Farewell Arduino, it's been emotional
Arduino's have served me well. I still use them for the little projects, but things have progressed.
The 2560p is a good base for most projects. The Pro Mini has it's uses too, but 9 times out of 10, I ran out of programming space.
I started a new DMX controller project on a Pro Mini, and it soon became apparent that I was going to run out of space, not to mention pins.
So I grabbed a Teensy 3.2 (because it's 5v pin tolerant). And began playing.
Wow... this thing is fast (and now also unavailable)
Currently, this Pro Mini sized beast is connected (and running):
A GSM module
A custom DMX receiver
A Bluetooth receiver
An RFID reader
2 Nextion touch screens
A 1.8" TFT screen
A 0.96" I2C Oled screen
2x I2C MCP23017 16 way switches
That is way above what an Arduino could have run. They are more costly, but you get quite a bit more.
The 2560p is a good base for most projects. The Pro Mini has it's uses too, but 9 times out of 10, I ran out of programming space.
I started a new DMX controller project on a Pro Mini, and it soon became apparent that I was going to run out of space, not to mention pins.
So I grabbed a Teensy 3.2 (because it's 5v pin tolerant). And began playing.
Wow... this thing is fast (and now also unavailable)
Currently, this Pro Mini sized beast is connected (and running):
A GSM module
A custom DMX receiver
A Bluetooth receiver
An RFID reader
2 Nextion touch screens
A 1.8" TFT screen
A 0.96" I2C Oled screen
2x I2C MCP23017 16 way switches
That is way above what an Arduino could have run. They are more costly, but you get quite a bit more.
And a whole pile of other kit. 5000+ lines of code, and it's not even half full with only 11% of the variable memory used.
Most of the Arduino libraries have ported over well. A few needed tweeking, but the majority worked straight off.
Most of the Arduino libraries have ported over well. A few needed tweeking, but the majority worked straight off.
The Teensy 3.2. A Pro-mini sized processor board that packs a punch.
This was my default board, as it was 5v tolerant on all of its pins. That is very handy when interfacing with various controls, boards and sensors. Unfortunately, as an update here in 2024, the Teensy 3.2 is now all but unavailable. Times have moved on and the chip is now very difficult to source. I have a small supply of them and I am saving those for my Multi-purpose SFX board I designed (picture on the right). You can see a more in depth explanation of that project here: |
It doesn't look like there will ever be a replacement for the Teensy 3.2 which is a shame.
There are other Teensy boards, but I find that they can be a little bit overkill in size and price for what I need sometimes.
If I am going for a project that is Teensy based, then it's probably going to be the 4.1. Expensive (relatively speaking), but incredibly powerful.
The Teensy forum as a general rule is far more friendly than the Arduino Forum. I have found them very helpful, especially Paul who is the inventor of the Teensy range of processors.
There are other Teensy boards, but I find that they can be a little bit overkill in size and price for what I need sometimes.
If I am going for a project that is Teensy based, then it's probably going to be the 4.1. Expensive (relatively speaking), but incredibly powerful.
The Teensy forum as a general rule is far more friendly than the Arduino Forum. I have found them very helpful, especially Paul who is the inventor of the Teensy range of processors.
Accessories 'n' stuff
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You can also purchase Teensy add-on modules that are incredibly useful.
I think the one I purchase the most often is the audio board. Based on an SGTL5000 audio processor, it gives you an amazing array of options for sound control.
It has an onboard SD card and plugs directly into the Teensy board. You have headphones, mic, line in and line out.
This is programmed using a VERY flexible, free drag 'n' drop programming system (the link is on the audio board page).
You can overlay, mix, fade and process sound effects and music very easily.
One thing I will point out is I have had consist issues with long term failures with these audio boards and never worked out why.
Possibly power supply interference (make sure your supply is well suppressed).
On multiple occasions I have had to go out and re-upload the code because the board had died for no apparent reason.
Even more annoying, is they tend to fail by emitting horrible noises!
If I can get away with simpler MP3 modules that don't need fancy mixing abilities, I tend to use those 'dumb' MP3 modules as I find them more resilient.
There are also Ethernet breakouts, RGB led driver breakouts and extra memory chips available.
But, as I said earlier, you have to pay a bit more for these capable processors.
I think the one I purchase the most often is the audio board. Based on an SGTL5000 audio processor, it gives you an amazing array of options for sound control.
It has an onboard SD card and plugs directly into the Teensy board. You have headphones, mic, line in and line out.
This is programmed using a VERY flexible, free drag 'n' drop programming system (the link is on the audio board page).
You can overlay, mix, fade and process sound effects and music very easily.
One thing I will point out is I have had consist issues with long term failures with these audio boards and never worked out why.
Possibly power supply interference (make sure your supply is well suppressed).
On multiple occasions I have had to go out and re-upload the code because the board had died for no apparent reason.
Even more annoying, is they tend to fail by emitting horrible noises!
If I can get away with simpler MP3 modules that don't need fancy mixing abilities, I tend to use those 'dumb' MP3 modules as I find them more resilient.
There are also Ethernet breakouts, RGB led driver breakouts and extra memory chips available.
But, as I said earlier, you have to pay a bit more for these capable processors.