The Saga of Fluffy2
LoopyByteloose
Posts: 12,537
For those extremely independent souls that think they can be frugal by building Fluffy2 rather than buying a seemingly expensive·SX-Key, there are some things to consider.
1.· Do you have a PIC programmer [noparse][[/noparse]or are you going to build one of those as well]?
2.· Do you have a PIC C or Assembly Complier [noparse][[/noparse]or are you hoping to download that for free]?
3.· Have you worked with printing circuit board and drilling out the holes [noparse][[/noparse]nasty chemicals]?·
4.· Do you have a PIC Hex programmer [noparse][[/noparse]again you have to download a free copy from somewhere]?
5.· Do you want to buy the parts - mainly a crystal, a MAX232 for interface and a PIC16c84a for program [noparse][[/noparse]can you really get them easily]?
Having gotten this far, you may actually have the means to build Fluffy2 if you have the time.
But, what have you got?
Only part of the package.
You don't have Guenther's or Al William's book to bring you along.
You don't actually have an actual·board that you can plug Fluffy2 in to [noparse][[/noparse]one more board to go].
You don't have licensed access to Parallax's software [noparse][[/noparse]though they seem to tolerate sharing it].
AND, you don't have a device that will fully use the Debug features [noparse][[/noparse]including SingleStep].
In sum, you have just a programmer without much else.·
So, it seems that you may find that your percieved savings are actually a greater expense and·resources could be spent using a better system with supporting texts, a couple of SX-28s, some resonators,·a board, and more.
Parallax will probably never discourage someone that wants to explore the SX through using a Fluffy2 or something similar as you are an considered to be eventual customers, but you may be doing yourself a dis-service and wasting your resources.
After all, if you like what you see with Fluffy2, it gets better if you buy an SX-Key in a development package.
I think you might·reconsider what the real value to getting an SX-Key is - lower costs that a piece meal solution, prompt access to the SX, and on-going support.
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
G. Herzog in Taiwan
Post Edited (Kramer) : 9/3/2005 3:25:01 PM GMT
1.· Do you have a PIC programmer [noparse][[/noparse]or are you going to build one of those as well]?
2.· Do you have a PIC C or Assembly Complier [noparse][[/noparse]or are you hoping to download that for free]?
3.· Have you worked with printing circuit board and drilling out the holes [noparse][[/noparse]nasty chemicals]?·
4.· Do you have a PIC Hex programmer [noparse][[/noparse]again you have to download a free copy from somewhere]?
5.· Do you want to buy the parts - mainly a crystal, a MAX232 for interface and a PIC16c84a for program [noparse][[/noparse]can you really get them easily]?
Having gotten this far, you may actually have the means to build Fluffy2 if you have the time.
But, what have you got?
Only part of the package.
You don't have Guenther's or Al William's book to bring you along.
You don't actually have an actual·board that you can plug Fluffy2 in to [noparse][[/noparse]one more board to go].
You don't have licensed access to Parallax's software [noparse][[/noparse]though they seem to tolerate sharing it].
AND, you don't have a device that will fully use the Debug features [noparse][[/noparse]including SingleStep].
In sum, you have just a programmer without much else.·
So, it seems that you may find that your percieved savings are actually a greater expense and·resources could be spent using a better system with supporting texts, a couple of SX-28s, some resonators,·a board, and more.
Parallax will probably never discourage someone that wants to explore the SX through using a Fluffy2 or something similar as you are an considered to be eventual customers, but you may be doing yourself a dis-service and wasting your resources.
After all, if you like what you see with Fluffy2, it gets better if you buy an SX-Key in a development package.
I think you might·reconsider what the real value to getting an SX-Key is - lower costs that a piece meal solution, prompt access to the SX, and on-going support.
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
G. Herzog in Taiwan
Post Edited (Kramer) : 9/3/2005 3:25:01 PM GMT
Comments
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Ken
The $99 package called "SX Tech Tool Kit PLUS" <http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=45181> is clearly one of the best bargains out there save maybe for the 48/52 proto boards. For $10 more than the "Lite" version you get Gunter's book. Anyone learning the SX chips without the benefit of Gunter's book, is doing it with both hands tied behind his back!
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
cheers ... brian riley, n1bq, underhill center, vermont
Fluffy2 is useful if you are already a PIC programer, have parts lying around, and have been making boards. You may not really need the Debug options. I am sure that it will always be around.
But what people compare in advertisements or stores is a $69PIC programer [noparse][[/noparse]without software or books or etc.] to a $99 or $110 programer package. Apples versus Oranges. Parallax has made it so that you save money if you buy it all in one shot.
The PIC comes out cheaper on entry, but the newcomer doesn't know what is better.
There is always a tendancy to spend less if you don't know what you are buying - even if you cheat yourself.
(I have an 8051 programer with Chinese instructions that I may never use. It was cheap!)
I have yet to build a Fluffy2, but I look into it as an interesting way to fully understand the unusal programing channel on the SX.
I suppose there is even some die-hards out there that will build a Fluffy3 [noparse][[/noparse]with USB?] perhaps, but that is the fun of DIY.
Summer is offically over today.
I have university to teach tomorrow, so I may be posting a bit less. I hope you will forgive me if I have been too much a prescence here lately. Taiwan has been very hot 35 degrees C and two typhoons have kept me at home.
About the only other thing Parallax might do to make it better is to offer University students [noparse][[/noparse]with appropriate verification] a student discount. Maybe a once a year 'back to school' sale. Maybe an on-going deal. I just can't figure out out to verify the students as being real.
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
G. Herzog in Taiwan