[simpits-tech] Phidgets for sale?

[dabigboy at cox.net]

Wow, now I don't feel like such a Phidgets junky. :) What are you doing these days that requires so much Phidget-ing? Haven't seen an update from you for a while

Yep, I can get a servo controller in the mail, write the needed code from scratch (including an X-Plane plugin) in Python, and have a functional instrument in the same afternoon. The Arduino's main advantages seem to be the price and the versatility. It appears that even if I buy a ready-made board (which would probably be the route I go, unless I can find a good Arduino kit supplier that supplies the PCB and all parts), I can get the board, a couple of their "shields", connect and program a character LCD screen, AND have the capability to drive up to 48 (!!!) servos (ok, a little less if I'm using 6 data pins for the LCD, but still.....) for less than the cost of a single 8-servo Phidget board. But, I don't have a lot of time to devote to learning entirely new material right now. And honestly, I love just tinkering with Phidgets in Python....it's like all the fun of programming and physical interface design, without all the headache.

Plus, once my "serious" simulator project gets started, I think most of my sim efforts will be devoted to structure and instrument construction, and acquiring/converting real parts......I am fortunate enough to have an aircraft salvage outfit right here in town, and they just happen to specialize in the type of plane I want to model: Learjets!!!! Soon as my wife and I buy a house, we are going over there for some cockpit-hunting. :)

Matt


---- Roy Coates <roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk> wrote: 
> Heh. funnily enough I've bought about 6 Phidgets in the last month and
> ordered another two today !
> 
> The Arduino is (I think) the smart way to go, but if you're in a hurry - the
> phidgets are a godsend.
> 
> Sorry, I've got nothing spare here right now - suspect others will have
> stuff though.
> 
> 
> On 14 July 2011 06:26, <dabigboy at cox.net> wrote:
> 
> > Hey there, I was just wondering if anyone happens to have any Phidgets
> > boards they're not using and would like to sell (reasonably) cheap? I've got
> > some ideas I want to try out, but I'm having trouble justifying several
> > hundred dollars for boards to "experiment" with.........I know a number of
> > folks have jumped the Phidgets ship for Arduino, I'm a little torn between
> > the two at this point.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Matt
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