As others observed, the platforms are all similar. The difference is in the development tools and the education materials. > >
Parallax Basic Stamp kit 'Whats a Microcontroller?" includes a fantastic text. In one weekend you can walk through projects to do most common uCON objectives: control LEDs, servos, create sound, monitor light, use any resistive sensor, detect rotary motion, read/write data, play music notes, use transistors for higher current. No need to think about what to learn next, just go through the ten chapters and then you jave the knowledge to do whatever you want. I like that each chapter has hands-on projects but also slides in the general theory like PWM, RC Time, I/O to PC, Pull Ups, Pulse shaping, EEPROM storage - those concepts will hold you for any work you do with uCON in the future. Every technique for every platform is on the web - the value is in having an expert tell you what to learn in what order and with the lessons logically building. > >
You buy one box for $60 and it is all there, no need to find parts or ask around for what works. No debating about what to learn based on what parts you have - $60 and you are done. Dev board includes breadboard for easy builds so no buying shields or soldering. Power regulation & filters built-in. A servo is included. > >
The other great part is the dev environment. Just download it and use it. No decisions over which compiler or stable versions - all of that is a distraction to a beginner. The language is BASIC-ish so commands are pretty much obvious. The whole load and boot thing is all abstracted. No need for special programming tools, just use the USB cable that comes with it. > >
Two downsides:
If you think you will need a lot of microcontrollers right away then the BASIC STAMP is expensive per unit.
You won't learn about the low-level programming in assembly (but I don't recommend that for a beginner). > >
I've gotten more than ten of these as gifts for friends' teens that have an interest in electronics and computers and almost none end up unused in a drawer. I also use them in classes for adult hobbyists and for 9-10th graders in general science.
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As others observed, the platforms are all similar. The difference is in the development tools and the education materials. > > Parallax Basic Stamp kit 'Whats a Microcontroller?" includes a fantastic text. In one weekend you can walk through projects to do most common uCON objectives: control LEDs, servos, create sound, monitor light, use any resistive sensor, detect rotary motion, read/write data, play music notes, use transistors for higher current. No need to think about what to learn next, just go through the ten chapters and then you jave the knowledge to do whatever you want. I like that each chapter has hands-on projects but also slides in the general theory like PWM, RC Time, I/O to PC, Pull Ups, Pulse shaping, EEPROM storage - those concepts will hold you for any work you do with uCON in the future. Every technique for every platform is on the web - the value is in having an expert tell you what to learn in what order and with the lessons logically building. > > You buy one box for $60 and it is all there, no need to find parts or ask around for what works. No debating about what to learn based on what parts you have - $60 and you are done. Dev board includes breadboard for easy builds so no buying shields or soldering. Power regulation & filters built-in. A servo is included. > > The other great part is the dev environment. Just download it and use it. No decisions over which compiler or stable versions - all of that is a distraction to a beginner. The language is BASIC-ish so commands are pretty much obvious. The whole load and boot thing is all abstracted. No need for special programming tools, just use the USB cable that comes with it. > > Two downsides: If you think you will need a lot of microcontrollers right away then the BASIC STAMP is expensive per unit. You won't learn about the low-level programming in assembly (but I don't recommend that for a beginner). > > I've gotten more than ten of these as gifts for friends' teens that have an interest in electronics and computers and almost none end up unused in a drawer. I also use them in classes for adult hobbyists and for 9-10th graders in general science.