Should i go with a 32bit micro controller?

[DarkStarModz]

Im starting to build my first robot and im in the middle of ordering everything i need and i cant decide between 2 microcontrollers. My first pick was a "DFRduino ATMega1280 MEGA USB Microcontroller" but now im considering a 32bit microcontroller like the "LeafLabs Maple 32-bit Arduino Compatible Microcontroller" should i go with the 32bit? is there any big diffrences between the two microcontrollers? and both boards support tons of digital/analog ports but dont seem to have any male pin headers like other boards ive seen like the axon, do i need a shield that has all the male headers to access all the digital/analog ports? if so where can i find one. Below are the links to the 2 microcontrollers im interested in. Thanks




http://www.robotshop.com/leaflabs-maple-32-bit-arduino-compatible-microcontroller.html

http://www.robotshop.com/dfrobot-atmega1280-mega-usb-microcontroller-4.html

[waltr]

Is this also the first microcontroller you have used? If so then I'd recommend using one that is common in the hobby community. That gives you many people to help and a fairly large free code base and free development tools.
If you are very experienced with different microcontrollers/processors than go with something else.

Also it will depend on what you need the robot to do. Most hobby robots don't need a 32-bit processor and most of us don't even use all the power of an 8-bit processor.

[Soeren]

Hi,

Going for the 70MHz 32 bit board is the equivalent of buying a race car for just the weekly shopping for groceries - but as long as it's cheaper than the Skoda, who wouldn't 

You could bang together something like the $50 robot controller instead. It would be cheaper and you'd learn something along the way.

[DarkStarModz]

yeah i have already built my own version of the "$50 robot controller" but im interested in more options and a more professional look. So i think im going to go with the 32bit because its cheaper then the mega and its faster and yeah its probably overkill but i kinda like the idea of having more then what i need just incase something new comes out that requires more power or maybe some day i will make a more sophisticated robot either way i think its worth the money. But i have one question about the maple leaf board it seems it only requires 3.7v input? it was designed to use 3.7LiPo battery's but would that be enough to power servos? i am ordering a "DFRobot I / O Expansion Board for Arduino v5" expansion shield that allows for a separate powers source for servo control so i think i will be alright what do you all think? below is the link again for the microcontroller and the I/O expansion shield let me know if this will work,thanks. 


Microcontroller: http://www.robotshop.com/leaflabs-maple-32-bit-arduino-compatible-microcontroller.html

Shield: http://www.robotshop.com/dfrobot-i-o-expansion-board-arduino-v5.html

[Soeren]

Hi,

[...] But i have one question about the maple leaf board it seems it only requires 3.7v input? it was designed to use 3.7LiPo battery's but would that be enough to power servos?

It's running on 3.3V, but most servos will be OK with that on the signal line - not the power line, where most servos need from 4.8V to 6.0V, so you need to have (at least) that voltage and can just tap it through a 3.3V voltage regulator for the controller board.

i am ordering a "DFRobot I / O Expansion Board for Arduino v5" expansion shield that allows for a separate powers source for servo control so i think i will be alright what do you all think? below is the link again for the microcontroller and the I/O expansion shield let me know if this will work,thanks. 

A quick look at the extension module page didn't reveal whether it can be controlled from 3.3V logic, but shoot them an email to get that cleared up, before you shell out the hard earned.