G
greenaum
Guest
Hi,
I want to get into microcontrollers, just for for and a hobby. I think
my first project will be a scrolling display on an 8x8 LED, probably
extended to more later. But I wanna do all sorts of stuff, just to
tinker.
I'm good with programming C on computers. I understand assembly in
principle if not with too much experience (messing with my old ZX
Spectrum's Z80 machine code). Analogue stuff I'm a bit lost with but I
can switch a transistor on and off and put in the odd current-limiting
resistor. I'm good with logic.
I'd work most on a breadboard and possibly stripboard after, not into
making PCBs yet.
Anyway I was thinking of starting with PIC cos it looks simple. But
Arduino has much more expansibility, and with the libraries and
modules, looks easy to stretch into areas without having to learn too
much first, which is nice.
OTOH too much hand-holding is a turn-off to start with, I'd like to
write simple machine-code routines for my scroller, etc. PIC looks
nice here, and also looks cheaper, and lots of different options
available for pins and features.
I think what I want is a cheap setup for PIC just to get some basic
principles mastered. Could I get on with a home-made serial port
thing, with just a couple of diodes etc on stripboard? Plans are on
the web, doesn't look too hard, and I have an actual serial port
waiting for some love. Or would that tend to run into lots of
undecipherable problems and get frustrating?
For Arduino there are lots of starter kits, and cheap $5 Chinese 'ino
boards. Prices vary so, so, much on almost-identical items. Sainsmart
do a kit with lots of stuff but apparently abonimable documents. I'm
willing to spend the 40-50 UK pounds or so to get a nice starter kit,
but I want value for money, seems a shame to pay so much more than you
have to. But not cheapskate, or low-quality stuff. I'd hate to spend
hours blaming my own ineptitude when some Chinese capacitor somewhere
is to blame.
Also I might like to be able to program Arduinos / AVRs without having
to use the bootloader, in the future. Just so I could use lower-end
chips and save the bootloader space. So does that need a programmer?
An expensive one?
SO... as a beginner, I want some sort of practice that's reliable and
easy to get early results from. Is there an easy way to start with PIC
for cheap, or should I forget that and get Arduino? And what's a good
kit to buy, and also a source of extra 'inos for further projects?
There's a ton of sites on the web, but no obvious indication to take
one opinion over another. If someone wants to give me a setup, a
price, and ideally a UK supplier (or at least Amazon or Paypal if it's
foreign), I'd be very pleased and probably take the advice.
Viva Usenet!
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"There's nothing like eating hay when you're faint," the White King remarked to Alice, as he munched away.
"I should think throwing cold water over you would be better," Alice suggested: "--or some sal-volatile."
"I didn't say there was nothing better," the King replied. "I said there was nothing like it."
Which Alice did not venture to deny.
I want to get into microcontrollers, just for for and a hobby. I think
my first project will be a scrolling display on an 8x8 LED, probably
extended to more later. But I wanna do all sorts of stuff, just to
tinker.
I'm good with programming C on computers. I understand assembly in
principle if not with too much experience (messing with my old ZX
Spectrum's Z80 machine code). Analogue stuff I'm a bit lost with but I
can switch a transistor on and off and put in the odd current-limiting
resistor. I'm good with logic.
I'd work most on a breadboard and possibly stripboard after, not into
making PCBs yet.
Anyway I was thinking of starting with PIC cos it looks simple. But
Arduino has much more expansibility, and with the libraries and
modules, looks easy to stretch into areas without having to learn too
much first, which is nice.
OTOH too much hand-holding is a turn-off to start with, I'd like to
write simple machine-code routines for my scroller, etc. PIC looks
nice here, and also looks cheaper, and lots of different options
available for pins and features.
I think what I want is a cheap setup for PIC just to get some basic
principles mastered. Could I get on with a home-made serial port
thing, with just a couple of diodes etc on stripboard? Plans are on
the web, doesn't look too hard, and I have an actual serial port
waiting for some love. Or would that tend to run into lots of
undecipherable problems and get frustrating?
For Arduino there are lots of starter kits, and cheap $5 Chinese 'ino
boards. Prices vary so, so, much on almost-identical items. Sainsmart
do a kit with lots of stuff but apparently abonimable documents. I'm
willing to spend the 40-50 UK pounds or so to get a nice starter kit,
but I want value for money, seems a shame to pay so much more than you
have to. But not cheapskate, or low-quality stuff. I'd hate to spend
hours blaming my own ineptitude when some Chinese capacitor somewhere
is to blame.
Also I might like to be able to program Arduinos / AVRs without having
to use the bootloader, in the future. Just so I could use lower-end
chips and save the bootloader space. So does that need a programmer?
An expensive one?
SO... as a beginner, I want some sort of practice that's reliable and
easy to get early results from. Is there an easy way to start with PIC
for cheap, or should I forget that and get Arduino? And what's a good
kit to buy, and also a source of extra 'inos for further projects?
There's a ton of sites on the web, but no obvious indication to take
one opinion over another. If someone wants to give me a setup, a
price, and ideally a UK supplier (or at least Amazon or Paypal if it's
foreign), I'd be very pleased and probably take the advice.
Viva Usenet!
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"There's nothing like eating hay when you're faint," the White King remarked to Alice, as he munched away.
"I should think throwing cold water over you would be better," Alice suggested: "--or some sal-volatile."
"I didn't say there was nothing better," the King replied. "I said there was nothing like it."
Which Alice did not venture to deny.