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Pololu Black Friday — Parallax Forums

Pololu Black Friday

ercoerco Posts: 20,256
edited 2013-11-27 13:28 in General Discussion
Always some good deals worth waking up for. But they are going to trickle out the information painfully slowly this year. UGH.

http://www.pololu.com/blackfriday2013

Comments

  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-11-23 00:31
    I purchased four of these motors last year. They're really nice. I'm very tempted to purchase some more this year.

    I also purchased these motor controllers. I'm wondering if there are less expensive options available?

    These motor are just the right size for medium size robots. I'm planning on using the set I already have on a treaded robot but I think these would work great with Vex Mecanum wheels.

    I haven't really used this motor/controller combo enough to know if they're really as good as I hope they are. What I should be doing over the next couple of days is test out the motors and controllers to see if I really want more of the same.

    Their Wixels are nice since you can use them as a data link between Propeller and PC and they can be used to wirelessly program the Propeller. I imagine they could be used for Propeller to Propeller communication but if you don't need to use the link to program the Propeller, I'd suggest using the inexpensive nRF24L01+ modules (see post #1 of my index for info about these transceivers).

    Xanadu recently mentioned the RoboClaw motor controller (sold by Pololu). It has inputs for two sets of quadrature encoders. In case any of you are thinking of purchasing the RoboClaw in order to use it with the previously mentioned motors with encoders, you should be aware the Propeller could take care of the encoder monitoring and motor control logic for you. If any of you plan to use the Propeller to control your robots (and why wouldn't you?), then I wouldn't let the encoder feedback be the deciding factor on which motor controller to purchase (but do get encoders on your motors, encoders are a roboticists best friend).

    In generally, I think Pololu sells pretty good stuff for the price. Do any of you have favorite items you plan to watch for come Black Friday?
  • Martin_HMartin_H Posts: 4,051
    edited 2013-11-23 04:04
    Last year I purchased a mini IMU, a bunch of Wixels (I use them as wireless serial ports). I also bought two of their Baby Orangutan robot controllers, and they're quite nice. I mounted one on an old Board of Education as it's almost pin compatible with a BS2. I haven't posted a picture or any projects with it because it isn't Parallax gear.

    This year I'll probably pick up the micrometal gearmotors and encoder set.
  • BenSBenS Posts: 8
    edited 2013-11-26 19:02
    Hello.

    The full sale details are available now!

    http://www.pololu.com/blackfriday2013

    - Ben
  • Martin_HMartin_H Posts: 4,051
    edited 2013-11-26 19:52
    I'm finally going to break down and buy a 3pi as $55 is so cheap for it. I'm also going to pick up some Spring RC CR servos to replace the pair in my Boe-bot. If their specs are truthful it should yield some extra speed and power.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-11-26 20:25
    Sale starts TONIGHT, FYI: Our "Black Friday" sale is just a few hours away, and we have some really great deals in store for you. We will be discounting hundreds of products by 30% to 60% and offering an additional 11% to 15% off orders over $100. All of the sale prices and the first doorbuster deals go live at midnight PST (08:00 UTC), and the sale runs through Cyber Monday (December 2).

    Nothing for me, thanks. I spent plenty on Radio Shack goodies two months ago. Doubtful if any BF deals can touch those prices.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-11-26 20:26
    I notice there's a quantity limit of six on the motors I'm thinking of getting. Assuming I spend at least $100 (and qualify for the additional 11% discount), the sale price of the motors will be $24.89. The normal price is $39.95.

    I doubt I'll be able to pass up the chance to get another set of these motors at such a good price.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-11-27 13:10
    Duane Degn wrote: »
    I doubt I'll be able to pass up the chance to get another set of these motors at such a good price.

    DD: Learn from this old hoarder.

    Most of my priceless stash is from "buying opportunities that may never arise again, EVER, must stockpile now".

    They always do. Often at a lower price, or lower MOQ.

    Except for Hamamatsu sensors. GRAB ALL THE P5587's YOU CAN, THEY'RE STILL ON EBAY!

    Oops, there I go again...
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-11-27 13:28
    erco wrote: »
    DD: Learn from this old hoarder.

    Most of my priceless stash is from "buying opportunities that may never arise again, EVER, must stockpile now".

    They always do. Often at a lower price, or lower MOQ.

    Except for Hamamatsu sensors. GRAB ALL THE P5587's YOU CAN, THEY'RE STILL ON EBAY!

    Oops, there I go again...

    Too late. I've already ordered another four motors with brackets and controllers. A lot of the blame falls on Xanadu with this treaded robot project. It made me remember how much I like these motors.

    I'm not sure if I'll use the new set to improve my Mecanum wheeled robot or if there will be some other robot which will require the motors.

    And yes, I've been stocking up on the P5587 encoders. My PCBs are back for my encoder projects so I should be updating those threads soon. It looks like two P5587 will fit inside a servo. I just don't know if they will interfere with each other or not.
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