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Getting started

dwegscheiddwegscheid Posts: 4
edited 2006-03-01 13:36 in General Discussion
I am looking at graduating from Basic Stamp to something that's a little more cost effective. The SX48 proto boards at $9.95 look like a good deal. Is the only thing I need to get started with this the downloaded software and the SX-Key? Is the tech kit worth the extra $$$$$?

Comments

  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2006-02-17 18:14
    Just the manual that comes with the tech kit is worth the extra $10.
    Plus you get the protoboard and a couple chips and resonators.
    Bean.

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    "SX-Video·Module" Now available from Parallax for only $28.95

    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30012

    "SX-Video OSD module" Now available from Parallax for only·$49.95
    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30015

    Product web site: www.sxvm.com

    "Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."
    ·
  • RsadeikaRsadeika Posts: 3,837
    edited 2006-02-17 18:29
    Hey Bean you forgot to mention Gunther's book. That is probably the most important piece of equipment for a beginner.

    Ray
  • dwegscheiddwegscheid Posts: 4
    edited 2006-02-17 19:43
    just saw the post on the Blitz. Is getting a Blitz and using the SX-SIM a viable alternative?
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2006-02-17 20:18
    Sure.
    Bean.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "SX-Video·Module" Now available from Parallax for only $28.95

    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30012

    "SX-Video OSD module" Now available from Parallax for only·$49.95
    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30015

    Product web site: www.sxvm.com

    "Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."
    ·
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2006-02-18 14:00
    Get the whole package as you will save money.
    The real information is in the books -- especially Guenther's as it has 3 parts -- a tutorial, a reference, and applications.

    Bean mentioned you get a couple of chips [noparse][[/noparse]actually I think I got 3 of the Sx-28 included]. The board has a low·insertion force·socket, so it is very easy to trade-out chips.

    You don't even need the Blitz to use the SX-SIM {It simulates running code without anything attached}. And, it is certainly free.
    Take a look, try to do it without, and I think you will want the books.

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    "When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.' - Walter Lippmann (1889-1974)

    ······································································ Warm regards,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan
  • Clock LoopClock Loop Posts: 2,069
    edited 2006-02-19 00:47
    Guenther's book is very usefull if you plan to learn assembly.

    If you plan to only use SX-B code and never do assembly, all the info you need is included in the PDB help file. If sx-b is all you want, then the extra books included don't help when it comes to SX-B

    I'd go with the tech kit pro. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

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    Meh. Nothing here, move along.
  • BongoBongo Posts: 65
    edited 2006-02-19 08:26
    From my observations, the willingness to read the applical documentation is·more relevent than the

    financial burden imposed.


    bongo
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2006-02-23 09:06
    Take a look at www.sxlist.com for more examples of SASM programing as you get into details.
    It is an excellent resource.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.' - Walter Lippmann (1889-1974)

    ······································································ Warm regards,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan
  • Philip GamblinPhilip Gamblin Posts: 202
    edited 2006-03-01 05:22
    I am a new owner of the SX tech tool kit plus ( http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=45181·) after agonizing over the $100. A couple of important points. The SX Blitz does not allow online debugging, break points and single stepping through the code. Gunther's book. I had an assembler course about 20 yrs ago. Gunther material is excellent and probably should be considered required SX reading. Step by step examples build in a logical progression, admittedly I've only done three, but I'm learning a lot.·If· you're new to the SX, buy·Gunther's book, trust me.·
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2006-03-01 09:58
    I got my copy of Guenther's text in November 2004. I am still re-reading it nearly daily.
    It is necessary to have someone point out all the details and pitfalls.

    But after you get into the SXes,
    you may want to read more from www.sxlist.com as there are things that Guenter could not cover in a tutorial text.

    Mutiple threads is one topic he doesn't discuss.
    And while SX-Ubicom's material presents it, they assume you have substatial background knowledge.
    In my case I don't and I have to scramble for answers on the Internet.

    A related topic is semaphores.
    The use of 'flag bits' to help create a working finite state machine.

    Together, they really can make the SXes much more than a communications device or a motor controller. You can combine many functions in one package.

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    "When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.' - Walter Lippmann (1889-1974)

    ······································································ Warm regards,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2006-03-01 13:36
    I, too, just got Guenthar's book.
    Sadly, I just purchased a house and will no longer have the expendable cash to buy my beloved Parallax products....but hopefully I'll be able to read the book in the next year!! haha

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    ·

    Steve

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
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