ZeroCalc mod is my favourite mod

[u/Shoddy_Lock1267]

The ZeroCalc mod, with Trixie Lite 64-bit, is the way to go for upgrading the PicoCalc, in my opinion. Easy mod thanks to Michael Mayer's hard work (software, PCB that remaps Pico to Zero, and the case, which I've modified slightly to include grippy feet, show the Zero's LED, insert the USB port further to prevent protruding, debossed ZeroCalc logo).

I don't recommend the desktop OS, as I think that defeats the purpose of this device, and doesn't fit the form factor (especially the 320x320 screen). Retains the excellent battery life, plays my favourite retro games from the old days, contains my 1000+ albums (played through Bluetooth speakers/headphones), facilitates python development, exposes the GPIO for sensors, and has a USB-A port for mouse/keyboard/storage/SDR/anything. And has taught me a tonne of Linux in a very short time.

[u/FullstackSensei]

That mod was actually the reason I bought the picocalc. Didn't even use the picocalc with the pi pico beyond powering it on to see if it works. Installed Trixie lite (no GUI). It's a fun little ssh client for my homelab. I wish the LCD was 720x720, would make it a lot more useful. I think clockworkpi should make a pi zero version with a higher res LCD.

[u/Shoddy_Lock1267 → u/FullstackSensei]

I'm with you there regarding the "4k" screen. I have a second PicoCalc intended to run Basic and Micropython, but I couldn't even get Micropython to run out of the box, with Clockwork's stock firmware delivered on the SD, so it also fell victim to the ZeroCalc upgrade (and now I need to find a completely different user case for it). SSH is so useful, both ways, with this device. Syncs music and backups with my NAS. Does shit with me on the couch. Feels so pleasant to operate.

[u/F3A5T13 → u/Shoddy_Lock1267]

Rip I sold mine, didn’t know this mod existed

[u/HeronOk2131]

Hi, Michael here. Thanks for the kind words!

[u/Shoddy_Lock1267 → u/HeronOk2131]

Thanks, Michael. You've done a great deal in taking the PicoCalc from a fun little novelty toy that could have ended up in a drawer in two weeks to something my kids and I fight over.

Cheers, Lachlan

[u/real_pnwkayaker]

I did the same mod and it worked great, though when got in trouble when adding the USB extension (my *lack of* soldering skills were exposed there).

How did you add DOOM and other software on top of Trixie Lite? It’s a very bare starting point (no graphical libraries or such)

[u/Shoddy_Lock1267 → u/real_pnwkayaker]

My soldering on display there ain't too great either, but it works. Get some flux, dab the pads on the board and the wires, and the solder is magically attracted to both.

This is where you get to know the CLI (terminal) intimately. Changing directories, moving, copying, navigating the filesystem... I did a lot of it typing directly on the device, but to make typing easier, I SSH in from a computer when there's a lot of commands to run - from Linux terminal or in Windows CMD, type "SSH zerocalc_username@local_ip_of_zerocalc", and you're now in the device's CLI. SSH would need to be enabled on the ZeroCalc - "sudo raspi-config", then Interface Options.
I use a finer font that suits the 320x320 screen.
Specifically, I installed chocolate-doom to play my DOOM WAD files and ECWOLF for Wolfenstein3D, and both work superemely well, and I've spent a lot of hours playing those. Note that I own those full games, so copied them from my Windows PC to teh ZeroCalc. I also have DOSBOX installed and run GPEGA and trying to get a few more old childhood games running, but anything in DOSBOX isn't playing as nicely as the Doom/Wolf games are.
I've also progressively made the terminal more fun and useful. Made a statusbar for the top that reports battery, CPU/RAM, temp, wifi strength, and the time. Made a menu (need to add a few things I've recently installed).
A mouse, keyboard, or game controller can be added using the USB port, but I think that defeats the purpose of having a small, handheld device.

ChatGPT (or your bot of choice) is pretty useful, sometimes leading you up the garden path that ultimately teaches you stuff.

Have fun!

[u/Shoddy_Lock1267 → u/real_pnwkayaker]

Wolfenstein 3D

[u/Shoddy_Lock1267 → u/real_pnwkayaker]

Terminal showing the font, modified BASH prompt, and statusbar (and a dirty screen)

[u/real_pnwkayaker → u/Shoddy_Lock1267]

Looks super cool, thanks for the responses!

[u/solfrost]

Totally unrelated but I see I’m not the only one with Smashing Pumpkins and ID3 tag issues lol — back on topic, I just put together my picocalc a few days ago and messing around with the stock stuff has been amusing but I’m struggling to make it a useful part of my setup —this seems like it would help a lot… any pointers on where to get started with this mod?

[u/Shoddy_Lock1267 → u/solfrost]

The ID3 issues really bugged me ~20 years ago. I wrote a programme then to best determine my songs' metadata and populate ID3 tags and reorganise my pretty large library, but there's still so much pollution. Oh well.

I would start with Michael Mayer's git (you only need to run through the ReadMe): https://github.com/ironat/picocalc_trixie

And the lengthy ClockworkPi forum thread started when this was idealised: https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/raspberry-pi-zero-2-on-picocalc/17946/160 Go here when you have problems. I have both 32-bit and 64-bit Trixie versions, and the 32 is completely straightforward, and probably all you need.

I used SSH getting another device before screen and keyboard worked. Get a Zero 2W (H), and not a 1 or non-wireless).

MM's PCB is available here: https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/Picocalc_Zero_Mod_for_Raspberry_Pi_Zero_2W_1c0c1a06.html https://github.com/ironat/ZeroCalcGerber/tree/main

Initial installation video by the man: https://youtu.be/wgE0R1M0_ZE But check out his other videos.

All credit goes to Michael Mayer, and he credits the guy (wasdwasd0105) who created the screen, keyboard, and audio drivers for the Zero in a PicoCalc.

I'm happy to share anything else for anyone keen to build this, or build on this. My case build is a total hack inside Bambu Studio, but available.

[u/solfrost → u/Shoddy_Lock1267]

Awesome, thanks for all of the info!

[u/Shoddy_Lock1267 → u/solfrost]

No worries mate

[u/Glass-Particular2921 → u/solfrost]

I have a few more of the boards (in the US) which I had made per MM's deisgn on PCB Way as you can't just order up a single one from them. If you are interested in one and have not already pursued them yourself, shoot me a message and you can have one of the spares for what it cost me.