Parallax eb500 -vs- Sparkfun BlueSMiRF

Steve Joblin

I'm quite new to this bluetooth stuff... so my appologies in advance if I am trying to compare "apples and bicycles"

In this corner, costing $69.95 is Parallax's eb500 EmbeddedBlue Transceiver AppMod (http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30068)

In the other corner, costing $64.95 is Sparkfun's BlueSMiRF Bluetooth Modem (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=582)

Except for the size difference, and physical pin out, are these two devices essentially the same?· I want to play around with Microsoft's Robotic Studio, and it seems that Bluetooth connection is an important part.

My PC is a Thinkpad T43 with built-in bluetooth, so I don't need a bluetooth dongle, right?

Any insight is appreciated.

If both theses products are indeed functionally the same, I will have a hard choice as I would like to support both companies... Both Parallax and Sparkfun have excellent products and amazing Customer Service and Support.· Which would you recommend?

·

Franklin

If you are using a board with an appmod connector then the Parallax device is a plug in solution.
Parallax 1, SparkFun 0

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- Stephen

Steve Joblin

Yes, I realize that the eb500 is easy to plug in to a board, but that is just a physical connection... I'm wondering if there are any technical differences.

Whit

The big plus for me in using Parallax's eb500 with Microsoft Robotics Studio is Andy Lindsay. If you look through the forums, there are sometimes (most times) kinks in making it all work together. I've seen Andy talk several people through them.

If you are interfacing with Parallax based Robotic products, I think the eb500 and Andy would be the only choice.

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Whit+


"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

Post Edited (Whit) : 7/31/2007 1:11:51 PM GMT

Steve Joblin

Thanks for the insight! I know how Parallax Support can make all the difference in the world!!!

I did note that the BlueSMiRF is a Class 1 bluetooth radio module, which means longer range. SparkFun quotes 100m range. Parallax also quotes 100m·range, but lists the eb500 device as a class 2 bluetooth modem, which has a 10mw output power and the bluetooth spec lists as a 10m range.

Does anyone know if the eb500 is a Class 1 with a 100m range or a Class 2 with a 10m range?· Is there a 'typo' in the description?

Post Edited (Steve Joblin) : 7/31/2007 1:28:10 PM GMT

Tom C

Hi Steve,

I have the eb500 and it is a Class 2 device. However, it will vary its output power up to a certain maximum value to optimize transmission.

The following A7 Engineering link will provide you will all the info that you need on the eb500: http://www.a7eng.com/

I happen to have two eb500s and an eb501. The eb500 can be connected to an eb600 which lets the eb500 be connected to a PC through an RS232 serial connection.

The eb501 is like the eb500 however it has an RS232 interface and provisions for an external antenna. An engineer at A7 Engineering indicated that the eb501 attached to an appropriate antenna was able to work effectively out to 100m.

Or you could modify a Linksys Bluetooth Class 1 dongle to accept an external antenna and get 1/4 mile range.

Take your choice.

Regards,

TCIII

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If you are going to send·a Robot·to save the world, you·better make sure it likes it the way it is!