XBEE shield - suggestions?

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

I am thinking of getting into XBEE communications. I want to connect one XBEE to the computer with something like this SparkFun XBee Explorer USB - WRL-11812 - SparkFun Electronics
and another to my Arduino Duemillanove with one of these:
SparkFun XBee Shield - WRL-12847 - SparkFun Electronics
Arduino XBee Shield
www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Shield-V03-module-Wireless-Control-FOR-Arduino-XBee-ZigBee-/200683349729?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb9a8e6e1

But I am alittle concerned. I need to ensure there is proper 3.3v regulation and level shifting and that it is generally of reasonably good quality.
From what I have read on the sparkfun comments, the regulator is insufficient (although it may be ok with 1mW modules, this shows general cutting corners) and the level shifting is marginal and problematic.
What would you suggest for an XBEE shield and computer adapter? The budget is about $25 each.
I wish the XBEEs were 5v devices.

2

I've found these to work well: http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/xbee®-shield-p-419.html?cPath=132_134 . The LD1117 regulator should be able to provide up to 800mA. Its using a voltage divider for level-shifting the DIN (Serial Rx) only, but if you're only running at 115200 that should be fine. Its also handy that it can switch the serial interface to pins 11 and 12 and let you use software serial, and that it can switch the XBee directly to the USB interface for configuring with X-CTU.

Also you should note that the Sparkfun XBee shield uses a diode for level shifting, which does not work with modules like the WiFly RN-XV.

3

dhunt:
I've found these to work well: http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/xbee®-shield-p-419.html?cPath=132_134

Very cheap! if the shipping is reasonable, this will probably be the way we will go.

The LD1117 regulator should be able to provide up to 800mA.

Plenty of power. Much better then the sparkfun one.

Its using a voltage divider for level-shifting the DIN (Serial Rx) only, but if you're only running at 115200 that should be fine.

Seems like it should be fine at any baud rate

Its also handy that it can switch the serial interface to pins 11 and 12 and let you use software serial, and that it can switch the XBee directly to the USB interface for configuring with X-CTU.

This is good that it uses pins 11 and 12 instead of the hardware interrupt pins for alternates.

Also you should note that the Sparkfun XBee shield uses a diode for level shifting, which does not work with modules like the WiFly RN-XV.

Not sure what "WiFly" is.

But what about for connecting to the computer? Do you recommend something other then the sparkfun one?