Description
ATTENTION – Now Available for Immediate Shipment!!!
▌PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
>> COBRAAAA! THE CARDPUTER JUST GOT ITS FIRST IR BLASTER. <<
COBRA hasss infiltrated the Cardputer platform. There isss no retreat.
The Rabbit-Labs COBRA Commander is a high-power IR blaster and receiver module designed from the ground up for the M5Stack Cardputer ADV and the upcoming Cardputer Zero. It is the first dedicated IR blaster ever built for the Cardputer platform, and it’s bringing the kind of heat that would make Dessstro jealousss.
Packed with 10 Rabbit-Labs custom IR LEDs (the same emitters used on the legendary MastaBlasta), the COBRA Commander doesn’t just transmit IR signals. It dominatesss them. Each LED is driven by a purpose-engineered LED driver circuit designed to extract maximum optical power from every emitter. This isn’t a lazy resistor-limited setup. This is a carefully tuned power delivery system that ensures every LED fires at peak output, every time, for maximum range and target saturation.
But the COBRA Commander doesn’t just talk. It lissstensss. A highly sensitive IR receiver is built directly into the board, giving you full-duplex IR capability: transmit and capture. Read IR signals from remotes, learn new commands, decode protocols, and blast them back on demand. One board. Both directions.
This is a first for Rabbit-Labs. Every board we’ve ever built has been for the Flipper Zero. The COBRA Commander marksss our expansion into the Cardputer ecosystem, and we’re not tiptoeing in. We’re kicking the door down, screaming the battle cry, and planting the flag. If you’re running a Cardputer, this is the IR upgrade that didn’t exist until now.
Plug and play. No soldering. Seat the COBRA Commander onto the Cardputer’s expansion header, fire up your firmware, Turn on 5v and pin G3 for send and G15 for Receive, and you’re operational. It works natively with Bruce firmware and other community firmware builds that support IR on the Cardputer platform. TV-B-Gone, custom IR, IR receiver, remote cloning, protocol decoding… the COBRA Commander handlesss all of it with the kind of power the Cardputer’s stock IR emitter can only dream about.
The front of the board features the Rabbit-Labs logo in gold on a red solder mask, with 10 IR LEDs arrayed in formation and the IR receiver centered for optimal capture angle. Flip it over, and COBRA greets you: the iconic serpent emblem and a message straight out of 1985.
And now you know… and knowing is half the battle.
COBRAAAA! 🐍
▌README.TXT – INSTALLATION & USE
Compatibility: Designed for the M5Stack Cardputer ADV and the upcoming M5Stack Cardputer Zero. Works with Bruce firmware and other community firmware builds supporting external IR TX/RX on the Cardputer’s expansion header.
Step 1: Power Down Turn off your Cardputer and disconnect it from USB power. COBRA doesn’t like being plugged in hot.
Step 2: Align & Ssseat Align the COBRA Commander’s pin header with the expansion connector on the top of the Cardputer. The IR LEDs should face forward (away from the screen), and the board should sit flush against the top edge of the device. Press straight down, gently and evenly, until fully seated.
Step 3: Power Up Turn on your Cardputer. If running Bruce firmware, navigate to the IR menu. The COBRA Commander requires no additional configuration. Bruce will automatically use the external IR TX and RX pins when the board is connected.
Step 4: Configure Pins (if needed) If your firmware requires manual pin configuration for IR TX and RX, consult your firmware’s documentation for the correct GPIO pin assignments on the Cardputer ADV expansion header. Bruce handles this automatically.
Step 5: Unleasssh COBRA Select your IR function: TV-B-Gone, Custom IR, IR Receiver, or any other supported IR operation. Point the COBRA Commander at your target and fire. The 10 high-power IR LEDs will handle the ressst.
Step 6: Remove When done, power off the Cardputer before removing the board. Grip the board by the edges (not the components) and pull straight up. Do not twist or rock.
PRO TIP: For maximum range, point the COBRA Commander directly at the target device’s IR receiver. The LED array provides a wide flood pattern, but direct line-of-sight always yields the best results. And remember: knowing is half the battle. The other half is having 10 IR LEDs at your disposal.
▌DEBUG LOG – TROUBLESHOOTING
ISSUE: Cardputer doesn’t recognize the COBRA Commander / IR functions don’t work. FIX: Confirm the board is fully seated on the expansion header. Check that your firmware supports external IR TX/RX on the expansion pins. If using Bruce, ensure you’re running a recent build that supports the Cardputer ADV hardware. Older builds may not have proper pin mapping for the ADV’s expansion header. Update your firmware and retry. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE 5v TURNED ON AND PINS SET PROPERLY FOR TX/RX (G3/G15)
ISSUE: IR signals transmit but don’t seem to reach the target. FIX: Verify line-of-sight to the target device’s IR receiver. IR is light, and it needs a clear path. Check for obstructions, bright sunlight (which can overwhelm IR receivers), and distance. The COBRA Commander has significantly more power than the Cardputer’s stock emitter, but it’s still IR, not a laser. Try moving closer, adjusting angle, or testing in lower ambient light.
