Model: IDX-3.1
Serial Number: IDX-3-1xx
Firmware: 6.x
Date: 2026-08-24
IDX bridges the gap between the ephemeral nature of digital data and the tactile permanence of instrumentation. Whether tracking market volatility or environmental signals, you now have a physical anchor for your most important data.
Available in three finishes: Alba, Nordic, and Sanctuary.
Before powering the device for the first time, please note:
A new device runs a standalone Display MODE, designed for use on a Store shelf. In Display MODE, the needle walks the dial with no data source and no internet connection.
IDX-<serial>-setup — for example IDX-3-102-setup. Check the rear of the unit for the Serial Number.idxsetup.http://192.168.4.1.The Wifi Setup Access Point closes after 5 minutes if unused, as a security precaution.
To reopen it, power-cycle the device.
At power-up, IDX will cycle through several phases indicated by color:
Access the internal dashboard via your web browser to customize your device.
The web interface requires a login.
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Username | idx (always) |
| Password | idxsetup |
You can set your own password under ADVANCED (6 to 64 characters). The current password is shown on that page. If you forget it, a factory reset returns the device's password to idxsetup.
Spaces are stored exactly as typed, so a password ending in a space needs that space to sign in.
What the login protects. The default password is the same on every device and is printed here, so treat it as public. It stops casual and accidental access, but it is not protection from someone who knows the product. If IDX shares a network with people you don't know, set your own password.
Repeated wrong passwords lock the interface. Five incorrect passwords in a row lock sign-in for 30 seconds, after which it unlocks on its own — there is nothing to reset. The lock applies to the device rather than to your browser, so if someone else on the network is guessing, you wait alongside them. The gauge keeps running its MODE throughout; only the web interface is affected.
Keys and tokens (CoinMarketCap, Finnhub, Home Assistant) are never sent back to your browser once saved. The field reads "Saved — leave blank to keep" instead of showing the value.
Choose what data source IDX references.
By default, IDX ships in Display MODE: the needle walks the dial on its own, with no data source, no keys and no internet connection. A new device demonstrates itself out of the box. Display is also selectable like any other MODE once the device is on your network.
Once you are on WiFi, other modes can be selected.
Each MODE provides a mapping from its value to a 0-1 range, which defines the position of the pointer. Default values are shown below.
| MODE | MIN VALUE | MID POINT | MAX VALUE | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Quality Index | 0 | 50 | 100 | Absolute AQI scale, based on your city location. |
| Alt.me Fear & Greed Index | 0 | 50 | 100 | Absolute sentiment index (0 = extreme fear, 100 = extreme greed). |
| CMC Crypto Tracker | -5% | 0% | +5% | Relative 24h price change; centre is no change. CMC API key required. |
| CMC Fear & Greed Index | 0 | 50 | 100 | Absolute sentiment index. CMC API key required. |
| Display | — | — | — | Default. Autonomous needle walk; no data source, no configuration, no internet. Works with any face insert. |
| 12-hour Sweep | 12.00 | 06.00 | 11.59 | Sweeps through 180 degrees in 12h |
| 24-hour Sweep | 10.00 | 12.00 | 23.59 | Sweeps through 180 degrees in 24h |
| Finnhub Stock Tracker | -5% | 0% | +5% | Relative 24h price change; centre is no change. |
| HN Hotness | 0% | 50% | 100% | Hacker News front-page hotness — #1 story score against a maximum value (500 points by default). Pairs with the 0–100 face insert. |
| Home Assistant | 0 | 50 | 100 | Maps any numeric entity state from your local Home Assistant instance. For indoor temperature, choose a range like 9-25C |
| Pomodoro Timer | 0 | 12m30s | 25m | Focus sweep toward task completion (counts down). Minutes. |
| Temperature | -10C | 15C | 40C | Maps a OpenMeteo temperature report for your city location. |
The needle picks a destination on the dial, travels there over a series of small moves, pauses when it arrives, then picks somewhere else. A full crossing of the dial takes around three minutes.
It is deliberately neither random nor a repeating sweep. Every move is a different size — most are about a unit of the dial, a full-size move is occasional, and the walk sometimes pauses mid-journey. Nothing settles into a rhythm. Movement is capped at 5 units of the dial (about 27 of the motor's 540 steps) per move and is usually a fifth of that, so it stays quiet enough for a shop floor or a desk.
