Calibration method confusing

[River-Mochi]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
SDG who is a youtube and EEVblog reviewer posted a video today on Pinecil V2 that had several issues. Here is an electronics hobby expert with a wide following, where Calibration screen is confusing which leads him to think it is broken either the firmware or the Pinecil. it could be a misunderstanding or it could be a problem with tip or something else.

Video here

Please watch the whole video, but based on several incorrect things he tells people about long versus short tips power, that calibration software doesn't work, many people in comments are reacting and saying how they are disappointed with V2. This is a matter of some misunderstandings in how to use V2 and errors from interpretation of how the menu works or how calibration works. or it could really be broken.

Describe the solution you'd like
Some of these things below I know you can not do in github but could pass along to Pine64 people.

1. Some of the mistakes could be avoided by adding some information to the Pine Store webpage. Not everyone knows about Pinecil Wiki. I would like to see a link to Pinecil Wiki on the Pine Store webpage. Would also like Pine Store to tell people to unplug Pinecil when swapping tips of different lengths. It needs to be noted that many people will never know to go to Pinecil Wiki or Github and just use the pinecil as they get it with only the information they see on the website when they buy it.

2. Pinecil V2 mini user manual is so small it is not readable at all. on front page should have huge letters with link to Pinecil Wiki, and the Github/IronOS, and to the PDF version of the User manual. It comes in such a tiny font that people will just put it aside, but if it had those 3 links in Large readable font on the front, people would have a chance to go to real instructions pages. FYI, it already includes webpage link to Github-IronOS but it is so tiny, you can not see it or any of the manual without a good magnefying glass or taking a macro photo. it could be so much better for end-users than it is now.

3. when performing a calibration, when the Offset number appears, make it more clear you are done. In SDG's video example it could be
   833 offset. Done. or 833 offset. Complete.
   that would be more clear and avoid the huge misunderstanding that he showed to whole world today.

4. SDG is not the only person who does not understand how calibration works, it is unclear to everyday people when is calibration Done or Complete?

[River-Mochi]

5. It has been pointed out that the currect directions for calibration are a little confusing. Even if you knew about Github and came here to read instructions. I know how to calibrate because I have direct communication with Ralim, but after reading this below I was more confused than before reading it. I have no idea what this is trying to say, it needs some clarity.

try to read the below it as someone brand new to Pinecil and see if it makes sense. All the sections where calibrate are mentioned in documents should be reviewed for clarity because as they stand, it may leave a new or experienced user a little confused.

A long time ago I remember re-writing this section below to make it more clear based on feedback from Pinecil users. Since my edits, someone more recently has written it differently (see below) and what is below is not easy to understand or follow.

https://ralim.github.io/IronOS/Settings/#setting-calibrate-cjc-at-next-boot

"This is used to calibrate the offset between ADC and Op-amp of the tip at next boot (Idealy it has to be done at boot, before internal components get warm.). But this setting is not permanent! It resetes after the calibration is completed (At next boot the checkbox will be unchecked!). If you need to repeat the calibration however, you have to set the checkbox again, unplug your device and let it cool down to room/ambient temperature & power it up, idealy while it sits on the desk."

• what is the intent of the above paragraph, if I understood that, I could probably rewrite this for clarity. what is meant by this is not permanent?

[River-Mochi]

I see also in Beta 2.20 Calibration is different than in older firmware.
Steps seem to now be:

1. go to advanced, press (+) until you Check a Box to calibrate.
2. use minus (-) to get back to main screen
3. unplug and plug pinecil back in
4. you see .... and then an offset number when you reboot.

• If this is the new method, then it would still be good on start up screen to show some word that says calibration is done.

• 850 offset Calibrated

• I tried just checking off the box and then unplugging and it would not calibrate, have to exit Advanced menu and get back to main screen or it doesn't calibrate on reboot.

• is there a way we could tell people with scrolling message they need to

• "Check the box, press (-) return to main screen, reboot, ...offset # appears on reboot for calibration"

• right now the way it is it's a little unclear, someone might think they did it right but don't realize unless they see ... and offset on reboot, they never calibrated.

• In the video he has an older 2.18 version of firmware so those calibration instructions would be different too.

• on V2, might want to increase typcal values of 700-1000 to a little higher on this section
  " Typical values are 700-1000 range"
  Typical range seems to be much higher on V2.

With V2 + short tip, I had offset of ~1100 on Calibration reboot. ( I tested this a few times waiting over 30 min between test to make sure handle was unplugged and cool).
With V2+ long tip, I had offset of ~1350-1415 on calibration reboot. ( tested several times, waiting 30 min between test to make sure internal handle unplugged and cool).

[Ralim]

Yes calibration has been reworked to run at boot to try and get people to do it correctly.

We can probably stop showing the number entirely if that is less confusing?

[River-Mochi]

We can probably stop showing the number entirely if that is less confusing?

Is there room to show offset number and also word Calibrated?
like 833 offset Calibrated that would be clear it was indeed calibrated.

or if not on that screen then when it's
.....calibrating now
833

[discip]

As you may have found out, SDG uses the old firmware.

3. when performing a calibration, when the Offset number appears, make it more clear you are done. In SDG's video example it could be
833 offset. Done. or 833 offset. Complete.

Is there room to show offset number and also word Calibrated? like 833 offset Calibrated that would be clear it was indeed calibrated.

or if not on that screen then when it's .....calibrating now 833

Regarding the latest firmware:
This is not strictly necessary as the .... is only displayed during the calibration and the offset value indicates that the calibration is complete.
Calibration, in turn, is only triggered when a tip is installed and the temperature delta between tip and handle is less than 10°C.

So if neither is displayed, no calibration was performed.

• what is the intent of the above paragraph, if I understood that, I could probably rewrite this for clarity. what is meant by this is not permanent?

I already created a PR for that one. #1451

[River-Mochi]

@Ralim

1. rethinking your suggestion that maybe removing Offset number from view might be indeed less confusing. say "Calibration Done! Wait 30 min if repeat needed" or something else more clear onscreen.

2. right now in beta 2.20 I see "...." to indicated something is happening. Then offset number. The "..." may be better by saying "...auto calibrating". This lets people know it's doing something versus just dots "...." it is not clear that dots relates to calibration.

3. SDG said something in comments that implied why would it keep showing large offset number if you repeat calibration? this happens to me. If I wait 30-60 min unplugged and repeat calibration (everything cool and I only touch pinecil with 1 finger to not heat handle up with hand), why is there always a large offset even if my Tip temperature is within 5 C? I did not know answer to this.

4. SDG also said in lower comments that after seeing 833 Offset number. He still had 15C off on the tip using the 119 temperature tester to check. I suggested he open a ticket here, maybe he has defective tip or something. and could diagnose this easier with him directly in a ticket.

[Ralim]

(1) Yeah I'm thinking of just removing it
(2) Sure we can
(3) Because its showing the offset. There will always be an offset between ideal and reality. A calibration replaces the previous, it doesnt refine. Offset is set to 0 before starting calibration, then we measure it, and then use that new offset value.
(4) That should be its own ticket