The Ahmsville Dial is a programmable rotary controller inspired by Microsoft’s Surface Dial. A Hackster.io article by Cameron Coward describes a device that controls mapped computer functions by turning the dial or tapping four capacitive pads. It was offered as a DIY kit or an assembled unit, but its current availability, price, setup instructions, and compatibility are not established by that report.
What the Ahmsville Dial does
The controller combines a rotary dial with four capacitive touch pads on its top. According to Hackster.io’s coverage, the dial and pads can trigger functions mapped to applications. That makes it a customizable input device rather than a controller with a documented, fixed set of shortcuts.
The report identifies an ATmega32u4 microcontroller—the same chip used in an Arduino Pro Micro—and says it can be programmed with the Arduino IDE. RGB LEDs and a vibration motor provide feedback. The article does not provide a firmware version, current software repository, step-by-step setup guide, or list of supported application-specific mappings.
How it compares with Microsoft Surface Dial
Both devices are rotary computer controllers, but the Hackster article presents the Ahmsville as a more configurable alternative with extra touch inputs. The available comparison is limited: it does not establish a direct test of the two devices or verify their current software support.
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| Aspect | Ahmsville Dial | Microsoft Surface Dial |
|---|---|---|
| Inputs and customization | Rotary dial and four capacitive pads; Hackster says controls can be mapped to application functions. | Not stated in the cited Hackster article. |
| Feedback | RGB LEDs and a vibration motor, according to Hackster. | Not stated in the cited Hackster article. |
| Computer compatibility | Hackster reports Mac and Linux compatibility; present-day compatibility is not established. | Not stated in the cited Hackster article. |
| Purchase format | Reported as a DIY kit or assembled unit; the kit required a 3D-printed enclosure. | Not stated in the cited Hackster article. |
| Historical price in Hackster coverage | $15 for the DIY kit and $35 for the assembled unit; these are historical figures, not current prices. | $99; a historical figure in the same article, not a current price. |
DIY kit or assembled unit
DIY kit
The article described a kit for buyers who wanted to assemble the controller themselves. Its enclosure needed to be 3D printed, so the kit was not a complete, ready-to-use unit as described.
Assembled device
The assembled version was reported to include a 3D-printed enclosure. The article’s historical price was $35, but it does not confirm present stock, seller, warranty, or current cost.
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What to check before trying to buy or build one
- Confirm that the Ahmsville Dial is currently available from a seller you can verify; the cited article does not establish current availability.
- Ask for current setup instructions and firmware, since the article does not identify a current repository or version.
- Check that its software and mapped controls work with your operating system and applications. The article reports Mac and Linux compatibility, but does not give current support details or an application-by-application list.
- If considering the DIY kit, verify what parts are included and whether you can print the required enclosure.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