Each device seeds itself from hardware randomness, so two units side by side do not move in step with each other.
There is nothing to configure. Display works with any AMBIENCE — Sentiment is worth trying, as the LEDs track the needle as it walks.
| Behaviour | Value |
|---|---|
| Time between moves | 5 seconds |
| Largest possible move | 5 units of the dial (of 100) |
| Smallest move | 0.4 units |
| Minimum distance to a new destination | 15 units |
| Chance of pausing mid-journey | 15% per move |
| Pause on arrival | 5 to 20 seconds |
The rotation of the pointer is defined by a position value between 0 (MIN) and 1 (MAX).
The table above shows each mode's mapping.
You can also go to ADVANCED / DIAGNOSTICS / EVENT LOG in the UI to see the real-time value generated by the current mode.
Optionally, pick a face insert (see below) whose printed MIN/MID/MAX labels match the mode you've selected, so the scale on the dial reads correctly. You can also create your own custom face inserts.
IDX accepts a swappable, printed face insert behind the needle, so the dial always reads correctly for whatever MODE you're tracking.
Pre-cut face inserts are provided, which might include things like:
| Face insert | Scale | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage | 0 – 100% | HN Hotness, Home Assistant, generic 0-100 sources |
| Relative % | -5% – +5% | Stock / Crypto Tracker |
| Percentage (fine) | 0 – 100% (20-step) | Home Assistant, generic 0-100 sources |
| 12-Hour Clock | 0 – 12 HOUR | Clock (12h) |
| Temperature | -10°C – 30°C | Temperature |
| Air Quality | 0 – 200 AQI | Air Quality Index |
| Blank | — | Custom labelling by hand |
| Generic Scale | 0 – 25 | Pomodoro Timer (minutes), custom sources |
Prefer to design your own? Both the pre-designed sheet and a blank template are available as vector (SVG) and print-ready (PDF) files, as a starting point:
IDX_inserts_dials_v3.pdf · IDX_inserts_dials_v3.svg
IDX_gauge_inserts_blank_v2.2.pdf · IDX_gauge_inserts_blank_v2.2.svg
Print on transparent stock (acetate), then cut along the dotted line.
Tools required: 2mm hex key.
Remove circular faceplate
Add face insert
Refit gauge faceplate
We recommend long CYCLE DURATIONS (e.g., 600 seconds) for maximum calm. A new or factory-reset device runs Glacial.
| Theme | Effect |
|---|---|
| Static | A single unchanging colour of your choice. |
| Pulse | Slowly undulating; like breathing. |
| Glacial | Breathless whites and ice blues. |
| Aurora | Electromagnetic storms of green and blue. |
| Nebula | Deep space in blue and purple. |
| Sunset | Soothing end-of-day colours. |
| Sentiment | Red (left), Green (right). Best for market trackers and Display. Adjustable. |
| Alert | White, until a threshold is reached, then red |
idxsetup.A factory reset returns IDX to the state it shipped in.
What it clears
| Setting | After reset |
|---|---|
| WiFi network and password | Erased — the setup network reopens |
| Web interface password | Back to idxsetup |
| API keys and tokens | Erased |
| MODE | Display |
| AMBIENCE | Glacial |
How to do it
No tools required — the reset is triggered by power alone.
If you miss the white phase, let the device finish booting and start again. Follow section 03 to put IDX back on your WiFi.
idx / idxsetup, or whatever you set under ADVANCED.idxsetup.IDX is built on an open architecture.
| Component | Function | ESP32-C3 Pin |
|---|---|---|
| Stepper Motor | Coil A (1) | GPIO 00 |
| Stepper Motor | Coil A (2) | GPIO 01 |
| Stepper Motor | Coil B (1) | GPIO 06 |
| Stepper Motor | Coil B (2) | GPIO 07 |
| RGB LEDs | Data | GPIO 08 |
| Button | Reset | GPIO 09 |
IDX supports ESPHome as an alternative firmware, giving full control to Home Assistant.
The ESPHome configuration files required to build the firmware binary are available at github.com/analoguedeskco/esphome. Compile these using the ESPHome dashboard or CLI to produce a .bin, then flash via web.esphome.io
Once flashed, IDX appears as a native Home Assistant device — the needle and LEDs are exposed as standard entities and can be driven by any HA automation.
To switch back to the stock firmware, contact support (see below).
Support: