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New to Robotics, what should I get? — Parallax Forums

New to Robotics, what should I get?

DesslokDesslok Posts: 22
edited 2010-03-20 22:15 in Robotics
Hi all,
···· I am new to robotics.· I have been interested for years, and almost bought the Basic stamp learning kit and the BOE-Bot a couple times.· Now I have decided to get something to learn on.· If I understand correctly, Parallax is trying to push forward with the Propellor chip.· So my question is what should I get?· Should I get the BOE-bot to learn on?· Or will it be obsolete soon and should I rather learn on the propellor platform, even though the kits seem harder to find?·I have some basic scripting experience in Windows and Unix,·but not· alot.· I also have experience with servos from building R/C airplanes.· Please any help would be appreciated, I was thinking of stopping at Fry's on the way home so I can start learning this weekend.


TIA

Comments

  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2010-03-19 16:34
    Definitely BoeBot & Stamp to start. Propeller & Stingray are not for beginners. You can't go wrong with a BoeBot. Also if you can find a used Scribbler for $50 (Ebay), that's a good place to start, although it's more work to hack into than a BoeBot.

    Later, when you're ready, PropBasic is a new way to program the Propeller, good for transitioning. The Scribbler 2 will be out later this year, that is Prop-based but will also have a simple GUI for beginners.

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    ·"If you build it, they will come."
  • DesslokDesslok Posts: 22
    edited 2010-03-19 16:57
    Ok thanks for the response. That is kind of what I thought. I don't want to get frustrated and struggle trying to learn something too advanced. But at the same time didn't want to learn something that may be osolete soon. I think I may just pick up the Boe-bot on the way home, since i know Frys has them in stock and I am eager to get started this weekend. I'll look into that PropBasic after I get familiar with everything the Boe-bot can do.
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2010-03-20 01:52
    Desslok,

    Great! Let us know how it goes.

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
  • DesslokDesslok Posts: 22
    edited 2010-03-20 02:15
    OK I stopped at Frys and picked up the Boe-bot, I am really excited to open it and get to work. I'll keep you posted. The Sumo bot looked pretty cool too.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2010-03-20 03:27
    Fry's! Sounds like one of them California boys! [noparse]:)[/noparse]

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    ·"If you build it, they will come."
  • DesslokDesslok Posts: 22
    edited 2010-03-20 04:52
    You make it sound like there is anywhere else to livesmile.gif
    erco said...
    Fry's! Sounds like one of them California boys! [noparse]:)[/noparse]

  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2010-03-20 05:31
    I'm livin' & lovin' Torrance!

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    ·"If you build it, they will come."
  • MikerocontrollerMikerocontroller Posts: 310
    edited 2010-03-20 06:53
    @erco: do you haunt the Manhattan Beach Fry's (the "Polynesian themed" store)? Meet me in the parking lot and don't forget to bring the F-35 sensors that you (and Whit) promised me. This is the store where I bought my first Stamp. I started my "computer fever" phase at the North Hollywood Fry's ("alien invasion themed" store). Many trips back and forth to buy cache memory chips and controller cards for the old 486 computer! That store has a scaled-down ( but still very large) F-86 Fighter. From what I understand all the Fry's have a "theme". The San Diego Fry's seems to have a space ship interior theme.
    @Desslok: Have fun....you made the right choice!
  • Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
    edited 2010-03-20 07:03
    3 cheers for the smallest FRYS store .. Peter formally from LA

    Peter KG6LSE

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    "Carpe Ducktum" "seize the tape!!"
    peterthethinker.com/tesla/Venom/Venom.html
    Never underestimate the bandwidth of a station wagon full of tapes hurtling down the highway. —Tanenbaum, Andrew S.
    LOL
  • Martin_HMartin_H Posts: 4,051
    edited 2010-03-20 11:21
    You Californians make it sound like there's something wrong with months of cold, darkness, snow, sleet, and cursing at that darn groundhog and his shadow issues.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2010-03-20 16:30
    @Martin_H: Yeah, all this nasty sunshine & warm winter weather takes its toll on a person! Here, the first day of spring is just another day in a long string of gorgeous days.

    @Mikero & Peter: Yep, I'm a MB Fry's fan, a great source for everything except electronic components. Oh, they have everything imaginable, but it's so poorly·organized that even·the sales staff can't find anything!·Like you, I learned to build computers with Fry's mobos, back in the Win98 days. These days, it's hard to beat·prebuilt PC package prices, even from Office Depot, where I got my current Compaq.

    @Desslok: After you get your Boebot operating, download the info from http://forums.parallax.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=36151·and make your bot remote controlled using an IR remote. Good info there.

    @Whit: Did YOU promise Mikero those F-35 sensors?

    I think I've addressed everyone here now!

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    ·"If you build it, they will come."
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2010-03-20 18:04
    erco said...

    @Whit: Did YOU promise Mikero those F-35 sensors?

    It wasn't me...

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
  • DesslokDesslok Posts: 22
    edited 2010-03-20 22:15
    erco said...

    @Desslok: After you get your Boebot operating, download the info from http://forums.parallax.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=36151·and make your bot remote controlled using an IR remote. Good info there.

    OK Cool, thanks for the info Erco.· I was hoping I could control this remotely somehow as I am used to R/C planes.· I'm guessing I can probably use my 6 channel airplane controller at some point?·· Yeah this summer has been pretty nice.·· Took my kids to a pool party a week ago to cool off.· I just wished I fixed my A/C in my car earlier, since it was in the upper 80s here last week.· And on the Frys themes, I go to the main San Diego one, I know hte North County San Diego store has like an Egyption theme, looks more like a store you would see in Vegas.
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