ISSUE: IR receiver isn’t capturing signals from my remote. FIX: Point the remote directly at the COBRA Commander’s IR receiver (the dark component centered on the front of the board). Some remotes use non-standard protocols or frequencies that may not be supported by your firmware’s IR decoder. Try with a known-good remote (basic TV remote using NEC protocol) to verify receiver functionality. Also confirm the IR RX pin is correctly configured in your firmware settings.
ISSUE: Board gets warm during extended use. FIX: The LED driver circuit pushes the IR LEDs harder than a standard resistor-limited design. Mild warmth during sustained, high-rate IR transmission is normal and expected. If the board becomes uncomfortably hot, reduce the transmission duty cycle and allow it to cool. The COBRA Commander was designed for tactical bursts, not 24/7 continuous blasting.
ISSUE: Board doesn’t fit my original Cardputer (v1.0 / v1.1). FIX: The COBRA Commander is designed specifically for the Cardputer ADV and the upcoming Cardputer Zero. The original Cardputer (v1.0/v1.1) has a different expansion header configuration. Physical compatibility with the original Cardputer is not guaranteed. If you’re unsure which Cardputer model you have, check the M5Stack documentation or the markings on your device.
ISSUE: The COBRA serpent on the back is facing the wrong way / board art looks different than expected. THIS IS NOT A DEFECT. PCB artwork orientation may vary between production runs. All boards are functionally identical regardless of silkscreen orientation. COBRA doesn’t care which way the ssssnake facesss. COBRA only caresss about resultsss.
▌SYS.WARN – WARNINGS, HAZARDS & DISCLAIMERS
Intended Use / Legal Compliance. The Rabbit-Labs COBRA Commander is an infrared transceiver module intended for educational, research, and personal use. IR blasters can interact with consumer electronics, access control systems, and other IR-controlled devices. Users are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws. Do not use this product to interact with, disrupt, or control devices or systems you are not authorized to access. Rabbit-Labs LLC does not condone, encourage, or support any unauthorized, illegal, or malicious use of this product. COBRA isss fictional. Your legal liability isss not.
IR Safety. Infrared light emitted by this device is invisible to the naked eye. While IR LEDs used in consumer devices operate at power levels generally considered safe, avoid staring directly into the LED array at close range during transmission. Do not point the device directly into eyes.
ESD Sensitivity. This is an exposed electronic circuit board. Handle with appropriate ESD precautions. Avoid touching components directly. Store in an anti-static bag when not in use.
Power Draw. The COBRA Commander draws power from the Cardputer’s expansion header. The LED driver circuit demands more current than the Cardputer’s built-in IR emitter. Extended, heavy IR use may reduce battery life. Monitor your battery level during prolonged sessions.
Compatibility. This board is designed for the M5Stack Cardputer ADV and the upcoming M5Stack Cardputer Zero. Compatibility with other M5Stack products, ESP32 boards, or older Cardputer models is not guaranteed. Do not connect this board to devices other than supported Cardputer models. Incorrect connection to incompatible hardware may damage the board, the host device, or both.
Firmware Dependency. The COBRA Commander is a hardware module. Its functionality depends on the firmware running on your Cardputer. Rabbit-Labs LLC does not develop, maintain, or support Bruce firmware or any other third-party firmware. For firmware-related issues, consult the respective firmware project’s documentation and community channels.
Not a Toy. Despite the fun artwork, this product is an electronic component, not a toy. Keep out of reach of children. Not intended for users under the age of 13.
Trademark Notices. The COBRA Commander product name and associated artwork are used as a pop-culture homage and parody. COBRA, G.I. Joe, and related characters and trademarks are the property of Hasbro, Inc. Rabbit-Labs LLC is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Hasbro, Inc. M5Stack, Cardputer, and Cardputer ADV are trademarks of M5Stack Technology Co., Ltd. The use of these names is for compatibility purposes only.
Disclaimer. This product is sold “as-is” as an electronic expansion module. Rabbit-Labs LLC makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding fitness for a particular purpose. Rabbit-Labs LLC is not responsible for any damage to persons, property, or equipment resulting from misuse, incorrect installation, incompatible firmware, or failure to follow the guidelines outlined above. Maximum liability shall not exceed the purchase price of the product. And now you know.
© Rabbit-Labs LLC. All rights reserved. The Rabbit-Labs name and logo are trademarks of Rabbit-Labs LLC. YO JOE!
