I would get started by looking at the free stuff ... the documentation that's available to download for free. "What's a Microcontroller?" is the introduction to Parallax microcontrollers and programming the Basic Stamps as well as an introduction to simple hardware. The Propeller Education Kit Labs is a similar introduction to the Propeller. The new "getting started" website is also a good place to start.
In terms of which things to buy ... as Jeff indicated ... it depends a lot on what you're interested in. Talk a bit about that first and we'll make some suggestions.
The big decision is whether you want to go directly into using the Propeller, or want the tamer BasicStamp2.
The BasicStamp2 has been around for a long time and has a great deal of support for people that are completely new to microcontrolllers or are a bit timid about electronics and programming. It is programed in PBasic
The Propeller can do a heck of a lot more if you are up to the challenges of having 8 micro-processors in parallel on one device. If you are familiar with C programing, the Propeller supports two version of C -- Catalina C and GCC. There is the Propeller's own language, called SPIN. And there is assembler. The Propeller will support a keyboard, a mouse, and a VGA monitor in color working together.
And if you're completely new to Programming (though if you're new to Parallax, this might be good still) - we have a podcast called First Spin (http://firstspin.tv) where we go through the manual and talk about Spin, one of the programming languages used with the Propeller chip.
I'm new to Parallax. So what should I buy. How do I get started.
My entry into the world of Parallax and electronic in general started with an impulse buy of the Parallax BOE-Bot from Radio Shack! Who new that little wheeled bot would start me down this path but I am hooked now!
My advice is just jump in anywhere and follow what interests you most from there!
I have basic knowledge in robots and electronics. I know what most stuff is. I have a background in programming and web dev
You're ahead of the curve then! PM me your address and I'll send you one of my spare QuickStart Boards. That will get you started without any cost. Once you get your feet wet with the propeller, you'll know which direction to go. The downloads page has everything you need from books and manuals to software.
I've listed a few "How to Program the Propeller" resources in post #3 of my index.
If you take up Paul's very generous offer of a QuickStart board (there's no such thing as a "spare" QuickStart) have look at some of the things you can do with a QuickStart in this thread.
A note about the warranty on the PropBOE. The warranty doesn't cover user error just original quality and workmanship. Though they did replace the PropBOE I managed to fry.
A not about the warranty on the PropBOE. The warranty doesn't cover user error just original quality and workmanship. Though they did replace the PropBOE I managed to fry.
Mostly my dev boards are sitting idle at the moment. I have found it easier to just wire up a dip unit in the middle of my bread board and go from there. Just seemed more reliable, and less noise as I play with all the variants of ADC DAC and supporting circuits. Just duplicate the layout (perhaps more centered) than that in the prop education kit manual (don't buy, download for free; spend your money with them on sensor modules etc.)
So should I get just a board of edu. Connect it to a 9 volt battery. I have some leds and a usb cord. Would that work. I don't want spend $129 on something that doesn't work
The Propeller Board of Education is well made. It should "just work". If not, Parallax will replace or repair it until it does. I suggest you use an AC adapter for any serious work since 9V batteries don't last long. LEDs are nice to experiment with, but the Board does come with a bunch of peripherals already. There's a socket for an xBee or WiFly module, a micro-SD card socket, a VGA socket with LED indicators, ADC and DACs with LED indicators, microphone, stereo headphone adapter, and a breadboard socket. To get started, you just need the Board and a USB cable. The Board can get power from the USB port. You can use it with Windows, Linux, or the MacOS although some of the software will only work with Windows (the Propeller Tool and Serial Terminal program). The beta of the GCC C compiler and its SimpleIDE will run on any of those operating systems and can compile Spin / Assembly as well as C / C++.
You can get an AC adapter from Parallax, or just pick one up a RadioShack. The PropBOE will also run off the USB power alone, if you want it to, though it can't source very much current. (e.g, you couldn't drive a motor off of it)
The Prop BOE takes a wide range of voltages (4-16V). Parallax sells a 7.5V 1A AC adapter. If you're going to get one elsewhere, I'd make sure it's rated for 1A or more and has a compatible connector (2.1mm center positive plug).
So should I get just a board of edu. Connect it to a 9 volt battery. I have some leds and a usb cord. Would that work. I don't want spend $129 on something that doesn't work
Brandan, it'll work. And if you aren't happy, you can return it anytime for a full credit.
The Propeller BOE is expensive, but think about what it has on it: most everything you'll need to develop a great hobby or profession. XBee, A/D, D/A, LEDs, servo/sensor ports, microphone/amplifier, VGA, etc. If you had to buy a single board and accessory "stackers" you'd quickly exceed this cost to get the same functionality, and it may not even be multicore.
Learn.parallax.com is the place to go too. We're just about to release more examples and projects there, too.
Is xbee included or is the board simply socketed for an add-on module at additional cost? If included as you state above, that would be an awsome price for the kit!!
These days, the AC adapter is a 7.5VDC wall wart. I think the usual is 1 amp. But the BOE will work with a range of voltages due to the low drop out regulator.
The 'sweet spot' is between 7.0 VDC and 9.0 VDC. This provides an adequate range to use a variety of battery packs.
The Xbee would be an additional cost regardless of which you buy. The advantage is that the socket provides the best possible connection to it. Just plug it in, no loose wires.
Any purchases of $100USD or more have a 10% discount right now.
