Arduino alternative available for R60.00 locally:

willirob · Feb 28, 2012

Inexpensive Arduino Alternatives: The $4.30 TI MSP430 Launchpad Kit

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/02/inexpensive-arduino-alternatives/

Have ordered from rs today: http://za.rs-online.com

Messugga · Feb 28, 2012

willirob said:
Inexpensive Arduino Alternatives: The $4.30 TI MSP430 Launchpad Kit

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/02/inexpensive-arduino-alternatives/

Have ordered from rs today: http://za.rs-online.com

The Launchpad is very different from Arduino in that it has far less support in the form of "shields" as Arduino people refer to expansion modules. Still, it's a fine device to play around with.

g0nt4du · Feb 28, 2012

Sweet! Let us know what you come up with! It's definitely a much cheaper starting point! What processor is it?

bruce_the_loon · Feb 28, 2012

eshwar said:
Sweet! Let us know what you come up with! It's definitely a much cheaper starting point! What processor is it?

It's the Texas Instruments MSP430 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSP430

RoganDawes · Feb 28, 2012

Or just order them directly from TI, for $4.30, including free international courier shipping.

They come with two microcontrollers, headers and a crystal (optional).

I have three, but have not actually done much with them yet. I also got a couple of capacitive touch kits when they were announced.

Vis1/0N · Feb 28, 2012

Got one in 2010 , used the USB cable so far... Have a couple of mbed's lying around as well a LPCxpresso. For R120 you could get the STM32F4 discovery ( not available yet ) or for few rands less the STM32VL boards.

kayvee · Feb 28, 2012

Yeah I also have had a few lying around for months when they were first released by TI almost a year ago.

RoganDawes · Feb 28, 2012

Vis1/0N said:
Got one in 2010 , used the USB cable so far... Have a couple of mbed's lying around as well a LPCxpresso. For R120 you could get the STM32F4 discovery ( not available yet ) or for few rands less the STM32VL boards.

The STM Discovery boards look pretty sweet. But I won't allow myself to buy one until I have done *something* with the Launchpads!

RoganDawes · Feb 28, 2012

Vis1/0N said:
For R120 you could get the STM32F4 discovery ( not available yet )

This page suggests that you can get them from a number of places. Select the "Orderable Products" tab.

RoganDawes · Feb 28, 2012

bruce_the_loon said:
It's the Texas Instruments MSP430 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSP430

FWIW, the MSP430 is a "family" of processors, and there is a huge variety of chips in the family, with a variety of inputs, outputs, form factors, etc.

The Launchpad can accept 14 and 20-pin DIP varieties of the MSP430 family.

Vis1/0N · Feb 28, 2012

RoganDawes said:
This page suggests that you can get them from a number of places. Select the "Orderable Products" tab.

Sorry I meant to say not available locally @RS.za as yet - can back order though http://goo.gl/gubEc

willirob · Feb 28, 2012

For the price - the MSP430 Launchpad Kit is an unbeatable starting point

kayvee · Feb 28, 2012

What ever happened to good ol' veroboard

willirob · Feb 28, 2012

don't start - we know this usually end with punchcards

willirob · Feb 28, 2012

anyone try one of these? Looks pretty awesome

https://estore.ti.com/eZ430-Chronos-868-Chronos-Wireless-development-tool-in-a-watch-P1735.aspx

The_Ogre · Feb 28, 2012

I don't know much about, but I want to start messing around with microchips.

Ordered 2 (knowing me one will be broken on the first day, so I need a backup!)

kayvee · Feb 28, 2012

willirob said:
anyone try one of these? Looks pretty awesome

https://estore.ti.com/eZ430-Chronos-868-Chronos-Wireless-development-tool-in-a-watch-P1735.aspx

Yeah, neat. Not that, done some MSP430 projects with Semtech parts though.

I do like today's announcement of the new Wolverine series of MSP430, half the operating power of the rest of the family, which was already seriously low power.

tooblippe · Feb 28, 2012

Hallo hackers - we have a real hackerspace

HI,

I have ordered some MSP from America. They actually got here. i have plenty arduino's shields etc..... but.....

We recently started a very successful and probably the only Hacker space in South-Africa.

We have arduino, android, electronics, soldering courses...only pay for equipment.
We had a python course recently.
We bought a 3D-printer

man the list is long. give us a visit. (we are non-profit section 21...everyone welcome)

we meet Tuesdays and Fridays....

www.house4hack.co.za

regards
Tobie

willirob · Feb 29, 2012

very cool - we need to look at getting something going in Cape Town

willirob · Feb 29, 2012

Update: Launchpad has landed on my desk, free delivery, to Cape Town less than 24 hours.

Hell that was fast - big thanks to rs and skynet

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