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Help Deciding on Propeller kits — Parallax Forums

Help Deciding on Propeller kits

pdiefendpdiefend Posts: 27
edited 2009-02-12 19:15 in Propeller 1
Hey Guys,

I need help which development kit or programming kit for the Propeller to get.· I have been programming Basic Stamps for years (all I know is self taught and learned from parallax's books and manuals), and I am also·familiar to electronics.· I do not know which kit is best to get with hardware, and which is best for teaching how to program propeller chips.· Any thoughts which is best for cost and versitility? Note: I would perfer full access to all pins.

Thanks,

Phil D.

Comments

  • parts-man73parts-man73 Posts: 830
    edited 2009-02-12 01:11
    You mentioned access to all pins and versatility. SpinStudio can offer both. There is the IO servo modules and Protocards that provide direct access to the IO pins, or you can plug in VGA, Composite Video / Sound / joystick / ethernet / SD cards etc with prebuilt modules that can be temporarily swapped in when you want them. You can reconfigure as your needs and wants change.

    If all you want is direct access to IO pins, the Protoboard is a nice choice, and very affordable.

    Parallax's PE (Propeller Education) kit is entirely solderless breadboard based. I simply LOVE the breadboard that comes with this kit (it can be purchased separately if you don't want the whole PE kit)

    On the other end of the spectrum, the Demo Board from Parallax is set up with Sound / Video (both VGA and composite) / Mouse and Keyboard. You only get access to 8 pins though.

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    Brian

    uController.com - home of SpinStudio - the modular Development system for the Propeller

    PropNIC - Add ethernet ability to your Propeller! PropJoy - Plug in a joystick and play some games!

    SD card Adapter - mass storage for the masses Audio/Video adapter add composite video and sound to your Proto Board

    Post Edited (parts-man73) : 2/12/2009 1:16:46 AM GMT
  • Timothy D. SwieterTimothy D. Swieter Posts: 1,613
    edited 2009-02-12 01:35
    I agree with Brian in that the SpinStudio is nice, especially if you want to "Plug and Play" the hardware. The Protoboard is also a great way to get start with minimal investment. As you skills and confidence grows (through reading the forums and doing the labs) you can invest in more expensive parts like the PPDB (Propeller professional development board).

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    Timothy D. Swieter, E.I.
    www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, uOLED-IOC, eProto for SunSPOT, BitScope
    www.tdswieter.com
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-02-12 01:43
    I'll third the SpinStudio stuff.

    If you are feeling real adventurous, you can easily add SpinStudio sockets to the Protoboard.
    (Docs are on the uController.com site)

    OBC

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    New to the Propeller?

    Check out: Protoboard Introduction , Propeller Cookbook 1.4 & Software Index
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-02-12 01:55
    I have spinstudio and love it. Wish every devlopment board i used was built like that.
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-02-12 02:08
    I really like the Propeller Professional Development board. I haven't tried the Spin Studio line yet, though.
  • RICoderRICoder Posts: 91
    edited 2009-02-12 05:18
    I just got into the prop chip myself and had the same question in my head, ultimately I went with the Propeller Education Kit USB, and am very happy with it. Spin Studio is probably a great option, but it is also $100 more, and I personally wasn't interested in the VGA or other various ports, so that will affect your decision.

    The nice thing about the USB version vs. the DIP version is that the prop chip that comes with it is complete (meaning it has the EEPROM, power regulation and USB port built into it), so you just add raw power and you're done.

    Programming on the other hand, well, someone should write a book like "Propeller Programming for Dummies" [noparse]:)[/noparse] But the samples with the kit will certainly get you on your way.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-02-12 10:56
    I got started on the cheaper Prop Proto Board. Suggest you get the USB version (wasnt available back then). If you think you may want to add VGA and keyboard and mouse, buy the addon parts also. First, I tested with a LED (see OBC's signature for a link). I fitted a VGA socket removed from an old motherboard - not elegant! But it hides the mouse/keyboard port. You can add pins for the spin studio boards later.

    You have to start somewhere, and this is a cheap entry.

    Shipping cost was about the cost of the board, so I bought 2. Glad I did.
    There are a lot of small Spin Studio boards to add functions like SD cards, etc.

    Whatever you decide, you will not be sorry smile.gif

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    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps (SixBladeProp)
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators (Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100) - index
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)

    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz
  • pdiefendpdiefend Posts: 27
    edited 2009-02-12 17:45
    Thanks guys, this helps alot.



