I've been looking to buy an Arduino for a while now, but I don't know what the difference between the models are.
This has probably been covered somewhere else, but I couldn't find it. If it has, a pointer would be appreciated.
I would like to:
Have the board control different robotic appendages
Output to some sort of screen
Have some sort of input
program it with Java, I heard somewhere you could do this.
not kill my bank account
be well documented
Your criteria would just about every board. I would start with the dicemel... uhh, the 2009 as I call it. Don't rush your learning either. Start small first, then build up from there.
Have the board control different robotic appendages
Arduino boards can drive up to 12 servos (Some boards like the Mega can drive more)
Output to some sort of screen
What kind of display do you want? Arduino can drive LCD displays and there are plug-in boards (called shields) that add simple video support.
Have some sort of input
Most Arduino boards have 6 analog inputs and 11 free digital inputs (two are used for serial. Upt to six more can be available if not all the analog inputs are needed)
program it with Java, I heard somewhere you could do this.
Arduino is not programmed in Java. The language uses abstractions to try and hide some of the underlying technology but the programming is in C/C++.
The IDE (the development client used to create programs) happens to be written in Java but the code you write will C/C++. But if you look at some of the example tutorials you may find the syntax is easy to understand if you are familiar with Java.
not kill my bank account
You can get an Arduino compatible board for under $20
be well documented
The documentation is all available online so you can judge that for yourself
Perhaps if you say more about the scale of the project you want to build you can get more specific advice about the suitability of arduino for your needs.
You need to list the specifications that your project requires.
How many inputs and outputs and the type of I/O.
Do you need wireless communication? LCD? Analog
outputs? Real-time clock? etc.
The various boards that I sell are at Loading...
There is a datasheet and application hints for each board.