Axon VS Basic Stamp

[Jed]

This is going to be my first robot seance Lego robotics NXT and I am stuck, Microcontroler I do not know much and I cant decide if I want the Axon or a basic stamp learning kit because I do want to learn but not spend all my $ on something that is int going to last long. Help me pleas.         

[SmAsH]

well, it really depends on what language you want to program with... admins axon is programmed in c and the basic... you guessed it! is programmed in basic... a fair amount of people on this forum have started with the stamp but thats for beginning and wont last you when you turn to more hard stuff...
the axon is used by a fair amount of people on this forum and has more tutorials than id like to count...
and with the 4 uart and 55ish I/O it will last you through the hardest of your projects...
compare the two and see...

[Jed]

If I'm just starting does it rely mater what language it is?   

[SmAsH]

well, you can only do so much with copying someone elses code, programming is a vital skill to suceed in robotics...
basic is easier to learn but will limit you later in life when you go on to harder stuff...
i highly recommend learning c as the arduino, roboduino and axon are programmed in c.
and most people like me on this forum program in c, c++ or pic...
and they are in love with their atmegas

[Jed]

Thank You.

I'll post a gen if I have more questions.

[SmAsH]

also, if you want to make it yourself, check out http://www.societyofrobots.com/step_by_step_robot.shtml

[TrickyNekro]

hey man.... It's like day and night.....
Basic Stamp many not, confuse you with pins and ports but it's hell limited....

I wouldn't argue that even tiny2313 is better than a BS2.... let alone axon which is based on a atmega640.....

And imagine that tiny2313 is like "B" in the alphabet and atmega640 is like "W".......
Basic Stamp is only trying it's way to "A".....

For many many reasons, I won't discuss now....
So...

AXON AXON and AXON.....

Bascom is a good compiler and if you don't have the bucks you can scope out a good crack to get it's full version....
Although this is NOT the way to produce a better product, it can however get us familiar with the product and help us
decide if we want really to buy it or not....

[Jed]

Does the Axon come with a built in power regulator?

[SmAsH]

yep, it can take more than 5V but not too much...

Absolute minimum required voltage is 5.35V, while the recommended battery voltage is 6V to 7.2V. Absolute maximum voltage at 10V, however most servos cannot handle above 6V to 7.2V before being damaged.

http://www.societyofrobots.com/axon/axon_datasheet.shtml read it.

[Jed]

I have a 7.2V  1600mAh rechargeable Ni-Cd  battery pack that belonged to an R/C car of mien from a couple years back and most likely has memory effect should I use it or get a new battery and if I get a new one witch battery should I get?     

[SmAsH]

test it with a multimeter... if you do not have one, go buy one or i will kill you...
if you think it is dead a 7V2 battery pack with good mah will do fine (like 1800+), look for ni-mh preferably.

[Jed]

I have one no need to kill me

[SmAsH]

good test the battery's voltage! and test its current under load (like with a motor attached).

[Jed]

I'm getting 7.64V with no motor and 7.5V with the motor. so its a good battery still right? 

[SmAsH]

yep, that seems all good!