Does anyone use Synapse wireless radios in their projects?
For those who don't know about them:
Their Getting Started page: http://www.synapse-wireless.com/index.php?mainID=3&subID=30&type=default
They have different radio modules, but my favorite is their RF200. All of their radio modules can be programmed over the air using what they call SNAPpy, which is a stripped down version of Python. They have some software called Portal where you can run full blown python if you want. More importantly, Portal is how you upload your SNAPpy code to the radios. The radios create a self forming mesh (if you need that). There is no need for a coordinator like xbee needs. Once programmed you don't have to use portal if you dont want to.
Right now the RF200 is $26.66 http://www.futureelectronics.com/en/technologies/semiconductors/wireless-rf/rf-modules-solutions/802154-zigbee/Pages/6469811-RF200PD1.aspx
Personally, the biggest advantage for me over xbee is the rpc functionality. You can define functions on the radios, then the radio can make a rpc call to another radio to get or send data. Or it can trigger an action to occur. Even if you are looking for a wireless serial replacement, I think the RF200s do a better job than the xbee at that.
I've mentioned this before, but Synapse Wireless's radios have allowed me to replace simple arduino/xbee combo with one rf200. Then for more complex projects, I still have an arduino with a RF200 for serial and other functions.
So does anyone else use Synapse Wireless Radio modules? If not, could you explain why other than future electronics is the only distributor?
Thank you,
J.C. Woltz
one more thing, I made a short blog post about how to wirelessly program an arduino with the RF Engines: https://www.jcwoltz.com/2011/04/arduino-wirelessly-programming-with-synapse-wireless-rf-engine/