Smaller isn't always better, but sometimes it's more desirable. Cheaper helps a lot too,
So here's
Part 1 of the search for a smaller
Arduino Mega2560 R3, one of the Arduinos that Ulrich believes to be a good choice for a SPAD.neXt connected controller in addition to, or along with, an Arduino Teensy.
Limiting the number of Arduino type boards is probably the best way to avoid headaches, and lets face it - simpler can be a lot better at times.
For those new to these posts, the Arduino is a multipurpose controller board. The pins on the board can, within limits, work as input or outputs - i.e. one board can provide switches, buttons, encoders, single or 7 segment LED displays at a
price and size well below other solutions such as the Leo Bodnar boards.
Where the Teensy has a large
speed advantage over other Arduinos, the Mega2560 has a larger physical
connector advantage. The choice of those 2 will give people the ability to make everything from small standalone flight controllers to full sized cockpits. Best of all, you can mix and match as needed for the controller size.
Mistakes, mistakes.
Here's what I have at the moment.
As soon as my
Mega2560-CORE mini came in I realized my mistake - It takes a funky non-USB connector. At least it wasn't an expensive mistake.
That is what I have now, and what I've reordered.
Mega2560 R3 Pro Mini (funky)
USB Mega2560 R3 Pro Mini
While I wait for the USB version to arrive I tested the "funky" Mega2560 R3 Pro Mini.
Using the Arduino IDE (the software that actually puts the code on the Arduino board), every Mega2560 R3 code that I tried will run on BOTH the Mega2560 R3, and the (funky) Mega2560 R3 Mini.
Success? Not quite. When I tried the MobiFlight Connector software the new board wasn't recognized. That in it's self isn't unheard of. the MobiFlight software can be very picky about any variance in Mega2560 R3 boards.
So for now, we have a newer, smaller, Mega2560 R3 compatible board that only costs a little more than a "standard" Mega2560 R3. If the USB version works out, that would be great.
It may not be a problem at all, time will tell.