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Why we won't be selling Genuino or Arduino any more

blog.pimoroni.com

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Re: Why we won't be selling Genuino or Arduino any more

#131

Post by TeMPOraL »

ohitsdom wrote: post #99
SEJeff wrote: post #66

I really don't see the point of the arduinos when you can buy an esp8266 that is arduino compatible (you can use the arduino IDE and sketches). You can get the bare esp8266 chips for $1-$2 from aliexpress, or buy a tricked out one from adafruit (the huzzah) for $9. They have a full wifi stack, support micropython, etc. I think we're in a post-arduino age for microcontrollers. There are simply better options out there…

I don't understand the comments that ESP8266's can replace Arduinos. Don't you still need to wire the ESP8266 to a microcontroller? I'm a hardware novice, and I love Arduinos. I'd appreciate any info to help me learn, seems like I'm missing something. To me the ESP8266 is a superior alternative to Arduino wifi shields, not the Arduino itself.

Also, don't you need weird hardware to drop the voltage and connect it to the PC? I've only managed to do anything with NodeMCU so far, which is basically ESP8266 glued to the aforementioned weird hardware.

Re: Why we won't be selling Genuino or Arduino any more

#132

Post by TeMPOraL »

markhahn wrote: post #94

Good response, and indeed the "maker vibe" seems to have been poisoned by commercial concerns... Real makers tend to buy unbranded stuff from Chinese free-shipping places anyway. Branded Arduino is mostly a historic artifact...

Indeed, and I've heard of similar stories happening around Polish 3D printer scene few years back. Basically, it seems that when an open source project becomes popular, somebody wants to make money off it, and eventually shit like this happens.

Re: Why we won't be selling Genuino or Arduino any more

#134

Post by neltnerb »

FuNe wrote: post #55
Kadin wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not "the next big thing", as much as it's a lot of little things. There's always been a gap between software and the physical world; the Arduino lets people easily bridge that gap. Though the typical projects are trivial as you suggest, the effect of being able to easily construct such projects is significant. That said, I think there are other MCs aside from the Arduino that are more interesting today, because…

"other MCs aside from the Arduino that are more interesting today" Can you give a few links? Thanks in advance.

I've entirely moved from Arduino to the Teensy, which is pretty much entirely software-compatible (excepting pin number changes), but uses an ARM Cortex M4 with 32-bit architecture at up to 96MHz on a much smaller board. The guy who makes them is also incredibly helpful on the support forums and constantly adding new features.

The peripherals are so much better it's comical. Basically all pins capable of 16-bit PWM, having dual 12-bit ADCs, a real DAC, and removing most of the extra junk? Amazing.

Now I just use it as a plug in brain for my custom boards, since it takes all the hardest to solder parts for an entire SoC and puts them in a form factor that's quite small and appropriate power for anything I've wanted to do so far.

https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/

Re: Why we won't be selling Genuino or Arduino any more

#135

Post by flamedoge »

timlyo wrote: post #81
manyxcxi wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because they're much friendlier to get started for the novice, most of the widespread examples seem extremely trivial to someone with experience. Now- I'm DEFINITELY not an expert, probably barely mediocre with the EE fundamentals, but I did take a lot of EE and some robotics at Uni to get my degree in Computer Engineering. I am nothing more than a hobbyist but some of my cooler projects have been: - Autonomous 4WD r…

>A USB nerf gun that shoots at the developer who broke the Jenkins build Anywhere I can read any more about this?

I keep throwing money at the screen, but I don't get the nerf gun.

Re: Why we won't be selling Genuino or Arduino any more

#136

Post by j1vms »

mrob wrote: post #57
azdle wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, but if the farm tractor was cheaper, faster, and could carry more cargo than the truck, why wouldn't you just use the tractor?

AVRs have much better sleep modes (single digit microamps) and predictable performance (to the exact clock cycle) by default. If you need long battery life or hard real-time performance then they're probably a better choice than the Raspberry Pi.

All reasonable responses in this thread to GP, but parent hits the nail on the head.

For non-hobbyist problems where you really need a microcontroller, it is selected by spec (in terms of performance, operational predictability, physical/material properties, power consumption), and then purchased in volume (~ millions). Employing a general-purpose CPU for said problem, while potentially alright when prototyping, would not be satisfactory.

Re: Why we won't be selling Genuino or Arduino any more

#138

Post by win_ini »

manyxcxi wrote: post #69
nathancahill wrote: post #28

Serious question: what are people building with these boards? The recurring projects I've seen are controlling lights, doors/locks and monitoring water in plants. I don't find these particularly compelling, am I missing something? How is this the next big thing?

Because they're much friendlier to get started for the novice, most of the widespread examples seem extremely trivial to someone with experience. Now- I'm DEFINITELY not an expert, probably barely mediocre with the EE fundamentals, but I did take a lot of EE and some robotics at Uni to get my degree in Computer Engineering. I am nothing more than a hobbyist but some of my cooler projects have been: - Autonomous 4WD r…

Similar to the nerd question - could you describe your approach to the freezer monitor? I have a cabin I don't live nearby to, and I basically can't keep anything in the freezer. It seems to go out often enough to unfreeze then refreeze the ice cube water.

I was thinking a flat thermistor. Then I started thinking - what if it's not the power, but the freezer itself?

Now I'm getting into a battery to log when power is out, save that state, continue logging temps, then transmit after the wifi (assuming loss of power - although I have a UPS for the modem/wifi that will last a few hours) is available again. This obviously adds complexity.

Would love to hear your approach to that project....

Re: Why we won't be selling Genuino or Arduino any more

#139

Post by pg_is_a_butt »

erichocean wrote: post #137

Anyone know of any small, low-cost, battery powered programmable boards for Bluetooth LE? I've got the Pi 3 and CHIP is ordered, but I'd love something smaller if possible. Thanks!

just don't get a genuino... i bought one, and they sued me for breathing too much.

NOT A LIE.

you're all idiots.

Re: Why we won't be selling Genuino or Arduino any more

#140

Post by win_ini »

win_ini wrote: post #138
manyxcxi wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because they're much friendlier to get started for the novice, most of the widespread examples seem extremely trivial to someone with experience. Now- I'm DEFINITELY not an expert, probably barely mediocre with the EE fundamentals, but I did take a lot of EE and some robotics at Uni to get my degree in Computer Engineering. I am nothing more than a hobbyist but some of my cooler projects have been: - Autonomous 4WD r…

Similar to the nerd question - could you describe your approach to the freezer monitor? I have a cabin I don't live nearby to, and I basically can't keep anything in the freezer. It seems to go out often enough to unfreeze then refreeze the ice cube water. I was thinking a flat thermistor. Then I started thinking - what if it's not the power, but the freezer itself? Now I'm getting into a battery to log when power is…

Oops. "Nerf" - not "nerd". Although I think we'd both agree - both terms apply.
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