Another easy-to-use MCU you can consider is, the SX family distributed by Parallax (used to be from Ubicom). I suspect Parallax is trying to set a difference between their expensive part (read, premium), Basic Stamp family and a low cost version (SX). You will be surprise, SX is quite powerful. The only caveat is, you have to buy their proprietary SX chip-programmer, the SX-Key (SX Tech Tool Kit PLUS). Its USD 99.00. But the number of parts in the package and plus a BASIC compiler that comes free, I think , it value for money. I compared it with a good Basic program for the PIC which can cost up to a few hundreds of $ !
As for the SX chips, it cost only a few $ each. Best of all, Parallax is selling 2 high quality SX protoboards for a mere USD 9.95 each ! Great for projects but does require the SX-Key though. Check out their web site ( www.parallax.com )
PS: I am not in any way related to Parallax. In fact, I quite dislike them due to their high priced BS until they lunched the SX. But then again, I vote with my $.
cheers,
upand_at_them wrote:
upand_at_them wrote:
I've used PICAXEs. They're pretty cool. A nice, cheaper alternative
to BASIC Stamps. I don't use them anymore, because I'm much better at
programming PICs now and PICAXEs, of course, have limitations and
overhead.
I would definitely recommend them for schools, though. The cost is
like 1/4 of what Stamps are.
Mike
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