It is not a major problem, as I have demonstrated in a couple of sections. You can use libusb or any other serial port access program to communicate with the KM003C and create a wrapper suited for your particular use-case.
That said, one aspect I should have mentioned in the conclusions is related to the ability to update the firmware independent of the closed-source Windows program. Coupled with better API documentation, that would basically make the device pretty functional without having to rely on the closed-source program.
Since you posted a screenshot of the code for connecting and pulling out the relevant power data, are you OK with people using it? Are you planning on posting it on github or somewhere?
Absolutely! Code is free for anyone to start off with as the base point for their own programs.
My github account has been idle for a few years now. I will probably upload a refined version of the code that appears in this review later this year when I get time. The only reason I didn't post the code as text is to avoid making the review appear like a StackOverflow post :)
You could have saved me from going straight to the last page by putting the price at the top of the article. At $10 I would have snapped your hand off, at $110 it's a definite no.
I think it would be impossible to hit $10 for this type of product. Even BOM cost for microcontroller + 5 ADCs would easily exceed that (even if they are bought in 1Ku quantities). Need to add software development and distribution costs. I would imagine break-even is itself around $40 - $50.
Not sure I agree that 50$ puts it out of reach of "hobbyists". I'm a hobbyist and own a oscilloscope, and a number of other test tools more expensive then 50-100$. If all your doing is seeing what voltage your usb battery is negotiating with your switch or steamdeck then yes, this device is overkill. But if you building anything that's using PD or other usb-c features this could be extremely useful.
I'm unlikely to build anything anytime soon that would require the features this thing supports but I still want one! ;)
The 50V and 6A are independent of each other. USB-PD 3.1 goes up to 48V / 5A, but other fast charging protocols can differ. For example, SuperVOOC 2.0 operates in the 3-10V / 0.1 - 6.5A range [ https://www.oppo.com/content/dam/oppo/en/mkt/newsr... ].
The KM003C supports a long list of non-USB-PD fast charging protocols, and it looks like 50V and 6A are the maximum it supports for the voltage and current on the VBUS line.
And that gets you one charger; we have at least one charger in every bedroom plus a couple on every desk, and spending $110 once on a device which lets you determine which $20 charger it is reasonable to buy a dozen of makes reasonable sense.
This device is massive overkill for testing your portable USB battery or USB wall wart. You can do the same thing for 20-30$ if that's all you need it for. But this device will do far more then simply tell you if the battery can output 15 or 20v and at what amperage it can do so.
It's like saying an oscilloscope is overpriced because you can use a much cheaper multimeter to see if your home outlet is putting out the correct AC voltage.
Anything that lets you escape Google's revolting, mustache-twirling, sticky-fingered clutches is a good thing. It's always a pity to see the US sit idly by while Google feeds the population free candy in exchange for the entirety of the nation's personal data. At least the EU, problems noted where relevant, acts against disgusting data fetishist activity through GPDR enforcement that has teeth. Were it not for sucking from Google's four coloured teats at all levels of governance, the company could have been broken apart by now along. But who am I to complain? You let Elon Musk, Justin Bieber, and that sensationalized scammer-philantropist MrBeast all obtain fame while polluting the world for everyone by driving one and only one person with no cargo whatsoever in a enormous pickup truck or SUV. It's the US after all.
Is there any (affordable) hardware product available to monitor USB-C bandwidth so we view bandwidth of products such as web cams / VC systems / SSD's to PC's? I understand Crystal Disk Mark can work with a SSD, but this is not the only device I'd like to validate.
I own the KM003C since around 1 Year... And bought it on AliExpress for less as 50€.
Wondering why this review comes so late tbh.
However, this thing is really great, i have others like the CT-3, which is great either!
Tbh, the only difference is EPR, for example if i measure my MacBook Pro with the ct-3, it will limit the charging to 100W. No matter what you do, your MacBook will never charge higher as 100W
If i use the KM003c, the MacBook will charge at full 140W.
But for everything below 100W there is literally no different between the ct-3 and KM003c... Just that the one has usb-a and the other usb-c...
They are both very precise. Actually they work really great!
Would i recommend to buy one of those? No! Why? Because you literally use it once you buyed to play with and after some days you will never need it and forget where it even is.
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ballsystemlord - Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - link
It's unfortunate that the KM003C is windowz only closed source.ganeshts - Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - link
It is not a major problem, as I have demonstrated in a couple of sections. You can use libusb or any other serial port access program to communicate with the KM003C and create a wrapper suited for your particular use-case.That said, one aspect I should have mentioned in the conclusions is related to the ability to update the firmware independent of the closed-source Windows program. Coupled with better API documentation, that would basically make the device pretty functional without having to rely on the closed-source program.
ballsystemlord - Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - link
Oh, I see.QChronoD - Wednesday, July 12, 2023 - link
Since you posted a screenshot of the code for connecting and pulling out the relevant power data, are you OK with people using it? Are you planning on posting it on github or somewhere?ganeshts - Thursday, July 13, 2023 - link
Absolutely! Code is free for anyone to start off with as the base point for their own programs.My github account has been idle for a few years now. I will probably upload a refined version of the code that appears in this review later this year when I get time. The only reason I didn't post the code as text is to avoid making the review appear like a StackOverflow post :)
TrevorH - Thursday, July 6, 2023 - link
You could have saved me from going straight to the last page by putting the price at the top of the article. At $10 I would have snapped your hand off, at $110 it's a definite no.ganeshts - Thursday, July 6, 2023 - link
I think it would be impossible to hit $10 for this type of product. Even BOM cost for microcontroller + 5 ADCs would easily exceed that (even if they are bought in 1Ku quantities). Need to add software development and distribution costs. I would imagine break-even is itself around $40 - $50.ads295 - Saturday, July 8, 2023 - link
+1It's not for "hobbyists" as mentioned in the article.