    Phil
  • telluriantellurian Posts: 52
    edited 2009-02-12 17:51
    Go for the Propeller Education Kit 40 Pin version, it is a great value and very versatile it will allow you to experiment with your own designs. The problem with kits like the SpinStudio is that they only provide a canned experience. You have to buy all these add ons, and run the canned code for them. You will outgrow it quickly. The Prop Education Kit allows you to quickly prototype all sorts of stuff beyond the canned modules SpinStudio provides (cheaper too). The breadboard alone in the Propeller Education Kit is worth it, not to mention the Prop USB Plug that comes with it that you can use for all of your projects! One poster recommended the USB Stick version of this kit. That is fine too, but be aware thet the 3.3v regulator on the chip/stick version can only source a little bit of current for your peripherals. For example with a 9V supply at room temperature that regulator can only supply 84ma to drive the chip and any peripherals, that is barely enough to supply the chip alone when it is running 8 cogs full tilt! On the other hand the regulators with the 40 pin version can give you 400 - 500ma, up to 1amp if you use a heatsink.

    have fun!
    tellurian
  • sylvie369sylvie369 Posts: 1,622
    edited 2009-02-12 18:30
    tellurian said...
    Go for the Propeller Education Kit 40 Pin version, it is a great value and very versatile it will allow you to experiment with your own designs.

    And it's $20 off if you order it today.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-02-12 18:44
    @Tellurian: If you are referring to the Prop Proto Board with USB, you should check the schematics. The board runs with an external supply >7V and has 5V and 3v3 regulators 1.5A (not that you could draw that unless adequately heatsinked). It is not powered from the USB.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps (SixBladeProp)
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators (Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100) - index
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)

    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz
  • telluriantellurian Posts: 52
    edited 2009-02-12 19:03
    Cluso99 said...
    @Tellurian: If you are referring to the Prop Proto Board with USB, you should check the schematics. The board runs with an external supply >7V and has 5V and 3v3 regulators 1.5A (not that you could draw that unless adequately heatsinked). It is not powered from the USB.

    ? The web site does not mention a separate 3.3v regulator. in fact the "USB setup" PDF states

    ====<snip>=====
    The PE Platform is a 3.3 V system. The 5 V regulator shown Figure 1 supplies the PropStick USB
    module with 5 V, which the PropStick USB regulates down to 3.3 V for both its onboard components
    and circuits you will build on the breadboards.
    ====(end snip>===

    I guess they just shipped a 3.3v regulator with yours, maybe it is standard but the documentation does not indicate it. In fact I cannot find a schematic that shows the separate 3.3v regulator, just the 5v regulator to drive the USB Stick which then sources 3.3v for all periperal circuits.

    Maybe they ship different documentation and parts? I only have the 40 pin version of the kit. You said you have the USB Stick version did you get a separate 3.3v regulator too (and different schematics from what are on the web site)? You are referring to item # 32306 right?

    EDIT: Opps sorry Cluso99, smhair.gif I see that you said you have the protoboard, not the PE Kit ... sorry. I don't think the Prop Stick version of the kit comes with a 3.3v regulator though. Perhaps someone that has one can tell us.

    Post Edited (tellurian) : 2/12/2009 7:23:21 PM GMT
  • smbakersmbaker Posts: 164
    edited 2009-02-12 19:03
    I started out with the propeller education kit, because I felt that breadboarding the entire project was closer to the design process than starting out with a board that had a large number of peripherals pre-built.

    However.... a few weeks back when they had a special on the professional developer boards, I picked up one of those and haven't looked back. That thing is very nice and speeds development right along. During many projects you'll find it handy to have a few of those peripherals, like the VGA port or the TV RCA jack, and it's nice to have them preassembled and ready for you. The pro has plenty of buttons, leds, displays, etc. It also feels sturdy and well constructed.

    A further plus of the pro board is that it uses the 40-pin socketed DIP version of the chip whereas some of the other boards do not. Although I haven't blown a chip yet, it's nice to know it can be replaced if I ever burn out an IO pin.

    EDIT: I forgot to mention... Another bonus of the Pro board is that it does offer access to all of the IO pins and the peripherals are not pre-connected, so you're not forced into a canned situation where you have specific peripherals connected to specific pins.

    Post Edited (smbaker) : 2/12/2009 7:09:40 PM GMT
  • telluriantellurian Posts: 52
    edited 2009-02-12 19:15
    smbaker said...
    However.... a few weeks back when they had a special on the professional developer boards, I picked up one of those and haven't looked back. That thing is very nice and speeds development right along. During many projects you'll find it handy to have a few of those peripherals, like the VGA port or the TV RCA jack, and it's nice to have them preassembled and ready for you. The pro has plenty of buttons, leds, displays, etc. It also feels sturdy and well constructed.

    I think you are right ... this board is great, if you are more budget minded (i.e. tight wad like me) the Propeller Education Kit (40 pin version) it is. Good point too about if you fry the Prop, it is cheaper to replace a 40 pin Prop chip than a USB Stick version. (and note, I am not knocking anyone's choices ... just mentioning my own reasoning smile.gif ).

    tellurian (Allen)
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