diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index fc8b473..e094556 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -11,3 +11,6 @@ pom.xml.asc
 # Intellij
 .idea
 *.iml
+
+# Sublime Text
+*.sublime-*
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1dacd5b..faaacbc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 Add the following to your `project.clj`
 
-	[clj-firmata 1.1.0]
+	[clj-firmata 1.1.1]
 
 ### Connect to a Board
 
diff --git a/project.clj b/project.clj
index 83aa892..7167f35 100644
--- a/project.clj
+++ b/project.clj
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-(defproject clj-firmata "1.1.1-SNAPSHOT"
+(defproject clj-firmata "1.1.1"
   :description "clj-firmata provides access to Standard Firmata (http://firmata.org/) commands via clojure"
   :url "https://github.com/peterschwarz/clj-firmata"
   :license {:name "Eclipse Public License"
diff --git a/src/firmata/core.clj b/src/firmata/core.clj
index a19df2a..9147948 100644
--- a/src/firmata/core.clj
+++ b/src/firmata/core.clj
@@ -178,7 +178,17 @@
   [in]
   (str (.read in) "." (.read in)))
 
-(defmulti ^{:private true} read-sysex-event
+(defmulti read-sysex-event
+  "Reads a sysex message.  
+
+   Returns a map with, at a minimum, the key :type.  This should 
+   indicates what sort of sysex message is being received.
+
+   For example, the result of a REPORT_FIRMWARE message is
+   
+       { :type :firmaware-report
+         :version \"2.3\"
+         :name \"StandardFirmata\" }"
   (fn [in] (.read in)))
 
 (defmethod read-sysex-event REPORT_FIRMWARE
@@ -242,6 +252,12 @@
     {:type :analog-mappings
      :mappings mappings}))
 
+(defmethod read-sysex-event STRING_DATA
+  [in]
+  (let [data (consume-sysex in "" #(str %1 (char %2)))]
+    {:type :string-data
+     :data data}))
+
 (defmethod read-sysex-event :default
   [in]
   (let [values (consume-sysex in '[] #(conj %1 %2))]
@@ -448,6 +464,11 @@
        [this]
        publisher)
 
+
+      Object 
+      
+      (toString [this] (format "(#Firmata :port-name \"%s\")" port-name))
+
       )))
 
 (defn send-i2c-request
diff --git a/test/firmata/test/core.clj b/test/firmata/test/core.clj
index 4cc3884..ce3d8e6 100644
--- a/test/firmata/test/core.clj
+++ b/test/firmata/test/core.clj
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 (ns firmata.test.core
   (:require [clojure.test :refer :all]
-            [clojure.core.async :refer [go <!! timeout]]
+            [clojure.core.async :refer [go <!! timeout alts!!]]
             [serial.core :as serial]
             [firmata.core :refer :all]
             )
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@
    (h (create-in-stream 0xF0 0x79 9 9 "Test Firmware" 0xF7))
    nil))
 
+(defn get-event 
+  [ch]
+  (first (alts!! [ch (timeout 200)])))
+
 (deftest test-read-events
 
   (let [handler (atom nil)]
@@ -49,7 +53,7 @@
 
       (testing "read protocol version"
         (@handler (create-in-stream 0xF9 2 3))
-        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+        (if-let [event (get-event evt-chan)]
               (do
                 (is (= :protocol-version (:type event)))
                 (is (= "2.3" (:version event))))
@@ -59,7 +63,7 @@
 
       (testing "read firmware info"
         (@handler (create-in-stream 0xF0 0x79 2 3 "Firmware Name" 0xF7))
-        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+        (if-let [event (get-event evt-chan)]
           (do
             (is (= :firmware-report (:type event)))
             (is (= "2.3" (:version event)))
@@ -74,7 +78,7 @@
                                     0x00 0x01 0x01 0x01 0x04 0x0e 0x7f
                                     0x00 0x01 0x01 0x01 0x03 0x08 0x04 0x0e 0x7f
                                     0xF7))
-        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+        (if-let [event (get-event evt-chan)]
           (do
             (is (= :capabilities-report (:type event)))
             (is (= {0 {},
@@ -87,7 +91,7 @@
 
       (testing "empty capabilities"
         (@handler (create-in-stream 0xF0 0x6C 0xF7))
-        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+        (if-let [event (get-event evt-chan)]
           (do
             (is (= :capabilities-report (:type event)))
             (is (= {} (:modes event))))
@@ -96,7 +100,7 @@
 
