I think I will go for the cheap on. Not only because its cheap, but it looks dead easy to use. (At least it looks like that in the tutorial you have made.)
Here are all the parts I am going to order. Found out its better to order a bit extra stuff, as shipment is the most expensive. Also, the dollars is very low right now =D
Digi-key
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1 2 ATMEGA8-16PU-ND IC AVR MCU 8K 16MHZ 5V 28DIP 0 3.66000 $7.32
2 3 KA7805ETU-ND IC REG POS 5V 1.0A 4% TOL TO-220 0 0.49000 $1.47
3 3 ED3128-ND IC SOCKETS 28PIN MS TIN/TIN .300 0 1.58000 $4.74
4 10 565-1038-ND CAP 220UF 16V ELECT SMG RAD 0 0.17500 $1.75
5 10 399-4454-1-ND CAP .1UF 50V 20% CER AXIAL 0 0.11900 $1.19
6 3 WM6436-ND CONN HEADER 36POS .100 VERT TIN 0 1.68000 $5.04
7 15 PPC340YCT-ND RES 340 OHM METAL FILM .40W 1% 0 0.19000 $2.85
8 10 1.62KXBK-ND RES 1.62K OHM 1/4W 1% METAL FILM 0 0.09800 $0.98
9 15 160-1034-ND LED 3MM ALGAAS RED CLEAR 0 0.15500 $2.33
10 1 ATMEGA168-20PU-ND IC AVR MCU 16K 20MHZ 28DIP 0 4.11000 $4.11
11 2 425-2046-ND SENSOR DIST MEASUR 80CM ANLG 0 12.18000 $24.36
12 3 PDV-P5001 PHOTOCELL 8K-16K OHM 11MM 0 2.96000 $8.88
Total: 130$ (65$ shipping)
SparkFun!:
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Perf Board - Small
$2.95 $5.90
Screws 4-40 Thread
$1.95 $1.95
Standoffs Metal Short
$1.95 $1.95
Standoffs Metal Long
$2.95 $2.95
2x5 AVR ICSP Male Header
$1.50 $3.00
Crystal 20MHz
$1.50 $3.00
Break Away Headers - Straight
$2.50 $2.50
Break Away Female Headers
$1.50 $3.00
Mini Push Button Switch
$0.35 $1.40
AVR STK Serial Port Dongle Programmer
$12.95 $12.95
Total:45$
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TOTAL:ca 175$
Hope to have a few fun weeks