Hardware Overview
This section covers all physical components that make up an OpenShock setup – from the control board ("Hub") and transmitter modules, to the shockers (collars) themselves and the remotes you may already own.
Use this page as a map. Dive deeper via the links below depending on what you want to build, buy, identify, or maintain.
Quick Jump
- 🔌 Boards (Hubs / MCU): Supported microcontroller boards, compatibility & feature matrix – see Boards
- 📡 Transmitter: 433 MHz transmitter modules & assembly guidance – see Transmitter
- ⚡ Shockers (Collars): Supported receiver/shocker models & safety warnings – see Shockers
Choosing Your Path
| Goal | Start Here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I want the simplest working hub | Boards | Pick a fully maintained board for fewer surprises |
| I already own a collar and want to know if it works | Shockers | Lists supported shocker models & status |
| Ready to get started? | Firmware flashing in Guides – OpenShock | End‑to‑end setup instructions |
| I plan to self‑host everything | Guides – Selfhost | Best Selfhost Practise and Examples |
Recommended Starting Hardware
If you are new and buying fresh parts today:
- A fully maintained board (e.g. Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3, Wemos Lolin S3, or OpenShock Core V2)
- A 433 MHz transmitter module listed in the Transmitter section
- A recommended shocker (CaiXianlin) – see supported list
Recommended: Cables & Soldering Iron to connect the ESP32 and Transmitter.
Safety First
Before powering anything or placing a collar on a person, read the core Safety Rules. Improper use can cause injury. Never place electrodes near the heart or neck; avoid simultaneous contact with both shocker pins.
Firmware & Flashing
Once you have your board selected, head to:
- How to Flash Your Board
- First Setup
- How to Update for OTA / version upgrade workflow
Compatibility Labels
The meaning of the icons used in board/shocker tables:
| Icon | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ✅ | Fully compatible/tested |
| ⚠️ | Partial or with caveats |
| ❌ | Not compatible / avoid |
| 🛠️ | Work in progress |
| ❔ | Unknown or unverified |
| 🚀 | Maintained by OpenShock team |
| ✈️ | Maintained by community contributor |
| ☁️ | Supports OTA updating |
| 🔒 | Hardware accelerated cryptography |
Refer to the specific section pages for any nuances or footnotes.
Need Help?
If you run into hardware issues:
- See Troubleshooting – Hub
- See Troubleshooting – Shocker Pairing
- Ask in the community (GitHub Discussions / Discord) with board + firmware version + logs (if available).
Continue to Boards »