Help with starting out

kuskus78 · 2011-11-07 04:47

Hello Everyone,

I'm new here and first time post.

I just started getting into electronics/robotics and programming. I readnuts& volts and servo.

I would like to get a great well rounded started kit that can be upgraded andexpanded has my knowledge grows. I have seen many different starter kits fromParallax, Ardunino, Pololu and so on.....

So I guess Im looking for a kit that will teach, have assembly and can beupgraded as time goes on and will give me a good well rounded knowledge?

What kit would you recommend and why? What programming language should I learnand why?

Thanks for your time, John

prof_braino · 2011-11-07 06:04

Welcome to the forums!

Any will do, your own persistance is the only critical factor. Any set of tools has advantages and disadvantages, and no single tools does everything for everyone.

If you like to program in C and don't need so much oomph in the micro controller, then the arduinos are fine. There are a lot of parts for these and they are popular.

If you like 8 cores on one device the prop is a very fun choise. But, you have to learn SPIN language at least at first. There are C options for the prop, these are in various phases of development. Of course, C is more generic and is not tailored to the prop like SPIN is.

If you choose the prop option, you will have more in common with the community that frequents this forum. This is a huge advantage over any other envirnment to me. When I had problems with AVR parts, I was pretty much on my own, and those projects have been on hold indefinately. On the prop forums, there are whole groups of folks that form teams and investigate issues. I have not noticed this anywhere else (but then again I don't spend so much time looking, since I'm comfortanble here).

ElectricAye · 2011-11-07 07:19

Welcome!

If you need to start with something simpler, then I personally would suggest looking into learning with the What's a Microcontroller? literature and learn to program the Basic Stamp BS2.

http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/edu/28123-WAM-v3.0.pdf

There are lots of free downloads on Parallax.com :

http://www.parallax.com/go/WAM

Some of these kits might even be available at your local Radio Shack by now:
http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampProgrammingKits/tabid/136/ProductID/327/List/0/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName

For something more advanced, check out the Propeller chip, check out this page, especially the PE Labs link:

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?89958-Propeller-Education-Kit-Labs-Tools-and-Applications

Also, this forum might be able to provide lots of help when you find yourself stuck.

Enjoy!

Ravenkallen · 2011-11-07 08:47

I started with the Basic Stamp, but i soon wanted to embed uC's in projects and i couldn't use a $50 chip every time. I then checked out and Picaxe and was very happy with what i found. They are all very inexpensive, come in different sizes(8 pin all the way up to 40 pin) and used a language very similar to PBASIC.

http://www.picaxe.com/What-is-PICAXE/

I would highly recommend them for a beginner... But, the time came when i need more power and the Propeller was my next choice. It might be a little harder to catch on to, but in the end, you have a microcontroller system that is very flexible and also pretty inexpensive. I also have an Arduino and i do use it occasionally. My favorite feature of the Arduino is the use of stack able shields. They have a shield for practically everything. I say, start out with something easy and then move up to the Propeller or Arduino. Maybe get both:)

Duane Degn · 2011-11-07 09:30

I started with the Basic Stamp but I wish I has saved my money and just started with the Propeller.

The Propeller is much more powerful than the Basic Stamp or Arduino. The Propeller is much less expensive than the Basic Stamp (and I think most Propeller boards are less expensive than Arduino boards, I'm not sure about this though).

You ought to look through the first couple pages or the Propeller forum and see what kind of questions beginners are asking. You'll see beginners are very welcome in the Propeller forum and people are very willing to help others get started with the Propeller.

A QuickStart board is $25. I've collected some of the projects I and others have done with the QS in this thread.

The only problem with not starting with a different controller is you wont realize how great the Propeller is in comparison when you do finally make the switch.

It's too bad there isn't a "What's a Microcontroller" using the Propeller but you can still download WAM and use the Propeller instead of a Basic Stamp. If you have trouble converting the BS code to Spin just ask in the forum and people will be jump over each other trying to be the first to help you.

The Propeller does have a "Propeller Education Kit" (also free) which is included in the help menu of the Propeller Tool (programing GUI). The PEK is also availble to download by itself. It walks you through setting up and programming the Propeller.

Okay, enough (for now) about the Propeller. You'll get lots of help here no matter what Parallax chip you choose. I think the other uCs also have forums (not as good Parallax's).

Duane

kuskus78 · 2011-11-09 17:09

Thanks to all of you for the great information. I just bought the BASIC Stamp Discovery Kit, let the fun begin. I'm sure i'll be back with more question in the future.

Thanks again, John

Whit · 2011-11-09 17:20

Great choice John! Have fun and come back with all your questions! You'll find lots of folks here willing to help.

Help with starting out

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