I would have to say if you are just beginning, the Basic Stamp Activity kit is a great start. The text :What's a Microcontroller is a well written tutorial for the beginner.
It's out of stock for another week, but if you order now, it's only $29.99, ($40.00 off).
You can also check your local Radio Shack or Microcenter for it. I don't know if Fry's carries it.
If you're starting from zero background, the BS2 Activity Kit is a smoking deal at $30. If you want the Propeller, the $60 Propeller Starter kit is a bargain. Both on amazing discount now!
I'm totally biased, and this has not been well tested, but may II suggest my project.
The LittleRobot project is an intro to embedded micro controller systems. It uses the Prop, and the absolute cheapest set of parts to build a fully functional mobile robotic platform, with sensors and actuator. Its not the faster or physically powerful, but will let one get started, and every parts can be used in professional application development.
The project currently used propforth, which is an interactive environment that runs directly on the prop. You don't need a PC after the initial programming of the propforth firmware into the Prop EEprom. After than, you can write and save programs directly on the prop. All you need is a terminal program, I use a netbook and an Android Phone running BlueTerm.
You can buy the key parts for under $20 directly from China, or you can get a complete kit for $50 (about $50, I haven't gotten all the parts in this round of kits yet)
From here you can upgrade to "real" bots if you become addicted, which you probably will, its really fun.
Get the 40pin "DIP" Propeller Education Kit. My experience is that I knew absolutely nothing from nothing... couldn't tell you the difference between +12V and -12V.
Spin is absolutely the best micro-controller language on the planet but you can't use it unless you have a Propeller... the object exchange is where people post coding solutions for
functionality that you can't even imagine exists or what it might be used for... and it all opens up for you work as you work your way through the kit.
The best kit depends on your current level of experience and what you want to do. The Basic Stamp Activity Kit is a good place to start if you are new or want to do simpler things while the Propeller is good if you have experience or want more capability.
What is the best beginners micro-controller kit to start learning about how to program and use these?
If you are thinking prop, PEK on the cheap....... Download the "Lab Manual" that is the PEK book, buy a chip and a handful of supporting parts and have fun learning. This may be the least cost way.
Or buy any of at least a dozen flavors of prop dev boards from some of the others on this site.....
BAnderson
Posts: 9
Comments
It's out of stock for another week, but if you order now, it's only $29.99, ($40.00 off).
You can also check your local Radio Shack or Microcenter for it. I don't know if Fry's carries it.
Welcome to the forums!
The LittleRobot project is an intro to embedded micro controller systems. It uses the Prop, and the absolute cheapest set of parts to build a fully functional mobile robotic platform, with sensors and actuator. Its not the faster or physically powerful, but will let one get started, and every parts can be used in professional application development.
The project currently used propforth, which is an interactive environment that runs directly on the prop. You don't need a PC after the initial programming of the propforth firmware into the Prop EEprom. After than, you can write and save programs directly on the prop. All you need is a terminal program, I use a netbook and an Android Phone running BlueTerm.
You can buy the key parts for under $20 directly from China, or you can get a complete kit for $50 (about $50, I haven't gotten all the parts in this round of kits yet)
From here you can upgrade to "real" bots if you become addicted, which you probably will, its really fun.
http://code.google.com/p/propforth/
Spin is absolutely the best micro-controller language on the planet but you can't use it unless you have a Propeller... the object exchange is where people post coding solutions for
functionality that you can't even imagine exists or what it might be used for... and it all opens up for you work as you work your way through the kit.
Don't listen to anybody else... get the PEKit!!!
Rich
If you are thinking prop, PEK on the cheap....... Download the "Lab Manual" that is the PEK book, buy a chip and a handful of supporting parts and have fun learning. This may be the least cost way.
Or buy any of at least a dozen flavors of prop dev boards from some of the others on this site.....
FF