haven't found any grip gadget that doesn't connect. We also have several ⅜-16 holes as well.

Jeb Johenning
Ocean Video

 

[jebco]

I expect the berkey Plate to match up to my Enduro without issue. I hope to verify this within the next few days.

Jeb Johenning
Ocean Video

 

[nyvz]

Hey Nyvz, where and when did you do your pre-order?

Pre-ordered from ZGC 10/15 and still got in the first 3 pre-orders so mine was in the first shipment. Chris at ZGC told me they have 20+ on order with CD, but I don't know how many of those are already spoken for, but I find ZGC to have pretty short pre-order lists. I think ordering popular new items from a smaller vendor is often a good idea since you'll be in a shorter line than if you order at B&H or something, but they'll all get a few right away and you're more likely to get one of the first few at a small vendor. That's just a theory though.

I've ordered my FS100 and FS700 cameras from them as well, they generally have great service and don't charge for tax or shipping and always seem to fill my pre-orders as soon as they are available, and since they are in Jersey I always receive packages the next day (my 7Q is scheduled to arrive today). I almost dont want to tell people because now they'll have longer pre-order lists...

 

[nyvz]

This is our basic way of saying "If you do something stupid and/or ridiculous don't expect us to fix it for free."

I get that, but that is a bit unclear. Could you expand at all? Are there any situations you know that would break the 7Q's power component that wouldn't be related to doing something "stupid"? Is having a 3rd party company build a cable for you significantly less stupid than building your own if you are comfortable soldering? I guess I'm looking for a specific guideline but there may not be one and maybe it's not better to set one since CD may be more generous on a case by case basis than in a blanket statement. I don't forsee it being an issue, but I have had had problems with 3rd party cables and reversed polarity in the past. I once had a 2nd AC reverse the polarity of a d-tap on set by jamming it in the wrong way and breaking some equipment, would something like that be covered? Hopefully it won't even apply to the 7Q with its reverse polarity protection but lets say it couldn't handle it for some reason. I imagine if I post about making my own cables and then screw something up it won't be covered?

 

[FDP]

I once had a 2nd AC reverse the polarity of a d-tap on set by jamming it in the wrong way and breaking some equipment, would something like that be covered? Hopefully it won't even apply to the 7Q with its reverse polarity protection but lets say it couldn't handle it for some reason. I imagine if I post about making my own cables and then screw something up it won't be covered?

I really can't believe what I'm reading here. nyvz, you probably shouldn't be making cables if you have to ask these questions! It is trivial to test for cable polarity and anyone making a cable should be doing so. If you are going to learn cable making do it on cheap, disposable items first, not your brand new 7Q! If you fry something due to a short in a cable or some other defect caused by inexperience you will have to take ownership over the f*up!

There is probably a diode on the input that prevents the wrong polarity from causing issues, but how can you expect CD or Mitch to highlight every single possible way that the power input could fail! Some idiot jamming a cable in the wrong way is clearly beyond a manufacturer's responsibility, but the fact that people are dumb enough to create these scenarios does keep engineers busy trying to make things extra-dummie-proof.

I don't mean to discourage you from making cables, but don't do it for this! Do a little research, buy a book on electronics, and try out cable making with something dirt cheap!

-FDP

 

[nyvz]

Really? What does asking questions have to do with anything? That's what forums are all about... Even the most experienced electrician (I'm not, but I'm not a compete noob) should still want to know what is covered by the warranty of his $2300 piece of equipment or any other piece of equipment...

I wasn't asking for a diagram of every possible issue and its coverage in the warranty, just trying to get a better sense of what Mitch's somewhat vague statement meant.

Of course testing polarity and continuity is quite simple but testing doesn't always guarantee against failure, nor does buying any particular type of cable or connector or buying from any particular 3rd party manufacturer, so these are all relevant questions to any 7Q owner and the whole reason warranties exist is because of these and other uncertainties. Not clear why you had such a strong reaction to my questions, FDP.

 

[cuervo]

I tend to agree with FDP, Noah. You can't expect 100% guarantee on anything, ever. If you expect that, then go buy insurance. For example, for all the safety built into the design of the O7Q, if some idiot plugged 60vAC, or some equivalent DC voltage, I'm sure the protection diode would be blown. And one can't design for every conceivable act of ignorance. At some point, a little practical knowledge is worth a million bucks.

As to your comment about polarity testing, I think it's a given that if you're making your own cables, it's foolish not to polarity test them before you plug them in. Myself, I've found a short circuit, or two, by checking every cable I've ever altered. It just goes with the territory...like wearing a seatbelt on an airplane.

 

[nyvz]

I'm confused, I feel like you guys are agreeing with me but phrasing it as though you are disagreeing with something I said. I never said I necessarily expected CD to cover any power issues at all besides manufacturer defects, most manufacturers don't, but Mitch seemed to imply they might cover certain "non-stupid" problems without going into much more detail and I was asking if there was some further information that he might be able to provide. I completely agree that you can't expect a 100% guarantee and that is why we buy insurance, and as I said I also agree you should obviously check cables whenever possible, homemade and otherwise since they are all susceptible to damage or defects.

