Arduino vs. Raspberry Pi 2 vs. ???

[karimwassef]

I'm an Apex user right now but I've been experimenting with the Arduino Uno with success.

Now I'm looking to expand to web monitoring analog data. I can augment the Arduino or just to a more sophisticated micro controller.

I'm looking for feedback from anyone who's gotten some experience with these parts...

How would you do it based on your experience?

 

[perkint]

If you have the coding familiarity to do it on raspberry Pi I would use that. Things like the MCP23017 and PCA9685 (and others) mean it is easy to add all the IO, DAC/ADC and PWM you are likely to ever want, and the Pi has all the power you will need. Plus setting up databases and web access for the data is much easier.

The arduino is great for how easy it is to code for and for a couple of bucks you can buy a nano which has ADC, IO switching and PWM built in, but if you want data logging and or web access, RPi wins hands down. But the coding is a much steeper learning curve for those not used to coding.

Tim

 

[karimwassef]

I'm familiar with coding in c++ and similar languages. Arduino was pretty straightforward.

I'm not familiar with the latest libraries, routines, etc...

 

[karimwassef]

Thanks Tim.

I like the RPI but it is a little more expensive and there's the new learning curve. Looks like it's the way to go if I need data connectivity.

 

[perkint]

You can do it with the arduino, it just isn't as straight forward. But, setting up a web site to access the data and potentially control things is going to be a fair learning curve for someone not used to such things, anyway!

You can always set up with the arduino to control the hardware and add the data logging (& access) and web site control at a later date, using the raspberry Pi for that and adding communications to and from the arduino when you get round to that stage

Tim

 

[karimwassef]

Ok. If the RPI has serial communication, then I can link it to my Arduino Uno and Pro Mini.

Time to start up the RPI learning curve. Any good suggestions on where to start? Good references or guides? Maybe a recommended kit that includes web access...

 

[perkint]

The RPi certainly has serial communication. I would assume SPI, but definitely I2C. It can talk directly to your arduino

As for learning, I'd look to the www.rasperrypi.org tutorials (eg the web server and WordPress) initially, but you will find a world of material out there!

Tim

 

[Gorgok]

A Beaglebone Black is also an option, which is what i use for my tank. Programming wise they should be pretty similar, as both are really just small linux computers. I just have simple C++ programs doing work, timers run by cron, some php and javascript to make the interface work. Its not full featured mainly because the parts that i cared much about work so motivation to continue went away...

 

[obcorriher]

You could look at the Teensy 3.1 - https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/teensy31.html

More powerful processor, more memory, more I/O and much better PWM support - programmed with an extension to the Arduino IDE.

Bob

 

[karimwassef]

Thanks. I got an RPI2B.. going to get on that learning curve.

 

[ViktorVaughn]

I've used both for other hobby electronics and found the adafruit website to be great for learning as well as each companies sites (arduino and raspberry pi).