I'm looking at using an Arduino board as a base platform for simple robotics projects. I've found the "build your own" board schematics. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice on which board is the best to use for a beginner? I'd like to be able to use the home-built board, just to be able to understand the inner workings of it all. Opinions and suggestions are welcome.
You want to buy parts & assemble one?
http://store.nkcelectronics.com/arduino-runtime-board-rev-b.html
will do all an Uno does (except accept shields), you use an AVR ISP programmer to load code into it.
Or connect to the Rx/Tx/Reset pins & use FTDI type adapter for serial downloads after the bootloader is installed.
You want to build one from scratch? Here's an ATmega1284 test board I have.
I offer the same as an ATmega1284-based PCB that will also accept shields. You buy parts & assemble.
Update your IDE with the 1284 files here, select Bobuino as the board type.
Use an ATMEL AVR ISP for loading the bootloader.
I was just wondering if anyone has any advice on which board is the best to use for a beginner?
The best beginner board is one that is preassembled, tested, and known to work. Then, you can build your own board, if you are so inclined.
That way, you'll have something to test code on, if it doesn't work on your board.
Try a [Freetronics Eleven](http://Freetronics Eleven). It's basically a 100% compatible but slightly improved Uno with a large prototyping area.
This link should work