# cheaper replacement for XBEE

**URL:** <https://community.sparkfun.com/t/cheaper-replacement-for-xbee/13167>\
**Category:** Wireless & IoT\
**Created:** [November 6, 2009, 10:41am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/cheaper-replacement-for-xbee/13167 "2009-11-06T10:41:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![H.S.Srinivas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f05b48/32.png) [@H.S.Srinivas](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/H.S.Srinivas)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 10:41am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/cheaper-replacement-for-xbee/13167/1 "2009-11-06T10:41:35Z")

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Hi,

i have been using XBEE series 2 modules for transmitting event based 2 bytes of data. I think thats an overkill. I want to know whether a cheaper replacement ( 433 X’ciever???) is available?

Are they simple to interface to a microcontroller?

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**Author:** ![angelsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@angelsix](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/angelsix)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 10:56am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/cheaper-replacement-for-xbee/13167/2 "2009-11-06T10:56:34Z")

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nRF24L01+ are little cheaper in small batches and lot cheaper in bulk. Optionally for raw data transmission normal 434 RF transmitter/receivers may do you at a few dollars a pop. Both sold in SF shop and easy to implement (434 being the easiest just plug and go)

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**Author:** ![stevech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba8739/32.png) [@stevech](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/stevech)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/cheaper-replacement-for-xbee/13167/3 "2009-11-06T17:43:52Z")

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> H.S.Srinivas:  
> Are they simple to interface to a microcontroller?

At $5 or so, no, they're not easy, due to protocols.

If you can pack into 8 bits, the HT 640 encoder/decoder chips might work

[http://www.rentron.com/rf\_remote\_control.htm](http://www.rentron.com/rf_remote_control.htm)

[http://www.rentron.com/PicBasic/8-BIT-RF2.GIF](http://www.rentron.com/PicBasic/8-BIT-RF2.GIF)

But these are unidirectional, no error detection. If that fits the need.