Are you saying I shouldn't ask CD questions about its warrantee? Or that it is quite clear what is covered and maybe I am just misinterpreting? Mitch can just say "no, nothing but manufacturer defects are covered" and that would be fine, I was just asking a question to have an answer that might provide useful information to know going into my purchase of the 7Q and also determining the best power solution.

 

[cuervo]

I'm confused, I feel like you guys are agreeing with me but phrasing it as though you are disagreeing with something I said. I never said I necessarily expected CD to cover any power issues at all besides manufacturer defects, most manufacturers don't, but Mitch seemed to imply they might cover certain "non-stupid" problems without going into much more detail and I was asking if there was some further information that he might be able to provide. I completely agree that you can't expect a 100% guarantee and that is why we buy insurance, and as I said I also agree you should obviously check cables whenever possible, homemade and otherwise since they are all susceptible to damage or defects.

Are you saying I shouldn't ask CD questions about its warrantee? Or that it is quite clear what is covered and maybe I am just misinterpreting? Mitch can just say "no, nothing but manufacturer defects are covered" and that would be fine, I was just asking a question to have an answer that might provide useful information to know going into my purchase of the 7Q and also determining the best power solution.

Not really a big deal. I can't speak for anyone else, but, Its entirely possible that I've misread your question. Peace brother.

 

[FDP]

nyvz, I don't want to discourage you from learning how to make cables, or asking questions, but the question you asked made me feel that I should strongly advise you to learn a bit more about cable making and electronics before proceeding down the path you want to go. CD lists everything you need to know to make a cable for the O7Q on their website and even provides the pigtail so you don't have to crimp or pot their connector. The O7Q is a wide-input device and as Mitch said, it is tolerant to reverse polarity, this is all at the top end of what is expected in our industry, which sadly can have some pretty low standards for power electronics (thinking Red).

Cable making is definitely a good skill to pick up, but it usually takes a few hundred cables of different varieties to really GET what makes a good, reliable cable vs. something that is begging to break in unexpected ways. Soldering != cable making, and I say that from my own experience many years ago when I began with a similar mindset.

I would highly encourage you to continue down the path of learning, but don't expect a manufacturer to cover the expenses of your potential failures.

-FDP

 

[Mitch Gross]

I get that, but that is a bit unclear. Could you expand at all? Are there any situations you know that would break the 7Q's power component that wouldn't be related to doing something "stupid"? Is having a 3rd party company build a cable for you significantly less stupid than building your own if you are comfortable soldering? I guess I'm looking for a specific guideline but there may not be one and maybe it's not better to set one since CD may be more generous on a case by case basis than in a blanket statement. I don't forsee it being an issue, but I have had had problems with 3rd party cables and reversed polarity in the past. I once had a 2nd AC reverse the polarity of a d-tap on set by jamming it in the wrong way and breaking some equipment, would something like that be covered? Hopefully it won't even apply to the 7Q with its reverse polarity protection but lets say it couldn't handle it for some reason. I imagine if I post about making my own cables and then screw something up it won't be covered?

Wow, this thread took a turn into the Twilight Zone.

I really can't expand much on what was supposed to be a bit of a joke comment. While I'm sure there may be some power related problem failure you could cause that somehow would not fall under the definition of "stupid" I can't think of it at the moment. We try to engineer around these sort of things.

As for your example of an AC forcing a P-Tap in the wrong way: Definitely stupid and totally not covered.

I will reserve the right to say that if anyone out there does something so absolutely nuts that it thoroughly tickles the staff of Convergent Design and we feel compelled to nominate you for a Darwin Award, well in that case you may have earned yourself a free repair for the entertainment value alone.

* I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on TV.

 

[Mitch Gross]

Having gotten that out of my system, we provide the cable connection information in our manual and we also outline the warranty coverage in there as well. If you are vaguely competent at soldering and use our flying lead cable, then you should be just fine.

Me, I would burn myself. I always seem to find a way to burn myself whenever I solder. But the cables work fine.

 

[jshbckr]

nyvz, I don't want to discourage you from learning how to make cables, or asking questions, but the question you asked made me feel that I should strongly advise you to learn a bit more about cable making and electronics before proceeding down the path you want to go. CD lists everything you need to know to make a cable for the O7Q on their website and even provides the pigtail so you don't have to crimp or pot their connector. The O7Q is a wide-input device and as Mitch said, it is tolerant to reverse polarity, this is all at the top end of what is expected in our industry, which sadly can have some pretty low standards for power electronics (thinking Red).

Cable making is definitely a good skill to pick up, but it usually takes a few hundred cables of different varieties to really GET what makes a good, reliable cable vs. something that is begging to break in unexpected ways. Soldering != cable making, and I say that from my own experience many years ago when I began with a similar mindset.

I would highly encourage you to continue down the path of learning, but don't expect a manufacturer to cover the expenses of your potential failures.

-FDP

I have done some small tinkering with 12V DC batteries and wiring various jacks (4-pin XLR, DC barrel), as well as splicing different adapters (barrel plug adapters, FS700 power cable for my V-mount plate). What resources would you recommend for learning better cable making?