This is my second build of this kit - it went together quickly (an hour?), and again, it powered up/worked on first power-up.

The documents included could be improved, but nothing major:

- explaining how to identify '+' on buzzer would be good (there's a small plus sign on side of buzzer)

- the J# connectors in build instructions don't match PCB - where's J4 in build instructions?

- maybe point out how many pins are needed for JP1-4? And explain how to break the strip into needed segments (I used nippers to 'cut' apart the strip)

- explain how J2 and J5 are to be oriented (or include a picture of completed board to show orientation)

Thanks!
Ken

Andre Luis | Sept. 1, 2023

All very good, works perfectly!

For Geoff's VT100 Terminal Kit

All items arrived well packed, the assembly manual is clear and objective, allowing a fast and efficient assembly, all the functionality proposed by the developer worked perfectly. I recommend it to everyone!!! Thanks!!!

Ken | Feb. 27, 2023

Great inplementation of the "Geoff" ASCII terminal design.

For Geoff's VT100 Terminal Kit

Received full kit w/PCB v3.2 and firmware v3.2.0.
No issues assembling. Worked perfectly on first power-up!
Of the few implementations of the “Geoff” design,
this one has by far the best, nice, uniform
character generation, and setup menus.

Nits, Suggestions:
1. Description claims “TTL or RS-232 signal levels”.
Note the signal *levels* are strictly TTL.
If you want actual RS-232 (+/- signals),
you’ll need a MAX232 or similar converter.
(I use the Sipex SP3232E)
TTL or RS-232 choice here only refers to logic inversion
(ie. Is a “1” a TTL low or TTL high)…

2. Minor: The USB-B connector could really be updated
to a micro-USB, or USB C.

3. Minor: Specs/Mouser/Digikey/etc for the mating
5V and serial pin latched connectors would be helpful.
(or include in kit :)

4. Other “Geoff” implementations have switched
to USB keyboards. The code is there.
Most modern USB keyboards have
dropped PS2 compatibility
(ie, using the old green adapter).
Fortunately, I had a stack of
old straight-PS2 keyboards in the attic.
Yes, new PS2 keyboards are cheap,
but USB would be more up-to-date.

Anyway, great kit! Recommended!

Response from Peter Hizalev | Feb. 28, 2023

Thank you for kind words!

USB keyboard support is next on my TODO list and should be fairly straightforward. The firmware is designed to abstract keyboard scan codes, which is demonstrated in experimental Color Terminal that uses USB keyboard.

https://hackaday.io/project/173682-color-ascii-terminal

Also good points for clarifying option for serial inversion and on including mating connectors for 5V and serial.

John | Sept. 13, 2022

Great device, with great flexability

For Geoff's VT100 Terminal Kit

Great design flexibility and value, good build instructions. Went together in just over an hour. Only issue - what connections are supported via J4 and J6? Can't tell from documentation. I am guessing that J4 is the RS232/TTL interface and J6 is for firmware upgrades, but can't tell that from support docs. Should be included in instructions to reduce any confusion..

Pavel | Nov. 13, 2021

Very good product with non exhaustive documentation

For Geoff's VT100 Terminal Kit

Terminal is very good (better then original Geoff's one), very easy for assembling and has worked for the first touch. The list of supported ANSI commands is unfortunately missing.

Response from Peter Hizalev | Nov. 13, 2021

Thank you! The list of supported ANSI sequences can be seen here in the source code https://github.com/petrohi/terminal/blob/8121ca94f40e7f40e53e7e188bf5afd0d014b1b7/firmware/Terminal.X/terminal_uart.c#L1532

I will compile dedicated document with a list.

William | Oct. 12, 2021

Excellent Product

For Geoff's VT100 Terminal Kit

Product in printed case:

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/715703887218212866/897556116228145182/image0.jpg

I've built the device and all is well. Was able to upgrade to the v3.0.4 firmware without problems. Had a case built from the STL's available and it all fit together well.

For the cover STL, cover1 and cover2 are a bit different.

For the user who doesn't recommend this product, must have recently watched eevblog's recent video about design. Ignore them.

Zoltan | Dec. 19, 2020

Fun, useful, high quality!

For Geoff's VT100 Terminal Kit

A great quality little kit, soldered it together in couple of hours without a problem, regardless of my low soldering skills, and worked right away. The firmware is top notch too, quite impressive. Many options, still have to find out the right combination to make it work with my 9995 SBC. But the main reason I got it is to help with FPGA hobby projects to free up space that would be otherwise be used for text-based VGA controller + memory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGSghj2WLYs&t=27s

Andy | Dec. 25, 2019

Great little kit!

For Geoff's VT100 Terminal Kit

If you are looking for an easy-to-assemble and inexpensive ascii/vt100 kit suitable for basic soldering skills then this will meet your needs. Everything you need is in this kit. Good quality connectors (Amp) included as well. You’ll also need a ps2 keyboard which are in abundance on eBay for <$10.

The terminal adapter works perfectly. Power on is instantaneous and behaves just like you would expect it to. Some of the gaming graphics are not displaying but that might be me (there is documentation on on the Geoff website explaining the supported graphics situation ) - for all regular stuff you should be fine.

Peter was very helpful and super-responsive when I had various questions ...not to mention an embarrassing soldering crisis 😎.

Currently I’ve mounted the terminal adapter on a small piece of wood but will be put in in a plastic box when I find one the right size.

.

Clyde | Nov. 6, 2019

Excellent

For Geoff's VT100 Terminal Kit

Good product. The board is a different size/layout than the original article, but after a little searching, found the layout photo at https://www.tindie.com/products/petrohi/geoffs-vt100-terminal-pcb/. Didn't really need it, but it was useful to have.

Recommendation1: Only difficulty was getting the 3.3v voltage regulator installed. The terminal pads really need to be spaced a bit further apart to prevent accidental solder bridging. There's plenty of room to do so on the board.

Recommendation2: An easily made modification (actually, just a sentence in the instructions) is to use extra strip-pins (three sets of two) in pin strip into the color pads so that different (single color - red, green or blue) can be easily changed/selected rather than solder bridging a fixed color.

It went together easily, tested out OK immediately and is now in use.

Response from Peter Hizalev | Nov. 6, 2019

Thank you for kind words! Please allow me to comment on your recommendations.

1) In the new version of PCB I changed voltage regulator footprint to be more convenient for soldering. Here is the picture of new terminal pads:

https://imgur.com/a/hi8FM0M

2) Indeed I should be providing better instructions! Kit includes pins and jumpers to make color easily configurable. Here is how it looks:

https://imgur.com/a/E8A9tgV

Blake | Sept. 24, 2019

Works great!

For Geoff's VT100 Terminal Kit

The super high quality kit went together easily and quickly. The PCB is very high quality and no problem soldering all the parts on. The only parts change I made was to the header for the Rx Tx signals, I used a locking header and polarized mating connector to ensure correct orientation. Dont forget to bridge at least one pair of pads that select the color of the displayed text! That info is left to the student to figure out, so one star off documentation (which is the website).

Response from Peter Hizalev | Sept. 24, 2019

Thanks! I am working on the v2 of the PCB, which will have jumpers instead of solder bridge for RGB selection.

Can you point me to the locking header you mentioned?

Tindie

Peter Hizalev

Overall Rating:

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

All Reviews

Nice kit, quick build, good value

All very good, works perfectly!

Great inplementation of the "Geoff" ASCII terminal design.

Response from Peter Hizalev | Feb. 28, 2023

Great device, with great flexability

Very good product with non exhaustive documentation

Response from Peter Hizalev | Nov. 13, 2021

Excellent Product

Fun, useful, high quality!

Great little kit!

Excellent

Response from Peter Hizalev | Nov. 6, 2019

Works great!

Response from Peter Hizalev | Sept. 24, 2019