Parts required for data logger

Using Arduino Project Guidance
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Hey guys,

I'm looking to do my first Arduino project and hoping for some guidance. I'd like your help in creating a parts list for my first project. I could buy a "starter kit" but I probably won't need much of what's in there and if just like to give this a try first - if I "catch the bug" I'm sure I'll go crazy with my second purchase but I want to start slow and simple so I don't get overwhelmed (and procrastinate even starting!)

I want to create a module that records heart rate and GPS data whenever it's on, and then transfers that data via Bluetooth at a later point in time. It's for sports training and tracking so it needs to be as small and robust as possible, but will probably need high quality/accuracy sensors.

I believe I need:

  1. The brain (and btw, what do I call this so I get search results for just this part? I.e. so I don't buy something with extra, unnecessary modules adding bulk and weight)
  2. A power source
  3. An SD card module
  4. The Bluetooth, heartrate and GPS modules

I can 3d print a customised housing

And are there kits that would suit this project specifically? Eg, would it be best to buy a processor board that already has a battery slot and/or card reader?
Also, I've seen things called "data logger Shield recorders." What are these? Is this items 1, 2 and 3 all in one?

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I'm sure you are dead right about the starter kit. They are for people who don't know what they are doing, but you have a clear goal.

I don't know anything about what you want to do, but one datalogger is much the same as another, and the main difference with yours is that is it portable and battery powered. You may find the Lilypad Arduino useful, as I understand it is designed to be wearable but, since you can make the housing easily, that means that any small Arduino should be OK, but maybe with preference for 3.3v items. I have never found a datalogging shield that suits and make my own. I bet you don't either, as your requirements are even more particular.

Recording data to SD and downloading later at leisure via bluetooth is pretty common practice.

You might find Bluetooth Graphics Terminal really useful. You can have a live graph display on the phone - on the run.

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Have a look at the ESP32 as your Brain - it implements bluetooth and interfaces to all the sensors that you will require.

As a fairly new chip there is still work to be done on implementing low power modes for this chip

Craig

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Wentus:
I want to start slow and simple so I don't get overwhelmed (and procrastinate even starting!)

With GPS included?

How are you with Arduino coding? Or even C/C++ on a PC?

If you do write C++ on a PC there are big differences to Arduino that change how you even approach most tasks. It's not just the limited RAM, AVR's are single-tasking where most PC OS's multitask for you. Yes, you can run an amazing number of things "at the same time" (my take is "together") but it takes a different way that is really simple and was old by 1990.

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craigcurtin:
Have a look at the ESP32 as your Brain - it implements bluetooth and interfaces to all the sensors that you will require.

As a fairly new chip there is still work to be done on implementing low power modes for this chip

Craig

I have had an ESP32 board running at 8uA in sleep; thats a board with a LoRa radio device and OLED display.

A lot of the ESP32 boards out there include a USB to serial adapter on board and they tend to be power hogs in sleep.

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