The FutureBit Moonlander 2 Stick USB Miner
Specs:
- Algorithm: SCRYPT (Coins Mined: Litecoin, Dogecoin, etc.)
- Hashrate: 3 - 5 MH/s (Stock setting: About 3MH/s)
- Chip: 28nm SCRYPT ASIC
- Power use: Under 10 watts
The Review:
The FutureBit Moonlander 2 Stick USB miner is a very small miner that basically anyone is able to set up and use. It can work with Windows, Linux, most Macs, and even on a Raspberry Pi (Which runs Linux). It has a nice fan, heatsinks, is relatively quiet, has very low power draw, but is definitely not something I would recommend for anyone who wants to make a profit from mining. Selling at $44.99 US at the time of writing, this little device will make you just over a cent a day if you don't have to pay for electricity. It's a great way to learn about mining and is a terrific yet not extraordinarily expensive gift for those interested in learning about cryptocurrencies.
The stock settings provide a hashrate of about 3MH/s though it can be configured to mine at about 5MH/s (For perspective, Bitmain's Antminer L3++ boasts a hashrate of just under 600 MH/s while FutureBit's Apollo Miner can easily exceed 100MH/s). The miner originally came out in 2017, so in 2020, it's a little outdated. If you want to mine most efficiently and at the maximum hashrate, it is highly recommended you invest in an external powered USB 3 hub.
If you want to try your hand at mining or learn the ropes of cryptocurrency, this is a pretty good choice! But if you want to invest or make some profit in crypto, you're probably better off straight up buying $44.99 of crypto!
Disclaimer:
I am not in any way affiliated with FutureBit, Bitmain, or any other crypto/crypto-related company. I personally have six of these Moonlander 2 miners purchased all the way back in 2017. Today, these miners are running off an external powered USB hub connected to a Raspberry Pi 3(Not pictured above. The image used in this post is just for reference and shows one of my Moonlander 2 miners on a hub with four BlockErupter miners).
Remember, investments in cryptocurrencies are like any other investment: Invest only what you can afford to lose. No investment is a guarantee.
