what is the difference between xbee adapter and xbee explore

Hi,

what is the difference between xbee adapter and xbee usb explorer?

Is xbee adapter + FTDI cable = xbee usb explorer?

I am just starting to learn and xbee to my arduino projects.

Do I need additional parts to connect my xbee series 1 to the arduino board? Is the only way to connect this using a special shield or can I connect them just on the breadboard if I already has the xbee adapter?

Does the xbee adapter and xbee explorer bring the pins out from the xbee so I can connect them to the Arduino?

Did you look at the schematics of each? It should be obvious what the difference is from the schematic.

Looks like the usb explorer (wrl-06887) is pretty much the same as the regulated adapter (wrl-11373) except for the usb interface.

I just want to confirm with their tech support or anyone in the forum if I am doing communication from point A and point B all I need is one of each. And when I want to expand to add point C (for point to multipoint) then all I need is just the cheaper wrl-11373

(not the wrl-06887) since I can use that one wrl-06887 to program all the future Xbee right?

with the following setup do I just need 1 regular USB cable instead of FTDI serial to USB right?

point A :

1 - WRL-11373

1- Xbee series 1

1- Arduino-clone

point B :

1 - WRL-06887 (can be used to program)

1 - Xbee series 1

1 - Arduino-clone

point C: just like point A setup

SparkFun does not have anything with PN WRL-06887. However, they have a PN WRL-08687 which is the USB XBee Explorer.

This board has the FTDI USB interface for the XBee (USB to Serial). This is intended to be an interface between an XBee module and a PC USB Port not to an Arduino. Configuration of the XBee modules can be done with this board and Digi’s X-CTU utility program.

Use the XBee regulated adapter (wrl-11373) between the Arduino and the XBee. This connects the Serial pins of the XBee with level shifters to the Arduino’s serial pins. Be sure to change the jumpers on the Arduino.