RN-42 Bluetooth Module

robot64x

I wish to know if this RN-42 Bluetooth module, can we do wireless programming be it PBasic/ Visual Basic or RobotBASIC and also remote control the Boe-Bot using the keyboard?

If yes, then what's the difference between this product compared when using FlashFly Adapter + Xbee modules?

Which is more economical?

Thank you.

Mike Green

The RN-42 Bluetooth cannot do wireless PBasic programming. The only currently available wireless device known to work this way is the FlashFly adapter + xBee modules. There are other wireless modules now with the same form-factor and pin-out as the xBee modules like some of Digi's WiFi and Bluetooth modules and Roving Networks' WiFly modules. It is unknown whether these can be used for programming a Stamp using the FlashFly adapter. Since you can't use Visual Basic or RobotBASIC to program Stamps, that part of your question doesn't make sense.

You can certainly use the RN-42 Bluetooth module to wirelessly communicate data between a PC program and a Stamp program. I say it that way because the Stamp program is in control. You can write the program so that a "R" makes the BoeBot turn right and a "L" makes the BoeBot turn left. A "F" may make the BoeBot go forwards a little while a "R" may make it go backwards. It all depends on your program.

In terms of your "economical" question ... it depends on what you need. Bluetooth has much more limited range than xBee. Since most PCs now have built-in Bluetooth, you only need one RN-42 module for the BoeBot. If you use xBee, you need a module and adapter for the PC as well. The xBee-like WiFi modules have more range than the standard xBee modules and you only would need one for the BoeBot, but they use more power.