Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
BS2 Vs. Prop — Parallax Forums

BS2 Vs. Prop

gennarobasso81gennarobasso81 Posts: 84
edited 2012-06-21 07:18 in General Discussion
So general question....which is better to work with the Basic stamp series or the propeller?

Back ground to the question is:

I'm am very very new to the world of electornics and mircroprocessors....only doing it for a hobby. Self taught 100%.

Is it worth spending countless hours learning Pbasic only to outgrow the BS2?

Or is it worth the background in BS2 before getting into the Prop series?

All opinions are welcomed

Thanks :)

Comments

  • Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
    edited 2012-06-20 18:04
    That is a tough one. In truth you cam get a prop with and use one of several good basic interpreters. It is cheaper too. That said, the basic stamp $30 starter with an old version of 'what is a micro controller' wil prove to be an easier introduction. If you are truly starting from scratch, get the bs2 starter set. Upgrading to prop later is way cheap and there is even a bs2 function library in spin,
  • gennarobasso81gennarobasso81 Posts: 84
    edited 2012-06-20 18:09
    Thank you for ur response Invent-O-Doc...

    Currently i have a BS2 homework board and I bouth the BOE BOT with the BS2...so i have been learning on that. I am starting with the smart sensors now...just added the Ping dar. LOL...and recently printed out the PBasic language manual....some light reading before bed
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-06-20 19:18
    When I started using microcontrollers a few years ago I purchased both the Propeller and the BS2. I personally wish I hadn't spent money on the BS2 since the Prop can do anything the a BS2 can do and the Propeller (usually) costs less and is way more powerful than any of the Basic Stamps.

    I think you'll get tired of only doing one thing at a time with the BS2. It's really nice to be able to control servos, make sounds, read sensors and bunch of other things all at the same time with a Propeller.

    I can understand when people suggest learning to use a Basic Stamp first, but I personally think you'd be better off starting with the Prop.
  • gennarobasso81gennarobasso81 Posts: 84
    edited 2012-06-20 19:28
    Duane,

    I was kind of thinking along those lines myself. I think the BS2 is a nice father-son hobby project type of platform.

    How about the spin language...thoughts on the spin vs the newer c/c++ propeller?
  • User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
    edited 2012-06-20 19:38
    Nobody is a bigger fan of C than I am. But Spin is such a great fit for the Prop that I really wouldn't bother with anything else, initially. At some point you could look at C as well as PASM, FORTH, and BASIC. But not right off. And maybe not at all.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-06-20 20:02
    User Name wrote: »
    Spin is such a great fit for the Prop that I really wouldn't bother with anything else, initially.

    I agree. Spin is pretty easy language to learn. I think it's the best best choice right now since there are so many objects writen in Spin. I also think it would be easier to get help when coding in Spin than the other languages since most of the Prop users use Spin.
  • Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
    edited 2012-06-20 20:34
    Spin isn't so bad. Using the objects in the library let's youdo a lot of powerful things right away.
  • markaericmarkaeric Posts: 282
    edited 2012-06-21 00:00
    In many ways, I found the Propeller to be both easier and more educational than the BS.

    At the very least, take a look at the Propeller Fundamentals PDF. I think it's a great start, and you can also see a little bit of what you would be getting into.
    http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/prop/PELabsFunBook-v1.1.pdf
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-06-21 02:17
    If "What's A Microcontroller?" kits are still on sale for $30, start there.

    The Propeller is wonderful and will do much more, but the BasicStamp2 has a course of study that will easily fit into your comfort zone.
  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2012-06-21 06:05
    One very nice thing with the BS2 is that it's 5V, and therefore interfaces more easily with a lot of things than the Propeller.
    (Usually, you just need an extra 1K resistor or something to get the Propeller to interface, but still...)
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-06-21 07:18
    Gadgetman wrote: »
    (Usually, you just need an extra 1K resistor or something to get the Propeller to interface, but still...)

    FYI, The 1K resistor has been revised to something around 3K.

    Page 25 of the datasheet "Max. DC current into an input pin with internal protection diode forward biased | +/- 500uA."

    I think this works out to be a little under 3K ohms at 5V with 3.3K being the nearest commonly available resistor to this value.

    With so many 3.3V devices now, I think the Prop allows more connection options rather than fewer when compared with the BS2. I've found very few 5V devices that wont accept 3.3V as logic high, and the series resistor makes it easy for the Prop to accept 5V input logic.
Sign In or Register to comment.