Raspberry PiZero W (Wireless) ( 2017 model)

Working great in my project, have used three so far.

Purchased to use the AV video out feature to pump thermal images out for drones via RF link. Make sure to load the correct distro for the older machine. New distro for Pi Zero W2 is not compatible. Love the zero!

Reliable. Itjust works.

Ok

I have a number of Pi Zeros and 3s - most bought pre-pandemic so I've been a bit shocked at the current prices. This was at a pretty good price for a bare board (I'd have sprung for one with a header were they not so much more). The Zero W is pretty capable for automated projects, and if you know your way around Linux the learning curve for driving relays or a camera is not too bad.

My one piece of advice is to buy the version that has the 40-pin GPIO pins already soldered in place. Putting the pins in yourself is best done if you buy the pin press (also on Amazon). They are difficult to get in without breaking them as just hand-power is usually not enough. Put a board on top of the pins & hammer in carefully from both ends if you don't have the press. Buy the version with pins already inserted for a few dollars more for no-hassle use.

Please note this is for a headless setup eg. no monitor/keyboardUsing a monitor/keyboard is easier with the Raspbian OS GUIDownload copy of Raspbian LiteUse Etcher to burn onto micro sd cardMake sure when you re-mount it to your burning-machine it popups up as bootOpen a text editor(tried Text Editor in Windows didn't seem to work right, I ended up using VS Code)Create a blank file called ssh save it and put it inside boot, it can be ssh.txtCreate another file called wpa_supplicant.confInside you put:note my country is US yours may differyour wifi security type may differ just check, I have WPA2ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdevupdate_config=1country=USnetwork={ssid="your wifi network name"psk="your wifi password"key_mgmt=WPA-PSK}Save and put this inside boot as well, it should show up as a CONF fileThen you put the micro sd card into your pi, plug it into a power source, then you will have to scan your network to see if it showed up. I used nmap, once you see it, try to ssh into it.ssh pi@the-ip-addressYou should be prompted to accept key, then type in the default ssh passwordraspberryThen you can change that with passwd and use it however as linux deviceTaken from various forums eg. raspberrypi.orgI just set mine up

This works great for a pi hole setup. You’ll need a microSD (I got an 8gb one) and a usb charger and cable. I had to place mine fairly close to my router as the Wi-Fi was super weak even from an adjacent room. Next to the router, it works great and the fact that this is a pi zero W as opposed to a wired one is unnoticeable.