Is there a simple OpenBCI kit for newbies?

edited March 2016 in General Discussion
Hello
I am new here.  I am just interested in getting a low cost EEG.   I was going to buy a Neurosky headset but I read some bad reviews and I started reading about OpenBCI.  I am wondering, is there a simple kit I can get to put together my own EEG device?   I have been reading this website and I don't really see some simple instructions on how to get started.   I am fairly technical (I know how to solder; I install solar panels for a living).  I am interested only for meditation and biofeedback purposes, so I can learn how to maximize alpha brain waves.    If you think I'm in the wrong place please let me know what you think about Neurosky or if you think there is a better low-cost unit I should look at.
thanks!
gary in vermont

Comments

  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA
    Gary, hi.

    The OpenBCI Ganglion will be out this summer. $100 for 4 channels. 

    If you are looking for solder yourself kits, I think Olimex has OpenEEG boards. They also sell assembled units.

    The Muse headset has a good reputation, and can be used both with their meditation software, and with 'neuromore', a language where you can build your own neurofeedback protocols.


    William

  • thank you William!  I will wait for the Ganglion to come out.  it sounds great.  I have a couple questions:

    If I get the Ganglion and the gold electrodes... then how would that connect to a computer and where would I get the software I need to see/record my brainwaves?

    On the instructions for the electrodes it says to use paste to adhere to the scalp.  does that mean I'd have to shave that portion of my head?  do you think there will be some kind of hardware available to hold the electrodes in place?

    Lastly, will there be instructions to walk someone like me through all this?  If help is needed with this, I am a technical writer.  I could possibly help with documentation.  It might be good to have my perspective as someone who doesn't  know that much about it but is experienced as a technical writer.

    Thanks
  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA
    Gary, hi.

    > connect to a computer

    The Ganglion uses Bluetooth to connect to your computer. So any modern computer (or mobile) will be able to receive the data. The OpenBCI V3 board used a 'dongle' for the wireless transfer, but Ganglion will not need that.

    The OpenBCI GUI software is described here,

    http://docs.openbci.com/tutorials/01-GettingStarted

    Try searching on the following terms (search box lower right column) for other software packages that can process OpenBCI data: neuromore, BrainBay, BioEra, OpenViBE, LabStreamingLayer, Python, MATLAB, etc.

    > shave my head

    For cup electrode tutorial, see,

    http://openbci.com/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/176/placing-electrode-sensors-on-the-scalp

    The Ultracortex headset is another option. Yet another way to go are the dry sensors from FRI described on the following thread. These are held on with velcro bands:

    http://openbci.com/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/138/buying-dry-active-electrodes

    > walk through

    See,

    http://docs.openbci.com
    http://www.autodidacts.io/tag/eeg/
    http://eeghacker.blogspot.com

    Best regards,

    William


Sign In or Register to comment.