What Is The Best Arduino MCU?

[Andyspins]

I need a good Arduino for $40 or less, can anyone help me with that? Thanks,

                                                 Andyspins

[Joker94]

Well from the different arduinos i have used i would say go for the original. this is just my preference from what i have used.

It is under $40, 13 digital pins incorporating 6 PWM pins, 6 analog pins. usb connectivity which gives you many possibilities beyond just using the boot loader. there are heaps of shields out there that you can use and you can easily design your own shield if you want to.

there are some clones out there that might be cheaper but be wary of where you buy, unfortunately there are people out there that sell Dodgy arduinos at the expense of the consumer.

these are just from the ones that i have had experience with and the arduino Duemilanove was the easiest to use and integrate with my projects. overall a very pleasant experience.

[madsci1016]

Depends on your project as well.

This is a good list of all the 'official' Arduinos, I'd start there.

If you need something small, I really like the Pro Mini for $20

[KurtEck]

I like the Mega Arduinos... These are slightly more than $40 unless you buy two or more: http://www.nkcelectronics.com/seeeduino-mega-fully-assembled.html

Kurt

[Andyspins]

Thanks guys, they all sound good, @Joker: do you know where I can buy the original? Thanks,

                                     Andyspins

[Razor Concepts]

I prefer the seeeduino series. They have standard header spacing options, so you arent locked into the expensive arduino shields, you can just make your own.

The original arduino has no special features and is rather bulky and more expensive, as they are made in italy. Basically, why spend 35 on an original when you can get a seeeduino mega for just $10 more

[Andyspins]

I prefer the seeeduino series. They have standard header spacing options, so you arent locked into the expensive arduino shields, you can just make your own.

The original arduino has no special features and is rather bulky and more expensive, as they are made in italy. Basically, why spend 35 on an original when you can get a seeeduino mega for just $10 more

Thans for telling me, what model is the best and where can you buy them cheap? Thanks,
                             
                                                                         Andyspins

[Razor Concepts]

Either at nkcelectronics for fast shipping, or get it directly from the manufacturer at seeedstudio.com

[Andyspins]

Either at nkcelectronics for fast shipping, or get it directly from the manufacturer at seeedstudio.com

Thanks!

[blackbeard]

Thanks guys, they all sound good, @Joker: do you know where I can buy the original? Thanks,

                                     Andyspins

ebay is the best bet. i've gotten them for $24 +free shipping in buy it nows.

[Razor Concepts]

Thanks guys, they all sound good, @Joker: do you know where I can buy the original? Thanks,

                                     Andyspins

ebay is the best bet. i've gotten them for $24 +free shipping in buy it nows.

If you bought it from china, those are clones

[Andyspins]

Thanks guys!

[convoluted]

I'd say go for an authentic Arduino Duemilanove or Mini (depending on what size constraints you have). Why an authentic Arduino? Well, I say support the folks that are developing the Arduino platform so they continue to provide us with this technology.

[Andyspins]

I'd say go for an authentic Arduino Duemilanove or Mini (depending on what size constraints you have). Why an authentic Arduino? Well, I say support the folks that are developing the Arduino platform so they continue to provide us with this technology.

Thanks but I think I'll go with Seeeduino because I have an extremely limited budget, so if any one can tell me what the best Seeeduino is that would be helpful. Thanks,

                                                            Andyspins

[Razor Concepts]

The standard 328 is fine.

[Andyspins]

The standard 328 is fine.

Thanks, Also if I buy a clone of ebay is there a negitive effect to that vs. buying real arduino? Thanks,

                                                     Andyspins

[Andyspins]

Just to be clear, seeeduino is its own MCU right? It doesn't need another one to run?

[Joker94]

as for the ebay arduinos, some clones are fine they work but you get some dodgy ones that dont work or dont have the same quality of arduino. by going for a clone your not saving much money really. arduino is an open source based board so it is already really well priced. therefor for a board of equivalent value and quality you probably wouldnt save money.

Yes the seeedduino is a self contained board. no other accessories needed. although i am not sure if it comes with the USB cable, some arduinos do and some dont.

[Andyspins]

as for the ebay arduinos, some clones are fine they work but you get some dodgy ones that dont work or dont have the same quality of arduino. by going for a clone your not saving much money really. arduino is an open source based board so it is already really well priced. therefor for a board of equivalent value and quality you probably wouldnt save money.

