Microcenter thinks Parallax is Arduino?

blittled

I went over to Microcenter's site and the category they put the Parallax items in is Arduino Kits and Parts! http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.phtml?N=4294950341 Yes on the logistical side it makes sense to put all parts into an existing category but at least rename it! Associating Parallax with Arduino leaves a bad taste in my mouth . BTW I do use an Arduino rarely but the Propeller is much better!

doggiedoc

This is not necessarily a bad thing. Arduino types might stumble upon them that way and discover the greatness we take as a standard.

Paul

Martin_H

The Parallax sensors are popular with Arduino users, so it makes sense to include those. I've also seen a few Arduino-ized BOEBots on YouTube.

jdolecki

The one here in Illinois has Parallax product just layin on the shelves not even on wire hangers.

Although they did have a Ping bracket with servo that I picked up.

The sparkfun racks were half empty and a mess. They really never seem to get replenished just a few things at a time.

But I can pick up my issue of Robot magazine there.

LoopyByteloose

I suppose that if Parallax produced and sold their own versions of Arduinos it would pretty much end this great debate of pro and con. Of course, that would mean supporting AVR chips as well as Propellers, but if Parallax is really getting into producing what customers want over-the-counter in the USA - this may not be a bad thing.

Sales increase, market share secured, Parallax recognized as a better brand.

bsnut

Loopy Byteloose wrote: »

I suppose that if Parallax produced and sold their own versions of Arduinos it would pretty much end this great debate of pro and con. Of course, that would mean supporting AVR chips as well as Propellers, but if Parallax is really getting into producing what customers want over-the-counter in the USA - this may not be a bad thing.

Sales increase, market share secured, Parallax recognized as a better brand.

Every bit agreed.

Heater.

Given that the Arduino is an open source hardware design and using totally open source software then anybody can crank out Arduino boards and try to make some money. As far as I can tell there are already many Arduino suppliers, the margins on doing that must be very thin. I would imagine it would be very hard to make a business case for joining that battle. Also doing so just helps ATMEL shift AVR chips at the expense of Propeller sales. All in all not a very attractive proposition.

Further, as a Parallax customer I would prefer they devote their resources to the Prop, the Prop II, the associated dev tools and accessories. Burning up time and money on trying to join the Arduino market would be very poor from my customer perspective.

Martin_H

I agree that another Arduino clone is not needed. But some Parallax sensors could benefit from an Arduino example of their use. For example the line scan camera and the Arduino are a natural fit. The Propeller backpack as well. This is because many Arduino users don't have a knowledge of Spin or PBASIC and can't port those samples on their own.

RDL2004

Parallax sensors could benefit from an Arduino example of their use

Just in case anyone didn't know, Parallax provides hook up instructions and example code for the Arduino Uno (along with the Basic Stamp Homework Board and the Propeller QuickStart Board) for the sensors and accessories that are sold in retail stores. This is available at the Parallax KickStart site.


Link to Parallax KickStart site

Martin_H

Thanks for the pointer. That's certainly a good start.

4x5n

jdolecki wrote: »

The one here in Illinois has Parallax product just layin on the shelves not even on wire hangers.

Although they did have a Ping bracket with servo that I picked up.

The sparkfun racks were half empty and a mess. They really never seem to get replenished just a few things at a time.

But I can pick up my issue of Robot magazine there.

Which one in Illinois? As memory serves there are two in the Chicago area. One in the city proper and another one in Westmont. The display of microcontrollers and parts are will laid out and organized in the Westmont store.

I did get a Basic stamp board from Microcenter and was amused to see on the price tag that it's an Arduino! :-)

Jen J.

We are very pleased to be in Micro Center stores. They began bringing in Parallax microcontrollers and accessories late last year. The nice folks at Micro Center have been fun to work with and we look forward to a long relationship with them. Here are a few shots of Parallax products in their Columbus, Ohio, store.

ParallaxDisplayColumbus1.jpgParallaxDisplayColumbus2.jpgParallaxDisplayColumbus3.jpg

John A. Zoidberg

Jen J. wrote: »

We are very pleased to be in Micro Center stores. They began bringing in Parallax microcontrollers and accessories late last year. The nice folks at Micro Center have been fun to work with and we look forward to a long relationship with them. Here are a few shots of Parallax products in their Columbus, Ohio, store.

ParallaxDisplayColumbus1.jpgParallaxDisplayColumbus2.jpgParallaxDisplayColumbus3.jpg

Man, I wished I could see those in my local shopping center.

Jen J.

Here is an update from Brad at Micro Center, he welcomes your feedback:

“Micro Center is putting up separate Parallax sections in our stores. We will get to all stores soon. The attached photograph is from our store in Columbus Ohio.”
- Bradley Eft, Merchandise Manager, Micro Center. beft@microcenter.com

WBA Consulting

Parallax next to Lego...... +1

blittled

I'll have to check out the nearest Micro Center in Cleveland which is 2 hours away when weather gets better. At least my local Radio Shack finally got some Quickstarts. They are hanging on a pegboard with a large Arduino sign above them .