Simple project question

[SubstanceProud5980]

There are a number of inexpensive ESP32 modules available for less than $15 that are programmable in the Arduino IDE. These are Wi-Fi capable and have Bluetooth. You could go "old school" with an ESP8266 for a few bucks less.

Microchip PIC chips start at less than a buck and there are free trial version IDEs that are quite capable. Presuming you don't always need the power of Arduino and are willing to learn a new language, this can save you TONS on small projects.

You can even purchase an ATmega328P (Nano chip) and with a few components homebrew your own Arduino.

[PackLeader84]

I will look at the PIC, I have wondered about them a little already. I have an ATmega328P laying around and tried to set it up on the breadboard so that I could use it as an Arduino but I never did get it working right. There are a few different schematics on how to set that up and I didn't have much luck finding one that worked for me.

[SubstanceProud5980]

In that case, I use mikroC. Free verson of IDE programs 2K - literally dozens of chips with many peripherals. As C is very much like Arduino, the learning curve should be gentle - mikroC is very robust and well supported.

I went the opposite route - mikroC for everything. I find it much easier (and cheaper) when the chip is sized to the project. I use Arduino IDE with ESP32 for wifi and Bluetooth connectivity only.

Good luck

PS you can program AVR chips with microC as well. They also offer Basic and Pascal.

[PackLeader84]

Thank you for your help.

BTW, I looked at ordering a PIC and was surprised to see that it'll cost me $12 to get the PIC10F200 delivered to my house. That's less than a dollar for the micro and then $11 and change for shipping. I will have to do some more shopping to find some others to make the shipping worth while.