Planning to buy a new Arduino, HELP needed.

Hi all,

I am new to the Arduino Community and since the past two weeks I have been going through different blogs and books to get started and be clear with my basics.

And now that I have got the basic Idea about how the programming Part works, i’ve decided to get my self an Arduino Board.

I Have short listed my Self two Boards That is Arduino Mega 2560 R3 and Arduino ADK.

My basic Idea is that I would like to do more things in Wireless Home Automation and ive seen few videos on net regarding Using them with an Android Fone.

So I would like to ask is:

  1. What is the main Advantage of an ADK over a Mega?? And which board is better to buy in the longer run?

(Like I know that an ADK allows Android Device to be connected in accessory mode, but practically what is the Use of it?)

  1. I would also like to ask, if I purchase a Mega 2560, Will I be able to make any wireless connections with an Android Fone (or iPhone) over the internet?? (like without the need of an Ethernet shield and by using a normal USB cable and computer internet.)

It would be very helpful if someone would spend few mins and explain this to me.

Thankx in Advance :slight_smile:

Opinion: Start with a $30 Arduino board. Or one of these that does a fine job of Arduino compatibility and with direct-from-USB downloading: http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/index.html (see Teensyduino on web page)

The Mega’s with more than 128KB of flash are not useful - the software and libraries won’t work for many situations because the flash is bank-switched (RAMP bits) for addressing code or constants in flash above 128KB.

As to wireless - iphone direct - go Bluetooth, or an XBee series 1 connected to an always-on PC, it being the hub of a home automation system based on XBees.

Or cheaper, though not as plug and play: http://shop.moderndevice.com/ (apologies to SFE) - the Jeenode devices, with Arduino library.

Lastly, be aware of Z-Wave, the prevailing means for wireless home automation. See discussions on it at Homeseer.com user forum.

@stevech Thankx for the reply.

I thought the same about getting a $30 Arduino ( mostly UNO )

But since I am interested into using arduino for bigger projects (like home automation and Bots etc.) I guess The Mega or ADK should be a better option because or more I/O pins and more PWM pins.

The Mega’s with more than 128KB of flash are not useful - the software and libraries won’t work for many situations because the flash is bank-switched (RAMP bits) for addressing code or constants in flash above 128KB.

Can you plz describe this issue a bit in details?? I dont understand why the board with a bigger memory (ie: 250kb) will not be useful. What do you mean by ‘flash is bank switched’ ??

Also Can some one please explain to me the HOST feature of Arduino ADK. Like I know that the ADK can Act as a Host, But practically of what use can this be?

(I ask this because on the net I have seen projects that in which Arduino Boards can be controlled wirelessly ( via WiFi or Internet) to give commands, and in the ADK its the same thing (I guess) but with a USB cable, So what are the Benefits and Practical use of Having Arduino ADK as a HOST device to an ANDROID)

Thankx for helping :slight_smile: