ThreeDJ16 Posted January 28, 2009 Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 Well, it looks like the Guru folks have finally came out with their model that compares with the Stoker. Here is a little bit of information on it. http://www.thebbqguruforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=593 -=Jasen=- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdbower Posted January 28, 2009 Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 Very interesting! A USB port is nice in that you could feasibly include a lot of different drivers (for example, an Ethernet interface or reading a cook profile off a USB memory stick or even just powering a USB grill light), but I'd much rather see a native Ethernet port and/or WiFi. Then again, if they can interface with my EVDO USB modem that would be very interesting indeed. It's also not quite as expandable as the Stoker with only two cookers and two food probes (or maybe one cooker and three food probes?) but that should be enough for most people. All they really need is an open source software architecture so they can let their customers come up with all sorts of neat utilities and we'll be all set Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conodo12 Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Thanks for the link DJ - That's pretty slick stuff they have going on at the BBQ Guru! It will be interesting to see where they set the price on this unit. This will no doubt be the new big dog on the block, but will it bring down the price on their other powerdraft devices?? Guess we will see.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryR Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 It will be interesting to see what kind of software will be delivered with it. In my opinion its Amir's Stokerlog that makes Stoker such a great product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syzygies Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 I'm disappointed that they're discontinuing the Pit Minder E-temp. I actually downsized to this, giving my fancier guru to a friend because I actively prefer the simplicity of twisting a dial, setting a temp, and that being the whole story. I am not a Luddite. I've built many computers from scratch, and designed simple circuits such as a current mirror that can charge 8 AA cells from an iPod power supply, getting by with only 0.1 volts overhead. So I'm not afraid of complexity. I just think that complexity isn't needed in a pit controller; nothing beats a simple dial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firemonkey Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 I rely on a dial as well, but it is the wooden one thats attached to the draft wheel on the lower damper of my KK I would like to see the procomm get an update, with the Aluminum waterproof case, and some sort of network connectivity. Wireless around the house, networked when not, and loogin of the cook all under one housing. Now THAT would be the complete package! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeDJ16 Posted February 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2009 Hopefully soon I can give some more details on the CyberQ II after some hands on testing. Glad I recently upgraded to a wireless N network. Very anxious to know if it will be possible to trend like with the Stoker. I am sure Whizzy will have a full review for us soon too. -=Jasen=- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mguerra Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 WiFi For you Mac people, the Airport Express unit has a USB port so you can probably wirelessly network the Cyber Q to your home network, then access it from any computer in the house, or from any computer anywhere using MobileMe! You would need to protect the Airport Express from the elements, but that should be an easy rig. The Airport Express unit can be used with Windows. For those not familiar with Airport Express: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB321 ... MjE0NDc0OQ It is a little two way radio using 802.11 technology to connect wirelessly to your network. It has a 1/8" audio jack, USB port, and an Ethernet port. I have them scattered all over the house, connected to powered speakers, for wireless whole house audio. I also have one connected to a printer in my office, so I can print from any computer in the house wirelessly. (Of course now we have printers with 802.11 built in that don't need the Airport Express.) Check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdbower Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Something I haven't quite been able to figure out about the CyberQ is what type of USB support it will have. A lot of people (myself included) have assumed it will be like a newer version of the Stoker and act like a small embedded computer with a robust set of drivers and an IP stack - effectively acting like a USB master device. This would probably mean that it should have a "Type A" USB connector on it and a special USB A-A crossover connector of sorts to talk to a laptop: If it has the Type B connector it's more likely that a lot of USB dreams will be squashed and all it can do is create something like a virtual serial port on a laptop. This would make it more of a dumb slave device and mean that you'd need an attached computer to do a lot of the interesting stuff but with new laptops available for a few hundred dollars that can have a recipe program and all sorts of other features this isn't necessarily a show-stopper. Of course, a connector is just a hardware design choice and it's possible to have either type of implementation with either connector type. Either way I'm curious to see what the specs are one it's released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conodo12 Posted March 13, 2009 Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 I was all set to bet money that the CyberQ II would have an "A" type receptacle. That would accommodate the "A" Type plug that is most commonly used. However, after carefully reading BBQ Bob's reply posted here: "We are working with 30-40 ft. USB to Mini USB cables for a wired connection." It appears that the connector at the bottom of the CyberQ II will be a mini-usb receptacle. That may make things a bit more challenging when trying to create a wireless connection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeDJ16 Posted March 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Bob posted more info today...sadly, it looks like the CyberQ will be letting a lot of us down on the connectivity/internet control possibilities. But at least it is a better way of managing the CyberQ settings and it seems to do trending. Maybe they will revise it soon. http://www.thebbqguruforums.com/viewtop ... =1564#1564 -=Jasen=- Edit...I guess maybe he misspoke on his first post on the thread. In it he clearly states the ability to view/control the pit over the web. But in his latest post, he mentions it will not have web viewing/control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphoran Posted March 18, 2009 Report Share Posted March 18, 2009 So you'll have to use PC anywhere or remote desktop to gain control from the net, tying up two computers. It can be done, but is a kluge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeDJ16 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2009 Manuals are out. http://www.thebbqguruforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=610 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conodo12 Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 Thanks Jasen - I wish they would have solicited a little help from their user base - I know an engineer that could have put the CyberQ II software on an embedded web server. This would have added very little to the size of the unit (if at all) and the software would be a web-based client accessible without jumping through any hoops. A touch more work and WiFi could have been built in too! Just the same, I truly wish the best for the BBQGuru guys. They are a great bunch and I enjoy their products - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
