Emotiv EPOC vs NeuroSky Mindset

[L0rd_M@dness]

Hi people!
I've gotten into brain controlled robots recently, so I was about to by an EEG headset, and found these 2 products:
NeuroSky Mindset: http://store.neurosky.com/products/mindset
Emotiv EPOC: http://www.emotiv.com/store/hardware/epoc-bci/epoc-neuroheadset/
So I was wondering which one is ACTUALLY better. EPOC has 14 sensors (apparently) and is $100 more expensive but if it's really more accurate in measuring brain waves, then it might be worth it. Mindset looks simpler and cheaper.
There's also these headsets on this toy called Mindflex (and yes techb I read your blog, and I know you used them! ) so those are another option, but I'm kinda ambivalent about their accuracy...
So I was wondering if anyone actually used them, and if yes, I'll be more than happy to hear their opinion on these. Which one do you think is a better choice?

[techb]

I've heard good things about both of them. The EPOC will give more accurate data due to more sensors, but NeuroSky is more hackable. NeuroSky's chipset will give a smoothed "concentration/meditative" data that is propitiatory, but good non-the-less.


Also, the mindset has been around longer and has way more specs available, plus cheaper. I would recommend the mindset for things your probably going to do with it. The EPOC is kinda medical grade and used by corporations. Plus the EPOC is more locked down soft/hardware wise.

[L0rd_M@dness]

Thanks techb! +1 for the useful recommendation.
What about the ones in MindFlex? Are those as accurate? What's the difference between those and MindSet?

[techb]

MindSet uses a different chip-set if I recall, and the refresh rate to give you data "should be" way faster (sample rate says 512Hz, but eSense update rate says 1Hz?). The MindFlex will give you values about once a second, which is kinda crap for real-time applications.

[ande]

Ohai, this is an interesting topic (for me anyway). I have the OCZ NIA but it kinda sucks so I haven't used it a whole lot. However I would like to give some other device a shot if they work better.

Do you have these devices yourself Techb or is your Google-fu just awesome?

I have been considering the EPOC but its a little too expensive to buy without some good facts from reliable sources.

EDIT: Also I think the EPOC is pretty hackable as well, there are several SDK's and source code examples out there.

[p_2001]

umm.... the products claim to provide research level data but they are priced too cheap.. I mean it claims to provide real time alpha and beta waves.. but the point is that my father has $6000 worth machine dedicated to EEG for patients.. so I doubt the claims for research level data are true..

[techb]

Ohai, this is an interesting topic (for me anyway). I have the OCZ NIA but it kinda sucks so I haven't used it a whole lot. However I would like to give some other device a shot if they work better.

Do you have these devices yourself Techb or is your Google-fu just awesome?

I have been considering the EPOC but its a little too expensive to buy without some good facts from reliable sources.

EDIT: Also I think the EPOC is pretty hackable as well, there are several SDK's and source code examples out there.

The only device I have is the MindFlex you can get at ToysRUs lol. They also have a dual MindFlex for two people at a decent price and you'll get two headsets.


The EPOC isn't a bad choice either, it's the price that gets me mostly, and I'm biosed towards NeuroSky since I have previews experience with the chip.

umm.... the products claim to provide research level data but they are priced too cheap.. I mean it claims to provide real time alpha and beta waves.. but the point is that my father has $6000 worth machine dedicated to EEG for patients.. so I doubt the claims for research level data are true..

Almost agreed. Hobby/consumer research yes. Medical grade research no. The stuff your dad uses is built for corporate grade studies and is by far the most accurate data you can get.


To compare:
$6,000 equipment is mostly used for medical research such as understanding how and why ADHD, schizophrenia, mental retardation, dreams, memory, etc.. work.


$200 equipment is mostly used to further the video game market, develop affordable aid for things like quadriplegics to use. Also to bring EEG to the general public in an affordable manner. The data isn't as accurate nor as in real-time as the medical grade stuff, but is good enough for the hobby market.