A history of technical influence

From ET312B to ZC95: an idea takes different paths.

This is a story of related designs and new projects, not a single manufacturer’s official sequence of replacement models.

The reference point

Erostek ET312 / ET312B

The Erostek device is the starting point for the design connection discussed here. Its documentation already describes battery operation and computer control. Those features belong in the historical picture before later wireless implementations are considered.

The ErosLink material linked below also documents a computer-software ecosystem around the ET312. Bluetooth should therefore be understood as a later connection choice in a related implementation, rather than the beginning of all remote control in this family.

A separate implementation

MK312-BT

The MK312-BT project belongs to the reverse-engineered 312 family. It connects the familiar platform to a different implementation and Bluetooth capability. Supplier-built devices need to be identified by their own specifications and support arrangements.

This separation matters for historical accuracy: technical resemblance does not establish manufacturer identity. An MK312-BT is not an original Erostek unit. The project archive helps explain the relationship; a commercial listing describes the particular device being sold.

Public in late 2021

ZC95 MKI

The ZC95 project identifies MK312-BT as a major inspiration and dates the public MKI release to late 2021. The resulting project takes its own direction with four channels and a programmable pattern system.

MKI is a hardware generation, not a label for every later firmware release. Keeping the two concepts separate makes old build guides and accessory descriptions easier to interpret.

A revised hardware layout

ZC95 MKII

MKII changes the board arrangement, power system and connectors. The practical story is a more compact reference design with USB-C charging, a 26650 cell and revised sockets. These changes affect ownership and compatibility without establishing an automatic increase in output strength.

The archived release milestones include v2.0-rc1 on 19 April 2025 and v2.0 on 8 March 2026. These are firmware publication dates, not universal retail launch dates. They should not be used to date every seller’s finished MKII device.

Why history matters when buying today

A used listing may combine a project name, hardware generation and firmware version in one sentence. Ask for each separately. That helps you find the right manual, understand which accessories apply and identify who can support the actual unit.

For current feature selection, return to the device comparison. For connector and control details, read the ZC95 generation guide or the MK312-BT overview.

Your questions, answered

Frequently asked questions

Practical answers before you choose.

Is ZC95 an official Erostek successor?

No. It is a separate project with documented technical inspiration from MK312-BT.

Are firmware dates the same as retail launch dates?

No. A published software milestone does not establish when all suppliers began selling a hardware build.

Sources & editorial approach

Edited by STIM-SYSTEM · 24 September 2026. Based on published documentation, not our own laboratory testing. Specifications depend on the build and firmware. STIM-SYSTEM sells some of the devices discussed.