Bp_968 - Thursday, August 3, 2023 - link
Not sure I agree that 50$ puts it out of reach of "hobbyists". I'm a hobbyist and own a oscilloscope, and a number of other test tools more expensive then 50-100$. If all your doing is seeing what voltage your usb battery is negotiating with your switch or steamdeck then yes, this device is overkill. But if you building anything that's using PD or other usb-c features this could be extremely useful.I'm unlikely to build anything anytime soon that would require the features this thing supports but I still want one! ;)
DanNeely - Thursday, July 6, 2023 - link
"The KM003C can support up to 50V / 6A (full USB-PD 3.1 specifications, with EPR up to 240W)."Unless this device is going significantly beyond USB-PD levels I believe this should read 5A not 6.
ganeshts - Thursday, July 6, 2023 - link
The 50V and 6A are independent of each other. USB-PD 3.1 goes up to 48V / 5A, but other fast charging protocols can differ. For example, SuperVOOC 2.0 operates in the 3-10V / 0.1 - 6.5A range [ https://www.oppo.com/content/dam/oppo/en/mkt/newsr... ].The KM003C supports a long list of non-USB-PD fast charging protocols, and it looks like 50V and 6A are the maximum it supports for the voltage and current on the VBUS line.
lucaB75 - Friday, July 7, 2023 - link
55-110 bucks ? Come on , dont waste time on these reviews, we need real news not bs (highly)overpricedThreska - Friday, July 7, 2023 - link
"Despite this premium pricing, we believe that the KM003C should be part of every USB-C power user / developer's toolkit."Or people who regularly buy questionable chargers and cables.
meacupla - Friday, July 7, 2023 - link
With the way this tester is costing, you might as well buy from a reputable brand to begin with.I am pretty sure you can get an Anker USB GaN charger, with Anker 100W USB cable for $55~110.
TomWomack - Friday, July 7, 2023 - link
And that gets you one charger; we have at least one charger in every bedroom plus a couple on every desk, and spending $110 once on a device which lets you determine which $20 charger it is reasonable to buy a dozen of makes reasonable sense.TheinsanegamerN - Monday, July 10, 2023 - link
If you have enough expensive power hungry devices that you have to have 100w charging in every room, just buy decent chargers and be done with it.Bp_968 - Thursday, August 3, 2023 - link
This device is massive overkill for testing your portable USB battery or USB wall wart. You can do the same thing for 20-30$ if that's all you need it for. But this device will do far more then simply tell you if the battery can output 15 or 20v and at what amperage it can do so.It's like saying an oscilloscope is overpriced because you can use a much cheaper multimeter to see if your home outlet is putting out the correct AC voltage.
PeachNCream - Saturday, July 8, 2023 - link
Anything that lets you escape Google's revolting, mustache-twirling, sticky-fingered clutches is a good thing. It's always a pity to see the US sit idly by while Google feeds the population free candy in exchange for the entirety of the nation's personal data. At least the EU, problems noted where relevant, acts against disgusting data fetishist activity through GPDR enforcement that has teeth. Were it not for sucking from Google's four coloured teats at all levels of governance, the company could have been broken apart by now along. But who am I to complain? You let Elon Musk, Justin Bieber, and that sensationalized scammer-philantropist MrBeast all obtain fame while polluting the world for everyone by driving one and only one person with no cargo whatsoever in a enormous pickup truck or SUV. It's the US after all.Fury13 - Tuesday, July 11, 2023 - link
Is there any (affordable) hardware product available to monitor USB-C bandwidth so we view bandwidth of products such as web cams / VC systems / SSD's to PC's?I understand Crystal Disk Mark can work with a SSD, but this is not the only device I'd like to validate.
Ramalama - Saturday, July 22, 2023 - link
I own the KM003C since around 1 Year...And bought it on AliExpress for less as 50€.
Wondering why this review comes so late tbh.
However, this thing is really great, i have others like the CT-3, which is great either!
Tbh, the only difference is EPR, for example if i measure my MacBook Pro with the ct-3, it will limit the charging to 100W.
No matter what you do, your MacBook will never charge higher as 100W
If i use the KM003c, the MacBook will charge at full 140W.
But for everything below 100W there is literally no different between the ct-3 and KM003c...
Just that the one has usb-a and the other usb-c...
They are both very precise. Actually they work really great!
Would i recommend to buy one of those?
No! Why?
Because you literally use it once you buyed to play with and after some days you will never need it and forget where it even is.
Cheers