The Gekkoscience SHA256 2PAC Stick Miner
Specs:
- Algorithm: SHA256 (Coins Mined: Bitcoin, BitcoinCash, Peercoin, etc.)
- Hashrate: 15+ GH/s (Though it can be set to a little higher)
- Chip: 2 x 28nm Bitmain BM1384 chips
- Power use: About 5 watts
The Review:
The Gekkoscience 2Pac stick miner is another very popular USB miner, featuring a pair of 28nm Bitmain BM1384 chips. The miner is entirely silent, uses very little power, and is very cheap to run. However, note that the lack of a fan makes this device very hot just minutes after it starts mining, and hence, requires an external USB fan or some other method of cooling. It's extremely easy to set up, and can be make to run on Linux, most Macs, and Windows. Of course, like most other similar USB miners the Gekkoscience 2Pac can also be run on a USB hub plugged into a Raspberry Pi.
In terms of mining stability, the 2Pac is among the most stable USB miners I've personally used, and submits very few stale or invalid shares. The device is able to maintain a very steady 15 GH/s mining speed, though you could clock the device to run at slightly higher speeds. For those trying to make money from cryptocurrency of mining, I would honestly recommend you look into a more modern miner such as Bitmain's Antminer S17 series, or just straight up purchase cryptocurrency. At 15 GH/s, you will make under 2 cents per week provided you don't pay pool fees or electricity fees! In other words, even if mining difficulty never rises, it'll take you decades to break even! In other words, it's just a novelty item.
However, if you want to learn how cryptocurrency mining works, this little miner is always an option! The Gekkoscience 2Pac is also a fun little gift for friends and family that have an interest in Bitcoin and other SHA256 coins. At the time of writing, online retailers sell the device for about $43.50 US per unit, though some people have reported acquiring the miners for as low at $25 US before shipping cost. So, whether you want to learn something about how cryptocurrencies are generated or want to buy a cool gift for a friend, the Gekkoscience 2Pac is a novelty item you definitely don't want to forget to consider!
Disclaimer:
I am not in any way affiliated with Bitmain, Gekkoscience, or any other crypto/crypto-related company. I personally have one of these miners purchased in mid-2017. Today, alongside several other older USB miners, this device is no longer mining, but is still in functional shape. I used to run this alongside Rockminer U10s on a powered external USB hub, with several USB fans to help circulate the air.
Remember, investments in cryptocurrencies are like any other investment: Invest only what you can afford to lose. No investment is a guarantee.
