I would like to express an opinion regarding this thread if I may... The way I am reading this is one person is asking if an Arduino would be a good choice, or even just a choice, for a given purpose. And another responded that it isn't really much bang for the buck, and the form factor is all wrong. Let's assume for the moment that both of those statements are true. But that didn't answer the question, the question being would it be a good choice for a given purpose. In my opinion, that decision would have to come down to the OP. As I see it, virtually every quick prototyping microcontroller on the market has the potential of being fit for a given purpose. The real question is "what will be the difficulty level to me if I use this product over another?" and "If it works in my application, and I want to go to mass manufacturing, will it be a relatively easy transition from the prototyping unit here to a more integrated application specific use of the part in my application?"=20 I have never had the need, or desire, to use the Arduino in any application I have worked on. Most of my applications use the PIC processor. But if I had the need for one, I would try it. Whether I would continue using it after that first application would depend on the asnweers to the two questions I posed above. But I wouldn't discount it totally just because you don't get as much bang for the buck as at least one person has stated. And about the form factor being wrong or not good to me wouldn't make much difference because I would probably change it anyway when I went to integrate the part into my app. But that's just me. YMMV. Just me thoughts on the matter. I now return you to your regularly scheduled traffic. Regards, Jim > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Re: [PIC] Microchip bounties for open source TCP/IP and USB > stacks > From: John Ferrell > Date: Mon, September 19, 2011 1:19 pm > To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." >=20 >=20 > Here is a recent experience: >=20 > My Amateur radio club puts a new fellow in the position of maintaining=20 > the club repeaters. His day job is managing engineers. The 2 meter=20 > machine has become a little temperamental lately, while the 440 machine=20 > is trouble free. It is not really convenient to get to the equipment for= =20 > him. He notes that the 2 meter unit cabinet is a little warmer than the=20 > other one. He considers the situation on the long ride home and orders=20 > an Arduino module with temp sensor and a web adapter shield, noting that= =20 > the web adapter costs more than than the rest of the stuff put together.= =20 > He puts it all together in one evening and it works the first time. An=20 > after work trip to the repeater site is required to place the unit in=20 > the cabinet. He collects data for a week or so and feels the cooling is=20 > marginal. next trip to the site he takes along the tools necessary to=20 > increase ventilation. Monitoring continues. So far, no quirks. He is=20 > now considering the matter of further data collection & control since=20 > the hardware is in place. >=20 > While many will scoff and simply observe that the problem was simple and= =20 > any fool should have seen that more air was needed, our man analyzed,=20 > quantified, fixed and verified the situation with off the shelf tools=20 > with a minimum of travel and labor. Review of the incident (informal)=20 > reveals the potential to minimize both the frequency and impact of=20 > further problems. >=20 > There is no doubt in my mind the he is a manager I could work for! >=20 > The Arduino concept is a good one. The idea of a product package that=20 > can be quickly customized onsite and adapted with minimal programming=20 > skills has arrived. > Copy the concept, it works! >=20 > On 9/16/2011 9:14 PM, IVP wrote: > >>> What variables ? What exactly is wrong, functionally, with the Arduin= o ? > >> It's actually very little for the money and a poorly designed form fac= tor > > That didn't answer the question. Are Arduinos unfit for purpose ? >=20 > --=20 > John Ferrell W8CCW > "Until one has loved an animal, > part of their soul remains unawakened." >=20 >=20 >=20 > --=20 > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .