Hey there,
After researching into Arduinos uses I came across Freeduino:
I wondered, since its cheaper and offers some different features...why don't most people go for it?
Also, what CANT it do that the Arduino can?
Im just wondering if other hardware might not be compatible.
Any hints and tips are welcomed!
Thanks!
I've got a couple each of the NKC and Fundamental Logic serial boards, and 5 of the RBBBs. I use the former when I'm doing something with a shield, and the latter when I'm not. I treat the RBBBs like big chips: I plug them into a protoboard with whatever other circuity I need for the project, because that tends to be cheaper than buying a prototyping shield.
The only significant difference is that most of the "official" Arduinos have a USB interface on the board. Which is more convenient for most folks. Especially when they're using the Arduino as a PC peripheral. Since I'm also a cheapskate when it comes to PCs, all my development systems are old enough to have "legacy" serial ports. Plus I often do projects that interface to serial devices. So it's more convenient for me to have a serial interface and a power supply that doesn't depend on being plugged into a USB port.
It's pretty much a matter of taste, and of what sort of things you're doing with the Arduino. If you're only buying one or two Arduinos, and are a typical user, you'll probably prefer to buy them ready-made. If you have a good parts supply on-hand, and don't mind trading some time for a few dollars' savings per board, go for the bare Freeduino boards.
Ran
No reason not to get a clone, and the Freeduino and Seeeduino are excellent examples.
One of the important reasons to get an official board though is to support the original developers.
That in turn goes to paying for development of the IDE, development of the website, hosting the forums, and of course developing new hardware vesions.
That in turn goes to paying for development of the IDE, development of the website, hosting the forums, and of course developing new hardware vesions.
Well said. That's why my first Arduino is an official Duemilanove, but I plan on making my own (ie, buying a kit or something) soon :).
Well said. That's why my first Arduino is an official Duemilanove, but I plan on making my own (ie, buying a kit or something) soon
Yep, I agree too but now I have my duemilanove I may buy a mega but apart from that it'll mainly be custom/copy/home made boards...
Mowcius
now I have my duemilanove I may buy a mega
Yes, I've also kind of been thinking along those lines too. But if I do buy a mega, it'll probably be a clone, because they're usually so much cheaper :P.