Yes the seeedduino is a self contained board. no other accessories needed. although i am not sure if it comes with the USB cable, some arduinos do and some dont.

Thanks, so I know what seeduino I would buy, but I was wondering if there was anywhere I could get the axon cheap?

[Ro-Bot-X]

There is no clone for the Axon. The only way to get it free is to win a tutorial contest. The current one ends on August 31st, but you need to already have an Axon to participate. I would suggest to get an Arduino (Mega is similar with the Axon, but does not have the 3 pin headers for servos, you need a shield) of your preference, then build a robot and participate in the next tutorial contest.

[Andyspins]

There is no clone for the Axon. The only way to get it free is to win a tutorial contest. The current one ends on August 31st, but you need to already have an Axon to participate. I would suggest to get an Arduino (Mega is similar with the Axon, but does not have the 3 pin headers for servos, you need a shield) of your preference, then build a robot and participate in the next tutorial contest.

Thanks, what kind of robot do you think could win the contest?

[Joker94]

any type of robot. theoretically there could be a 4 grand ROV they can do heaps of cool things but shows no ingenuity or originality up against a line following robot with a brilliant new algorithm making the bot extremely accurate and efficient that only cost $40 to build.

i am not saying this will happen but it is a possibility. develop any type of robot but instead of looking at someone else'e project and thinking 'that will do ok, i'll just use that' look at and think how can i make that better, more efficiently,make it my own.

for people that have been reading robot magazines, electronics and robotics journals and forums find original ideas that are new and something not yet thought of much more interesting than seeing a robot that has been build from other robots idea, built by the book you may say. (if you get my idea)

[Andyspins]

any type of robot. theoretically there could be a 4 grand ROV they can do heaps of cool things but shows no ingenuity or originality up against a line following robot with a brilliant new algorithm making the bot extremely accurate and efficient that only cost $40 to build.

i am not saying this will happen but it is a possibility. develop any type of robot but instead of looking at someone else'e project and thinking 'that will do ok, i'll just use that' look at and think how can i make that better, more efficiently,make it my own.

for people that have been reading robot magazines, electronics and robotics journals and forums find original ideas that are new and something not yet thought of much more interesting than seeing a robot that has been build from other robots idea, built by the book you may say. (if you get my idea)

Thanks! Also when does the contest after the one ending on the 31st start?

[Admin]

Thanks! Also when does the contest after the one ending on the 31st start?

I typically do a contest twice a year, so maybe 6 months from now?



- - - before you read the following, know that I'm biased - - -

If I was forced to choose, I'd say the Roboduino is the best. I *really* like headers and power buses built in. To have tons of unprofessional looking wire that can go loose at any time connecting everything to a messy breadboard, just to save $20, is silly. Spending 50% less to get only 25% of the features is also silly - don't judge only by price.

The Arduinos also force you to use *two* batteries, costing you more than the one needed to power an Axon

Not to mention that after you put a shield on the Arduino, it'll be physically 4x larger than the Axon, despite having only 1/4th the features. This is important for small robots

[Metal Slug 2]

I agree with Admin, the Roboduino is great.
Its really efficient and worry-free to connect servos and sensors.
Although you cant just plug in arduino shields, a package of these or these will solve that problem.

[Andyspins]

I agree with Admin, the Roboduino is great.
Its really efficient and worry-free to connect servos and sensors.
Although you cant just plug in arduino shields, a package of these or these will solve that problem.

Thanks I'll have to check it out.

[Ro-Bot-X]

Roboduino and the Axon are great if you want to build a robot using only servos.

Actually, Roboduino allows only 6 servos to be powered directly from the battery, but if you use those tiny blue servos (HXT900) you can power them from regulated 5V and you can use 2 or 3, depending on how many power hungry sensors (like GP2D12) you use.

If you decide you want to build a robot that has geared motors for driving, you will need to add a motor driver board. On a regular Arduino, that is a shield. That means you can build your own using a prototyping shield, buy a ready made DC motor shield and make your own servo connectors on the prototyping area. A shield that has a motor driver on board and 6 servo pins and 6 sensor pins is in the works, will be available soon. Or, you can buy a ready made Arduino variant that has a DC motor driver on board and also 3 pin headers for sensors and servos. Such is the Romeo Arduino or the Motoruino.