Arduino

[linuxguymarshall]

I was looking to build a Arduino board and was wondering a few things.



Is the Arduino programming language similer to any other that I may know?
How complex is it to build my own board?
About how much will building it cost vs buying a pre-built one
How much skill (Soldering and building skills) are required to build the board?


Anything else I need to know?

IDK if this is the right spot. sorry if it is not

[modmadmike]

I am not sure, the only thing I have been trying to program that is in any way similar is our FIRST robot lol but looking it up it looks like something i might be interested in too :) Sorry that i am of no help.

[Ocxic]

1: Similar to C
2: Buy one
3: dunno, 50 bucks for 1 plus shipping
4: you need leet skillz

[linuxguymarshall]

1: Similar to C
2: Buy one
3: dunno, 50 bucks for 1 plus shipping
4: you need leet skillz


50 USD. sheesh. I prefer to hone my soldering skills and get off 30 ish dollars cheaper

[Yes]

It's only ~$35 USD. Although it would certianly be a better learning experience to build it yourself.

The programming language is rather simple, if you know anything like C, C++ or Java it'll be a breeze to pick up.

[bobbocanfly]

You will need some epic leet soldering skills to make one. The schematic for the standard board is at http://arduino.cc/en/uploads/Main/arduino-duemilanove-schematic.pdf. Not for the faint of heart.

[linuxguymarshall]

You will need some epic leet soldering skills to make one. The schematic for the standard board is at http://arduino.cc/en/uploads/Main/arduino-duemilanove-schematic.pdf. Not for the faint of heart.


Ive printed it out. Quite the job but I prefer to have the DIY experience.

So we are talking ~$30 to buy all the parts?

Will I have to buy them all online or can I buy most or all at Radio Shack or another electronics shop?

[Keen101]

If you are really set on building one, i'd go for a boarduino clone instead. Like this one. http://tinkerlog.com/2008/01/07/arduino-on-a-prototype-board/

1. Similar to c. Not much difference really.
2.Depends. I'd say pretty advanced for a full board, but fairly easy for a boarduino clone.
3. I really don't know. Maybe 10 bucks vs. 30. for a full board.
4. Not too much solder skills needed unless you try to solder the surface mount ftdi chip.

http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19&sessid=4b0a4d6a938cdcffcd1a48295e52d115

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=666

There are ton's of other places that sell them too.

You might even be able to make your own serial to usb converter with the same AVR microcontroller if you do things right. http://www.obdev.at/products/avrusb/prjinterface.html But, that might be an advanced project.

not sure if you can get most parts at radio shack. Probably, but the microcontroller will most definatley need to be bought somewhere else like from sparkfun or adafruit (with the preprogrammed arduino bootloader). Unless you already have an AVR programmer. http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=46

[rexmo]

I've seen the arduino kits for under 18$. Of cource that depends on what board/revision you're getting. I built a Diecemelia kit that I picked up for around 20$. It was not that difficult but there were a few times I needed a desoldering tool :rolleyes: But overall it was very satisfying. Since then I've built the protoshield, a motor controller, and I'm thinking about building an ethernet shield if the price gets low enough,

WARNING: Arduino projects are FUN to build and get running, however it can become an addiction! :-$

hope this helps...

just google whatever board you decide to build and pick the cheapest price.

[Ocxic]

don't forget you'll need a programmer to load the arduino bootloader onto the ATMEL chip before you'll ba able to use it.

[cb951303]

you can find any part at mouser.com

edit: sounded like an advert :P