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[on:]

Hi guys,
Im trying to build a remote controled vehicle and im trying to work out why alot of people are using xBee RF? To me at least (very inexperenced) they dont seem very simple or amazingly cheap, am I wrong?
Chears

[Reply #1 on:]

For point to point communication, the series 1 models only need to have PAN ID, MY, and DL set. Then, it's a matter of writing to, and reading from the radio, just like it were a serial port. Hard to get much simpler than that.

The modules themselves handle pairing, data transmission, and retransmission in the event of an error.

For their size, the have good range and manageable power consumption.

[Reply #2 on:]

Everything PaulS said is correct.  Additionally, for series 2, you get store forward, sleep, analog and digital inputs, digital outputs, mesh networking (really cool routing), and a bunch of other features that you would have to invent yourself with just a radio.

[Reply #3 on:]

Additionally, for series 2, you get store forward, sleep, analog and digital inputs, digital outputs, mesh networking (really cool routing), and a bunch of other features that you would have to invent yourself with just a radio.

Series 1 radios will sleep, and they have digital and analog I/O.

[Reply #4 on:]

Ditto PaulS and draythomp. XBees are also quite easy to use, but if a person expects to make them jump through hoops without spending some time in the datasheet, understanding concepts and details, then that might be an unrealistic expectation. The flexible and robust networking afforded by XBees is a steal at $17 a copy, but please don't tell the nice folks at Digi International that I said that.

[Reply #5 on:]

PaulS, you're right.  Also, the series 1 have that cool feature where the pins on one XBee follow the pins on the other.  Never tried that feature, but it's got to be fun to use.

Jack, you just had to go and say it.  Now the darn price will go up.