AP-16

[ryagl]

Do you have any idea when you think that the AP-16 will be ready for purchase and is the ap-8 being dc'd.

Ryan

[JonnyMac]

We have an idea, but are not going to say as that will lead to a bunch of, "Is it ready yet?... is it ready yet?... is it ready yet?..." e-mail <grin> and if we slip a bit (as we have already with so much in our development hopper) it will just disappoint people.  If you need audio before we can deliver the AP-16 then we'll help with another vendor's product (getting connected, that is).

[BigRez]

So the other part of the question... the AP-8... it's not available now but will it be available again?  Sorry, don't mean to be a  pest, but need to know if I should wait for it to come back in stock.

[JonnyMac]

We've been working with brokers to find the chip we need, but so far the prices on the chips exceed the price of the SX!  So... we're leaving it as in the store but out of stock at the moment, but after some really messy dealings with chip brokers I'm not holding out a lot of hope that we'll be able to make any more AP-8s.

The AP-16 design, of course, uses a new (which means available) audio recorder, has more space (up to four minutes at 8kHz, 2:40 at 12kHz), and a much bigger amplifier.  We appreciate everyone's patience.

[davisgraveyard]

Noticed is been a couple of months since the last update.  Just wondered if there was any news on the AP-16?

[JonnyMac]

Not yet; our efforts have gone toward the EZ-8.

[davisgraveyard]

I know you don't want to commit to any date.  But should I plan on not being able to use a AP-16 for a prop in 2009?   I am working on another 3-axis skull that I want to use with the EZ-8 and/or Prop-SX  and am wondering if I should use the uMP3 again or plan for the AP-16?   

The problem with the uMP3 is the non-standard cable and the serial setup with the PC and NO AMP.  If I use the uMP3 again I'll have to incorporate an AMP with the prop as well. 

Don't need an exact date.  Just want to know if it will be availble for 2009 season or not.  I'd probably need it by late August early September  in order to use it.   If you're thinking that's likely not going to happen I'll   plan on the uMP3 again.

[ryagl]

Please don't get mad for someone asking again, but it's getting very close to my haunted house date < 5 weeks and I need to know if there will be AP-16's available by then.  Just need to know yes or no.  I don't mean to pester, but I need the audio for my prop.  If the answer is no, what other audio board do you suggest.

thanks

[JonnyMac]

Probably not -- so you should take that as "No."  While we have recently solved some really difficult problems (related to poor documentation from Windbond/Novotron for their ISD17240 in SPI mode) we won't have time to get any appreciable units built before Halloween.  Our lesson learned (as with the EZ-8): we will no longer discuss what's in our design pipeline until it's in production queue and nearly ready to ship.

You have choices, of course, and you can tell what our customers are using based on the sub-forums in the Audio section: Cowlacious or Rogue Robotics, depending on your needs, are the two companies we tend to recommend.