       (testing "read pin state"
         (@handler (create-in-stream 0xF0 0x6E 2 0 0x04 0xF7))
-        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+        (if-let [event (get-event evt-chan)]
           (do
             (is (= :pin-state (:type event)))
             (is (= 2 (:pin event)))
@@ -106,7 +110,7 @@
 
       (testing "read pin state larger value"
         (@handler (create-in-stream 0xF0 0x6E 2 1 0x7f 0x1 0xF7))
-        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+        (if-let [event (get-event evt-chan)]
           (do
             (is (= :pin-state (:type event)))
             (is (= 2 (:pin event)))
@@ -116,7 +120,7 @@
 
       (testing "read analog mappings"
         (@handler (create-in-stream 0xF0 0x6A 0x7F 0x7F 0x7F 0x7F 0x7F 0x7F 0x7F 0x7F 0x7F 0x7F 0x7F 0x7F 0x7F 0x7F 0 1 2 3 4 5 0xF7))
-        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+        (if-let [event (get-event evt-chan)]
           (do
             (is (= :analog-mappings (:type event)))
             (is (= {0 14,
@@ -127,6 +131,14 @@
                     5 19} (:mappings event))))
           (is (= "Expected event" "but was no event"))))
 
+      (testing "read string data"
+        (@handler (create-in-stream 0xF0 0x71 "Hello World" 0xF7))
+        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+          (do
+            (is (= :string-data (:type event)))
+            (is (= "Hello World" (:data event))))
+          (is (= "Expected event" "but was no event"))))
+
       (testing "read i2c-reply"
         (@handler (create-in-stream 0xF0 0x77
                                     0xA 0x0 ; slave address
@@ -134,7 +146,7 @@
                                     0x68 0x7 ; data0
                                     0x01 0x0  ; data1
                                     0xF7))
-        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+        (if-let [event (get-event evt-chan)]
           (do
             (is (= :i2c-reply (:type event)))
             (is (= 0x0A (:slave-address event)))
@@ -144,7 +156,7 @@
 
       (testing "read digital message"
         (@handler (create-in-stream 0x90 1 0))
-        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+        (if-let [event (get-event evt-chan)]
           (do
             (is (= :digital-msg (:type event)))
             (is (= 0 (:port event)))
@@ -154,7 +166,7 @@
 
       (testing "read digital message: low boundary"
         (@handler (create-in-stream 0x90 0 0))
-        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+        (if-let [event (get-event evt-chan)]
           (do
             (is (= :digital-msg (:type event)))
             (is (= 0 (:pin event)))
@@ -163,7 +175,7 @@
 
       (testing "read digital message: high boundary"
         (@handler (create-in-stream 0x9F 0x00 0x01))
-        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+        (if-let [event (get-event evt-chan)]
           (do
             (is (= :digital-msg (:type event)))
             (is (= 127 (:pin event)))
@@ -172,7 +184,7 @@
 
       (testing "read analog message"
         (@handler (create-in-stream 0xE5 0x68 7))
-        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+        (if-let [event (get-event evt-chan)]
           (do
             (is (= :analog-msg (:type event)))
             (is (= 5 (:pin event)))
@@ -181,7 +193,7 @@
 
       (testing "read unknown message"
         (@handler (create-in-stream 0x01))
-        (if-let [event (<!! evt-chan)]
+        (if-let [event (get-event evt-chan)]
           (do
             (is (= :unknown-msg (:type event)))
             (is (= 0x01 (:value event))))
@@ -197,6 +209,9 @@
 
     ))))
 
+(defn wait-for-it [] 
+  (<!! (timeout 100)))
+
 (deftest test-write
   (let [write-value (atom nil)]
   (with-redefs [serial/open (fn [_ _ _] :port)
@@ -206,27 +221,27 @@
 
       (testing "reset board"
         (reset-board! board)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= 0xFF @write-value)))
 
       (testing "query protocol version"
         (query-version board)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= 0xF9 @write-value)))
 
       (testing "query firmware"
         (query-firmware board)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xF0 0x79 0xF7] @write-value)))
 
       (testing "query capabilities"
         (query-capabilities board)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xF0 0x6B 0xF7] @write-value)))
 
