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[on:]

Im looking at DIP sockets for the atmega328. I would like to grab this 30 cent one, but do I need to worry about the quality of the contacts? Should I choose copper over bronze? Do I need to spend 3.50?

[Reply #1 on:]

Meh. I don't like dual-leaf contacts. They're not as good as the collet pin type, which are not that much more expensive:

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=ED2688-ND

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The Gadget Shield: accelerometer, RGB LED, IR transmit/receive, speaker, microphone, light sensor, potentiometer, pushbuttons

[Reply #2 on:]

Depends if you want to plug and unplug lots of times or not - if so collet pins are a bad choice, but for one time use they are good.  These tyco sockets seem to survive 1000's of insertion cycles.

copper would be an awful choice for a spring contact!  phosphor bronze makes good spring contacts.

[Reply #3 on:]

I don't need to unplug it a bunch. Just a few times probably for reprogramming, then when I'm done I don't plan on messing with it ever again. But if that 30 cent one is good, then I'm gonna go with it.

[Reply #4 on:]

Look at this one, will be less for shipping also.
http://www.dipmicro.com/store/ICS328
I believe these are comparable to whats on boards that use DIP parts such as the Duemilanove or UNO.

Are you planning on connecting  anywires to it?
Then wirewrap pins are even better.
I use these a lot in my projects:
http://www.marcospecialties.com/product.asp?ic=SIP20L

[Reply #5 on:]

I don't like dual-leaf contacts.

To each his own.  I prefer them; they're much easier to insert the chips without damaging them; they essentially require accurate positioning of the pins in only one dimension, and don't demand high accuracy in that direction.  The "machined pin" sockets may be more reliable in extremely rugged environments, but they seem to be designed for one-time very careful insertion of those $30 mil-spec chips; if you need that sort of ruggedness, I'd consider just soldering the chip to the board...

The $0.30 sockets should work fine.  They are, after all, a brand-name socket from a "real" distributor, and not something random from a surplus dealer that's been sitting around for who knows how long under what conditions.