The Bitaxe Gamma (sometimes “Bitaxe 601 Gamma”) is a compact, open-source Bitcoin ASIC miner designed especially for solo mining, often dubbed “Bitcoin lottery mining.” Rather than being part of a large-scale mining farm, each device gives its owner a chance (though small) to find a block on their own, thereby winning the full block reward.
Key specs include:
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Hash rate: ~1.0–1.2 TH/s (some sellers claim slightly higher when overclocked)
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Power draw: ~15–20 W typically, giving an efficiency in the ballpark of 15 J/TH
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Chip used: BM1370 ASIC chip (from Bitmain’s Antminer S21 Pro)
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Open-source firmware/software: It uses something called AxeOS, and there are community-driven tools for configuration etc.
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Connectivity: Wi-Fi supported, displays, LED/OLED screens in certain versions, sometimes fan/noise upgrades or “silent” versions
What “Bitcoin Lottery Miner” Means
“Lottery miner” refers to solo mining: you run the miner by yourself rather than pooling your hashing power. You thus have a chance to find a full block. Since Bitcoin block rewards are large (plus transaction fees), finding one is lucrative. But very unlikely for a miner with low hash power like this. The “lottery” metaphor is because:
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Blocks are found roughly every 10 minutes in the whole network. To beat everyone else, you need enough hash rate and luck.
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For many users, daily or even monthly rewards are extremely unlikely; instead, they get tiny satoshis via mining pools or occasionally nothing.
Strengths
Here are what people generally see as the plus points:
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Low energy consumption relative to its capability. For home/hobby miners, this means lower electricity bills.
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Open-source hardware/software: more transparency and the possibility to tweak or upgrade over time. Also good from a decentralization philosophy.
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Relatively affordable entry point for solo mining, comparing to huge ASIC rigs.
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Compact / quiet options (some “silent” versions, upgraded fans) make it usable in a home environment without enormous noise or heat.
Weaknesses & Risks
But there are quite a few caveats, and many users are cautious. Here are the issues to consider:
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Very low probability of finding a block on your own with such low hash rate. The chance is tiny. So unless you're doing this more for hobby/learning/fun, returns may be discouraging.
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Long ROI (Return on Investment): Because block rewards are rare with small hash power, and electricity + equipment cost still there, the time to break even could be very long. Some reviews suggest it’s more of an educational or novelty device rather than serious income generator.
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Heat / Performance / Cooling: To maintain high hashrate and prevent thermal throttling or damage, adequate cooling is essential. Stock setups may work, but overclocked ones or ones with less optimal ambient temperature will suffer.
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Power supply and voltage concerns: Because it runs on 5V (with a 5V barrel jack or similar connector), the quality of the PSU matters. Undervoltage or voltage drop can lead to failures or instability. Some users report PSU issues or miner “not hashing” because of improper power.
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Supply / Delivery / Reliability issues:
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Some users report delays in shipping or being on backorder.
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Others report devices arriving defective or bricked, needing firmware re-flashes.
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There's also variability across sellers—some legitimate, some less so. That introduces risk when buying.
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Noise, though small, is not zero, particularly under load or with less optimal fans. Even “silent” versions are silent by comparison, but context (room size, ambient noise, etc.) matters.
Community Feedback
The user community has mixed experiences:
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Many are enthusiastic, especially hobbyists who like the open-source angle and the idea of contributing to Bitcoin’s decentralization.
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Some are disappointed that in years of running their unit, they’ve never found a block, so feel they are “playing the lottery” rather literally.
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Others value it more for the learning, tinkering, overclocking, modded cooling, or as a “showpiece” than for profit.
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Complaints especially center around power supply specs, heating, setup issues, and sometimes lack of clear communication from retailers. Reddit threads show users troubleshooting these.
Is It Worth It?
Whether the Bitaxe Gamma is a good buy depends heavily on your goals.
If you are a hobbyist, tech enthusiast, or someone who wants to learn more about Bitcoin mining, blocs, hash rates, etc., and are okay with possibly never obtaining a full block (but getting some satoshis or rewards via pool), then it’s likely a worthwhile gadget.
If your goal is purely profit, especially in short/medium term, you should run the numbers (electricity cost in your area, price of device + shipping + possible inefficiencies) very carefully. Most likely, profit will be negligible or negative unless you get lucky or benefit from very cheap electricity, and even then returns are modest.
Key Tips for Anyone Considering Buying One
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Buy from a reputable seller with good reviews and who supports the device (firmware updates, support).
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Ensure the power supply is solid, high quality, and capable of delivering stable voltage/current. Don’t skimp here.
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Plan for good cooling from the start; even modest cooling improvements can help maintain performance.
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Understand the chances: accept that you likely will not mine a full block; think instead of it as a chance lottery with low probability.
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Monitor firmware updates and the community; with open-source miners, improvements often come via community contributions.
Conclusion
The Bitaxe Gamma is an interesting and fairly novel proposition: a small, energy-efficient solo miner that gives individuals a chance—however small—to find a whole Bitcoin block. It embodies many of the ideals of decentralization and open-source software/hardware.
For many, though, it remains more of a hobbyist device than a serious income generator. The returns are unpredictable, often small, and the upfront cost + running expenses (power, cooling) must be considered. But if you enjoy the process, want to experiment, or simply want to join the “Bitcoin lottery,” it’s one of the more accessible paths into that space.
Bitaxe Gamma 601 Solo Bitcoin ASIC Miner
Get powerful mining performance with the Bitaxe Gamma 601, designed for serious Bitcoin enthusiasts
Product information
$139.99 $109.99
Product Review Score
4.27 out of 5 stars
220 reviews
