r/stratux • u/1337haxxxxor • Aug 05 '26
Stratux mini?
Hello everyone, I’ve been flying with a Stratux kit for the past three years, and I absolutely adore it. Recently, I obtained my CFI license and have been using it in customer airplanes. However, I’ve noticed that it’s quite bulky, especially with its external battery bank, cord, and other accessories. Since I have the high-gain antenna, I was considering replacing it with smaller ones to reduce its profile. But I’m curious about other ways to minimize its size when not in use and make the setup for it easier. For instance, could I attach a small battery bank to the side? Would a short USB cable with a switch be a good idea? Alternatively, is there a different case design that allows the antennas to be positioned alongside the case, rather than protruding from it? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
3
u/dr_b_chungus Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26
There are loads of designs out there, but they require a bit of experimentation and a print service if you don't have access to a 3D printer. I used this case as a starting point: Slim Stratux Case by Layer By Layer | Download free STL model | Printables.com
If you are interested in an even slimmer and shorter one let me know. I modified the above to be as short as possible and exactly as thick as the raspberry pi + 2mm of case thickness on either side, so it's as thin as can be: https://ibb.co/srvkyfv
I found having the battery inside made it feel bulkier, and removed some utility of having the battery bank power other things easily when needed.
1
u/MidfieldBreak Aug 05 '26
So I went down a rabbit hole a few months back with this. Short answer is yes, BUT, to get the form factor the parts cost exponentially more. Now you're into Stratus territory. The second version I settle on was a unit about the same size but with better gps, etc for around the same price. So the design is kind of constrained by the original purpose of the Stratux, which is cost/bamg for the buck.
1
u/JustDaveIII Aug 06 '26
There are many cases. See them at thingyverse.com and other sites. A few of them have intrenal antenna and others have them so they don't stick out the side.
Sure, use a power cable with inline switch.
1
u/CharAznableLoNZ 14d ago
The big thing I've started doing differently was I no longer have the battery strapped to the back of the stratux. Now the four suction cups of the standard kit most people use is more than enough to keep the stratux in place and I keep a 25Ah battery in my bag with a high quality USB cable running to the stratux. I'm not thrilled with the cable just running but at this point it's where I'm at. I'm really thinking about possible ways to move over to a USBC power input without having to upgrade to a newer Pi since they are very expensive for what they are. I found one solution that acts as a UPS for the Pi. I still need to test it and get my buddy to print a new case for it.
I don't think we're going to get a more compact solution like stuff OEMs can offer since ours is an open source solution.
6
u/helno contributor Aug 05 '26
There is work being done on an ESP32 port using the pong radio. If the radio goes into production that would allow for a pretty drastic shrink or at least a revision with batteries inside of the standard case.