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New to this, what sensors??? — Parallax Forums

New to this, what sensors???

I'm new to electronics, not new to programming. I picked the propeller because of its multicore processing. I'd like to know what sensors you guys think are a worthwhile purchase and where is the best place to get them.
Thanks for any help.

Comments

  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2015-12-26 16:25
    Welcome to the forums!

    Parallax of course:

    https://www.parallax.com/catalog/sensors

    There are many, many sensors out in the world. What are you looking at sensing?


  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    What do you want to sense?

    Can't answer the question without a requirement in mind.
  • lol,while parallax carries a large amount of sensors, and I would always support a great company like parallax, www.sparkfun.com carries quiet a few. Though, they lean towards Arduino. adafruit is another one to look at. Welcome to the fun of multicore processing!
  • For motion, one of the 9dof sensor boards is fun - either an MPU6050 with a compass, or anything similar. You'll find lots of driver objects in the Obex.

    Ping sensors are fun, and simple to work with, as are some of the line sensor arrays.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    For 9 DOF motion sensor there is no better than this:

    https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-bno055-absolute-orientation-sensor/overview

    Sadly Parallax has neither a break out board or Propeller software for that wonderful device.

  • Heater. wrote: »
    For 9 DOF motion sensor there is no better than this:

    https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-bno055-absolute-orientation-sensor/overview

    Sadly Parallax has neither a break out board or Propeller software for that wonderful device.

    I also think that's a cool sensor. I'll try to get some Propeller code for it posted in the next week.

    I second the recommendation of Parallax, Adafruit and Sparkfun but I'm also a sucker for cheap ebay sensors. I've listed some of the cheap parts I like in this post.

  • post xmas impulse buy for bno055
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    Ha ha Braino, me too!
  • There's code in the Elev8-FC that will do that in two cogs. :)
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    Two cogs, to read one sensor? How come so many?
  • I would start out simple and get the hang of simple ADC's, DAC's, and Digital pots. Like the mcp3204, , mcp4922,, and Ad5220. You'll find some good object examples on the Obex exchange. Plus there are some really good people on this forum that can help you.
  • Heater. wrote: »
    Two cogs, to read one sensor? How come so many?

    No, I mean two cogs to do everything that sensor does, at better than 250hz, plus an altimeter and pressure to altitude readings. :)
  • get a few hall effect sensors.. cheap enough and much you can play with those. Distance sensing, RPM's, other neat things
    I agree with JasonDorie about the ADC/DAC's, can sense alot with a 10bit especially one that can sample 38.4KHz+

    For example, a condenser mic, an op-amp, and a few other components can sense what your ears hear and perform an FFT and give you a spectrum analyzer on an old PC monitor.

    Truly the prop is capable of many a great feat!
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