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What are the advantages of using something like the ESP8266 vs using a microcontroller such as the ATmega series found in things like Arduino boards, etc.?

by stryk 11y ago

unwind 11y ago
The ESP8266 has on-board WiFi and is a much more capable microcontroller (32-bit, as opposed to the 8 bits the ATmega wields). A typical ESP8266 module is around $5, which is much cheaper than an Arduino (I know you mentioned the "bare" ATmega, but that's going to have to go on some board, whereas the ESP8266 is already a PCB module, at $5).
- stryk 11y ago
  I see, thanks for the info! It sounds like (to me, someone just starting down the microcontroller rabbit hole) like the 8266 might be something to aspire to use down the road. I'm not sure if the ESP8266 is as easy to use? The big advantage to the Arudino boards seems to be ease of use, ie; there are so many pre-built libraries to use for components, and "programming" them after that involves issuing it basic commands, not a whole lot of deep code (the way I understand it so far, that is). [e: typos]
  - pfalcon 11y ago
    The aim of MicroPython port for ESP8266 is exactly to make it very easy to use, even for beginners/people coming from "desktop". (Other people will answer that ESP8266 already has easy enough tools to use, and I won't argue with that either.)
  - davelnewton 11y ago
    You can use the same Arduino IDE now. Which makes more sense depends on your needs; if you're heavily invested in the Arduino ecosystem (primarily add-on boards) it might not be a great fit. But for a GP board with enough GPIO to get small things done, it's a great board, and just as easy to use. For example, I have a number of lights hooked up to it using SSRs. I use it more as a peripheral chip rather than a main controller, because it's so ridiculously cheap and easy to use. Where I used to use IR comms to hook together small devices (light/power controllers, sensors) I use these now.

What are the advantages of using something like the ESP8266 vs using a microcontroller such as the ATmega series found in things like Arduino boards, etc.?

by stryk 11y ago

What are the advantages of using something like the ESP8266 vs using a microcontroller such as the ATmega series found in things like Arduino boards, etc.?

unwind 11y ago

The ESP8266 has on-board WiFi and is a much more capable microcontroller (32-bit, as opposed to the 8 bits the ATmega wields). A typical ESP8266 module is around $5, which is much cheaper than an Arduino (I know you mentioned the "bare" ATmega, but that's going to have to go on some board, whereas the ESP8266 is already a PCB module, at $5).

stryk 11y ago
I see, thanks for the info! It sounds like (to me, someone just starting down the microcontroller rabbit hole) like the 8266 might be something to aspire to use down the road. I'm not sure if the ESP8266 is as easy to use? The big advantage to the Arudino boards seems to be ease of use, ie; there are so many pre-built libraries to use for components, and "programming" them after that involves issuing it basic commands, not a whole lot of deep code (the way I understand it so far, that is). [e: typos]
- pfalcon 11y ago
  The aim of MicroPython port for ESP8266 is exactly to make it very easy to use, even for beginners/people coming from "desktop". (Other people will answer that ESP8266 already has easy enough tools to use, and I won't argue with that either.)
- davelnewton 11y ago
  You can use the same Arduino IDE now. Which makes more sense depends on your needs; if you're heavily invested in the Arduino ecosystem (primarily add-on boards) it might not be a great fit. But for a GP board with enough GPIO to get small things done, it's a great board, and just as easy to use. For example, I have a number of lights hooked up to it using SSRs. I use it more as a peripheral chip rather than a main controller, because it's so ridiculously cheap and easy to use. Where I used to use IR comms to hook together small devices (light/power controllers, sensors) I use these now.