QuickStart expansion
Rsadeika
Posts: 3,837
I was thinking about different ways to expand the QuickStart board. I am really starting to like the mini-boards that Futurlec has to offer, thinking that maybe stacking the boards as an expansion method. I have worked with the RTC mini-board that they have, so I am somewhat familiar with it.
The expansion that I can visualize, for the QS, is EEPROM, SD, Flash memory, and an RTC mini-boards. Since I am working with PropGCC, there is now a driver for the EEPROM board and SD, the RTC board has some Spin driver selections. The Flash memory board is the only one that concerns me, not sure if there are drivers that could be used with C, or even Spin. The only mini-board that they do not have is a 3.3V power supply, that would have cinched my decision.
The other problem would be the cabling between the QS board, and the mini-boards, that could become confusing down the line.
I know that there is a very limited amount of expansion boards that are available, in a kit form, at the moment, I like to deal with a finished product at a reasonable price, which Futurlec has. Any ideas as to a better way for expanding on the QS, without having to create your boards or equivalents?
Ray
The expansion that I can visualize, for the QS, is EEPROM, SD, Flash memory, and an RTC mini-boards. Since I am working with PropGCC, there is now a driver for the EEPROM board and SD, the RTC board has some Spin driver selections. The Flash memory board is the only one that concerns me, not sure if there are drivers that could be used with C, or even Spin. The only mini-board that they do not have is a 3.3V power supply, that would have cinched my decision.
The other problem would be the cabling between the QS board, and the mini-boards, that could become confusing down the line.
I know that there is a very limited amount of expansion boards that are available, in a kit form, at the moment, I like to deal with a finished product at a reasonable price, which Futurlec has. Any ideas as to a better way for expanding on the QS, without having to create your boards or equivalents?
Ray
Comments
I'd be interested in knowing which boards at Futurlec look promising to you.
There was a thread in the Propeller forum a little over a week ago about add on boards for the QuickStart. I think there were several good suggestions made in the thread.
I saw that thread when it got posted, that is what got me to thinking. As I mentioned, a finished product, not a kit form. I think a lot of people are over estimating the popularity of kits, as needed, in the general population. Just keep thinking the Arduino phenomenon, it still amazes me that you can get a full functioning board for ~$50.00, and fully assembled expansion boards, on average, maybe around $40 or less.
So, cost is one issue that I have, but the availability of a whole slew of expansion boards is another, after all, the QS has been around for a couple of years? Where is the enthusiasm for any and everything that is QS?
Ray
Rayman sells several QS add on boards. You do have to solder the through hole components but I think that's also common with shields. I bet Rayman could be talked into soldering these as well for a few extra dollars.
It's hard to see someone being able to do much in robotics (or electronics) without being willing to solder some. I don't see an issue with requiring some assembly of the boards Jeff and GG provide.
I used to keep track of the enthusiasm here (also listed in "Similar Threads").
I've lost track of the number of QS board I have (I'm sure it's over six).
I agree it would be nice to see more ready made add on boards but I hope (for my marriage's sake) additional boards don't increase my enthusiasm for the QS.
OBC, GG, Ray, and soon myself, have some QuickStart add-ons.
Regarding the Arduino, and its shields, I doubt you will find many Prop expansion boards anywhere near those prices. Why?
Volume.
There are factories in Asia cranking out Arduino shields by the tens/hundreds of thousands; with much cheaper cost for components, lower shipping costs, and lower labor costs - which also affect testing and coumentation costs.
Often those same factories sell direct through Ebay or another channel, which costs them just over 12% in Ebay and PayPal fees, contrasted to US distribution expecting 35%-50% off MSRP.
At this time, there are simply not enough propeller users out there to support a large aftermarket of assembled and tested add-on boards.
To make a nice surface mount board, and get it assembled and tested overseas at a reasonable cost, you need to make at least 500 boards. With the current propeller market, it will take a very long time to sell 500 QS add-on's; meanwhile, the producer has the inventory costs of having produced the boards, with no guarantee that even one will sell.
Mind you... A prop based board can do a lot more than an Arduino.
Hopte this helps,
Bill
Bill hit this right on the head.. We brought in 50 VGAplus boards and between individual sales and PMC combo orders, we have 5 left in stock after a couple months. 500 boards would take us the entire year to move based on current sales, the end result being that we could probably get a better return on bank interest. Don't take this as a complaint, it's just the reality of the size of the QS market right now.
Jeff
Ray
I think you could translate the responses on this thread as "Jump in!." If you are considering the creation of some mini-boards for the Quickstart, I'm sure they will be welcome. At the same time, do it with the understanding that you probably won't see the kind of numbers that Arduino products have and plan accordingly.
Jeff
Would you say 50pcs would be a good ball park figure for a new add-on board for quick-start?
I interpreted your original post as asking "why are there not more low priced assembled and tested QuickStart expansion boards".
Which is why I tried to explain the economics of why there are not more such expansion boards - I was trying to help. So was OBC,
Duane was pointing you to some existing QS shields.
Bill
Based on the movement I've tracked between GG and PP shipping this last year, yes.. That would be a safe bet.
Jeff
Thanks Jeff. Hope its not too late for one more add-on for QS ...