       (testing "pin state query"
         (query-pin-state board 0)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xF0 0x6D 0 0xF7] @write-value))
 
         (is (thrown? AssertionError (query-pin-state board "foo")))
@@ -235,28 +250,28 @@
 
       (testing "query analog mappings"
         (query-analog-mappings board)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xF0 0x69 0xF7] @write-value)))
 
       (testing "set pin mode"
         (set-pin-mode board 4 :input)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xF4 4 0] @write-value))
 
         (set-pin-mode board 3 :output)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xF4 3 1] @write-value))
 
         (set-pin-mode board 16 :analog)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xF4 16 2] @write-value))
 
         (set-pin-mode board 13 :pwm)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xF4 13 3] @write-value))
 
         (set-pin-mode board 28 :servo)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xF4 28 4] @write-value))
 
         (is (thrown? AssertionError (set-pin-mode board 1 :foo)))
@@ -266,11 +281,11 @@
 
       (testing "toggle analog in"
         (enable-analog-in-reporting board 1 true)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xC1 1] @write-value))
 
         (enable-analog-in-reporting board 2 false)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xC2 0] @write-value))
 
         (is (thrown? AssertionError (enable-analog-in-reporting board -1 true)))
@@ -278,11 +293,11 @@
 
       (testing "toggle digital port reporting"
         (enable-digital-port-reporting board 1 true)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xD0 1] @write-value))
 
         (enable-digital-port-reporting board 15 false)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xD1 0] @write-value))
 
         (is (thrown? AssertionError (enable-digital-port-reporting board -1 true)))
@@ -290,15 +305,15 @@
 
       (testing "set digital value"
         (set-digital board 1 :high)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0x90 0x2 0x0] @write-value))
 
         (set-digital board 0 :high)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0x90 0x3 0x0] @write-value))
 
         (set-digital board 15 :low)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0x91 0x0 0x0] @write-value))
 
         (is (thrown? AssertionError (set-digital board 1 :foo)))
@@ -310,7 +325,7 @@
         (is (= [0xE4 0x68 0x7] @write-value))
 
         (set-analog board 16 1000)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xF0 0x6F 16 0x68 0x7 0xF7] @write-value))
 
         (is (thrown? AssertionError (set-analog board -1 1000)))
@@ -318,7 +333,7 @@
 
       (testing "set sampling interval"
         (set-sampling-interval board 1000)
-        (<!! (timeout 10))
+        (wait-for-it)
         (is (= [0xF0 0x7A 0x68 0x7 0xF7] @write-value)))
     ))))
 
@@ -331,42 +346,42 @@
 
         (testing "ic2 request: write"
           (send-i2c-request board 6 :write 0xF 0xE 0xD)
-          (<!! (timeout 10))
+          (wait-for-it)
           (is (= [[0xF0 0x76 6 0 0xF 0x0 0xE 0 0xD 0x0 0xF7]] @writes)))
 
         (reset! writes [])
 
         (testing "ic2 request: read-once"
           (send-i2c-request board 6 :read-once 1000)
-          (<!! (timeout 10))
+          (wait-for-it)
           (is (= [[0xF0 0x76 6 2r0000100 0x68 0x7 0xF7]] @writes)))
 
         (reset! writes [])
 
         (testing "ic2 request: read-continuously"
           (send-i2c-request board 7 :read-continuously)
-          (<!! (timeout 10))
+          (wait-for-it)
           (is (= [[0xF0 0x76 7 2r1000 0xF7]] @writes)))
 
         (reset! writes [])
 
         (testing "ic2 request: stop-reading"
           (send-i2c-request board 7 :stop-reading)
-          (<!! (timeout 10))
+          (wait-for-it)
           (is (= [[0xF0 0x76 7 2r1100 0xF7]] @writes)))
 
         (reset! writes [])
 
         (testing "ic2 config: delay"
           (send-i2c-config board 1000)
-          (<!! (timeout 10))
+          (wait-for-it)
           (is (= [[0xF0 0x78 0x68 0x7 0xF7]] @writes)))
 
         (reset! writes [])
 
         (testing "ic2 config: delay and user data"
           (send-i2c-config board 1000 0x10)
-          (<!! (timeout 10))
+          (wait-for-it)
           (is (= [[0xF0 0x78 0x68 0x7 0x10 0xF7]] @writes)))
 
         (reset! writes [])