RPi Power Gadget - UcPi

IanCanada recently released a new gadget called UcPi.

It's basically a supercap power buffer for the RPi. It follows a to me new approach - I just called it "HAB" -- Hardware Attached to Bottom. To accomplish it IanCanada makes use of spring contacts to connect to the soldered GPIO power pins at the bottom of the PI board.

Over at github you'll find the manual that also lays out this or that application:

https://github.com/iancanada/DocumentDownload/blob/master/UltraCapacitorPowerSupply/UcPi/UcPiManual.pdf

Audiophonics sells the product:

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/single-board-computers-et-hats/ian-canada-ucpi-universal-ultracapacitor-power-supply-board-for-raspberry-pi-p-16717.html

I do use cap buffers to improve the RPi power rails for years with good results.
Therefore I consider the UcPi a promising gadget. However. @ $/€79 plus feet on top I consider the pricing a bit steep.

Further it seems to take a while to get the supercaps charged, which might make operation of the module slightly annoying, especially if you don't run an AlwaysOn system.

Beside that it's recommended to use a quality PS for charging. Another argument that weakens the UcPi proposition. Of course - the lack of a case is another bummer.

Anyhow. I do think for those who run quality RPi implementations with PS like Allo Shanti, iFi iPower or alike the UcPi should enhance the overall performance of the setup without being too complex.

If anybody out there have already tested the UcPi, please let us know.

Enjoy.