Loopy, Are you sure about this "sweet spot"? The PropBOE uses a switching regulator that can both boost and buck and can accept voltages from 4V to 16V (as Mike stated above). Is there any documentation to suggest 7-9V is best? The few datasheets I've read on switching regulators suggested the regulators' efficiency dropped off at higher input voltages but the "sweet spot" looked like it was around 12V (input).
Sorry, I am still using Propeller Proto Boards and the LDO regulator likes 7-9V. I didn't know that Parallax has finally moved on from linear regulators.
That would imply that just about any DC wall wart that has the righ barrel plug might work. There are a lot of them out their from 5vdc to 12 vdc.
Is xbee included or is the board simply socketed for an add-on module at additional cost? If included as you state above, that would be an awsome price for the kit!!
Just wondering out loud,
Frank Freedman
Unfortunately no XBee is included, only the socket. Maybe you've just created a great promotion for us "Buy a PropBOE, get an XBee for free!"
I'm going to assume you meant can you connect a monitor to a BOE? To a VGA monitor - certainly!
I wanted to echo others here saying to get a Propeller BOE - I LOVE LOVE LOVE this board. The Xbee socket, as others have mentioned, is super convenient. There're a bunch of pins, ports, leds, and as others have mentioned you can use either the AC adapter, 9v battery, or usb cord to power this up. Our wallwart is 7.5V btw. And then of course there are all of the sensors that Parallax has like the compass module, ping sensor, altimeter module, text-to-speech, and many more.
We have documentation on pretty much all of the projects we've used with the Propeller Board of Education if you want to see what it can do:
brandan
Posts: 52
Comments
1) Have you any experience with other microcontrollers?
2) What are you interested in? Robotics, Video Gaming, Control Systems, etc?
Welcome to the forums!
Jeff
In terms of which things to buy ... as Jeff indicated ... it depends a lot on what you're interested in. Talk a bit about that first and we'll make some suggestions.
The BasicStamp2 has been around for a long time and has a great deal of support for people that are completely new to microcontrolllers or are a bit timid about electronics and programming. It is programed in PBasic
The Propeller can do a heck of a lot more if you are up to the challenges of having 8 micro-processors in parallel on one device. If you are familiar with C programing, the Propeller supports two version of C -- Catalina C and GCC. There is the Propeller's own language, called SPIN. And there is assembler. The Propeller will support a keyboard, a mouse, and a VGA monitor in color working together.
Welcome to the world of Parallax!!
My advice is just jump in anywhere and follow what interests you most from there!
Paul
if you have experience in robotics.
Perhaps look here: http://learn.parallax.com/
You may use :
* the very good Board of Education
* programm it in C with SimpleIDE and GCC
Cats
Welcome to the site BTW.
Paul
Quickstart or protoboard , they are cheapest. I use these most of the time.
If you take up Paul's very generous offer of a QuickStart board (there's no such thing as a "spare" QuickStart) have look at some of the things you can do with a QuickStart in this thread.
A note about the warranty on the PropBOE. The warranty doesn't cover user error just original quality and workmanship. Though they did replace the PropBOE I managed to fry.
Edit: I was wrong about the warranty. See below.
Have fun, learn lots.....
FF
Wow! How did I miss that?
Thanks for the correction.
Brandan, it'll work. And if you aren't happy, you can return it anytime for a full credit.
The Propeller BOE is expensive, but think about what it has on it: most everything you'll need to develop a great hobby or profession. XBee, A/D, D/A, LEDs, servo/sensor ports, microphone/amplifier, VGA, etc. If you had to buy a single board and accessory "stackers" you'd quickly exceed this cost to get the same functionality, and it may not even be multicore.
Learn.parallax.com is the place to go too. We're just about to release more examples and projects there, too.
Welcome to the forums, too!
Ken Gracey
Is xbee included or is the board simply socketed for an add-on module at additional cost? If included as you state above, that would be an awsome price for the kit!!
Just wondering out loud,
Frank Freedman
The 'sweet spot' is between 7.0 VDC and 9.0 VDC. This provides an adequate range to use a variety of battery packs.
The Xbee would be an additional cost regardless of which you buy. The advantage is that the socket provides the best possible connection to it. Just plug it in, no loose wires.
Any purchases of $100USD or more have a 10% discount right now.
Loopy, Are you sure about this "sweet spot"? The PropBOE uses a switching regulator that can both boost and buck and can accept voltages from 4V to 16V (as Mike stated above). Is there any documentation to suggest 7-9V is best? The few datasheets I've read on switching regulators suggested the regulators' efficiency dropped off at higher input voltages but the "sweet spot" looked like it was around 12V (input).
That would imply that just about any DC wall wart that has the righ barrel plug might work. There are a lot of them out their from 5vdc to 12 vdc.
Unfortunately no XBee is included, only the socket. Maybe you've just created a great promotion for us "Buy a PropBOE, get an XBee for free!"
I wanted to echo others here saying to get a Propeller BOE - I LOVE LOVE LOVE this board. The Xbee socket, as others have mentioned, is super convenient. There're a bunch of pins, ports, leds, and as others have mentioned you can use either the AC adapter, 9v battery, or usb cord to power this up. Our wallwart is 7.5V btw. And then of course there are all of the sensors that Parallax has like the compass module, ping sensor, altimeter module, text-to-speech, and many more.
We have documentation on pretty much all of the projects we've used with the Propeller Board of Education if you want to see what it can do:
http://youtube.com/whisk0r or http://tymkrs.tumblr.com - anything having to do with a prop is pretty much on the PropBOE