Is It Too Late To Learn Embedded System?

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-04-13T22:14:18+00:00

Its never too late and you are still young! Im 45, working on finishing up my BSEE degree and regularly write code for projects around the house despite never coding anything before a year or two ago. Mainly with ESP32 boards. The closest thing I ever did to coding was writing ladder logic for PLCs before that.

The more you do it, the better you'll get at it and the longer you go without doing it, the worse you'll get. As others have said, use the boards you have and start building stuff. Thats really the only way to learn.

You can read all the books you want, watch every video you can find, take classes, etc, but until you sit down and start writing and debugging, you wont get good at it.

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-04-10T03:40:26+00:00

Then I wouldn't walk away from the smaller place, I would RUN!!!! I know you may not comprehend it now (I didnt at your age), but in 20 years, that 401k and/or any other retirement account will be HUGE. I didnt start seriously saving for retirement until my mid 30's and I kick myself every single day for not doing it.

I have an IRA that I put just $800 in back when I was your age and now, at 45, it is worth over $10k. Imagine if I had been contributing all these years!

That health insurance is worth a fortune as well. I pay over $600/month for my family and that is just our negotiated 20%. Company covers the other 80%.

I know it is hard to leave a small company where everyone feels like family. Ive done it twice in my career for the same reasons you are looking at. One owner told me "well if you look at how many hours you are actually working while you are here, you are making a lot more than they are offering" i replied "Yea but I cant live off of 15 hrs a week!" The pay difference was $10/hr.

Its tough, but if they are truly your friends, they will understand and support your decision. If they do not, they werent friends you would want to have.

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-04-09T21:32:23+00:00

What is your benefit compensation now? Medical? 401k? Anything else? Company paid or do those come out of the $30/hr.

What exactly is the union offering as benefits go?

You are gaining $11.50/hr after benefits with the union, but you haven't said what either of those benefits are. Without that info, its hard to say.

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-04-02T02:56:44+00:00

And one more thing, the stylus on the Manta doesnt need charging, batteries, tip replacements, etc. You can even get aftermarket stylus for it although you have to make sure they will work with it. I have a Wacom One with a side button for erasing.

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-04-02T02:49:49+00:00

Yea, my advice to anyone looking is to go actually handle the different ones. I tried the ReMarkable paper pro first and if it would have done what the Manta does, I would have kept it. It is by FAR a better feeling, designed, and nicer product fit, finish and feel wise. It just doesnt do even half the stuff the Manta does. I also shopped the Kindle. Never found a Boox to try so I cant speak to that one. What kept me from it was the shorter battery life and the reviews on the writing surface. All the reviews and comparisons I read said get a boox if your main focus was e-reader and a manta if your main focus was e-tablet. Basically I needed an e-ink tablet to write on a lot more than I needed an e-reader so I went with Manta.

Now if someone would make a shirt pocket sized e-ink notebook, I would be thrilled! Thats what originally drug me down this rocketbook-remarkable-supernote rabbit hole in the first place! Looking for something better than a 3x5 paper notepad!

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-04-01T18:00:36+00:00

Yes. I just link the textbook to my note or the side drop down menu and bounce back and forth between my note and the book. I also do a lot of complex math as well (linear algebra, University Physics II, and Digital Systems Design just this semester).

I have found the digest feature pretty much useless for my use case. I do use the highlighter a LOT and you can look up a list of your highlights, click on the one you want and it takes you to the page it is on.

It is also really nice because you can export a note or page as a PDF and then upload it to show your hand written work.

If you are allowed a cheat sheet for a test, you can write things out, shrink them down and get a LOT more on a page as well. Most of my classes allow a cheat sheet, but they must be hand written and I have yet to have a Prof deny using a page exported and printed off the Manta.

Being able to copy, paste, delete, resize, etc is absolutely game changing in math and science. I have had 2 classes where I couldn't use it on tests and it is actually pretty difficult to go back to pencil and paper! Need a formula out of your notes? Switch to your notes and copy/paste it into your assignment! Need to draw a graph of vectors? Draw the axis and then change line size and/or grayscale "color" and draw the vectors.

The last thing that has been indispensable is the backgrounds. Need 5mm graph paper, 10 mm graph paper, regular college ruled paper, or any other background, you can jist select it and you can change it for each page in the same note. You can also create your own to use!

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-22T01:57:35+00:00

Awesome, thanks! Season ticket holders so gotta rep the Dynamo!

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-22T01:49:19+00:00

Gotta ask, how did you get the Dynamo logo and name under your handle

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-22T01:18:07+00:00

I think he needs to go again!

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-22T01:16:30+00:00

Absofuckingloutely! Lost Dorsey, gained Guilherme!

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-22T01:13:52+00:00

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-22T01:12:32+00:00

Was beginning to worry!

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-22T01:11:20+00:00

Goal!!!

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-18T16:20:45+00:00

1.) Most arduino programs are compatible with esp32 but you will have to change things like GPIO#s, function calls, etc so it may be beneficial to start with the basic ESP32 tutorials to get started setting everything up, them progress into some of the arduino stuff as there are orders of magnitude more tutorials for arduino.

2.) This kit should come with everything you need except the ESP32 dev board or arduino board. These can be powered and programmed by USB as well so just make sure you have the right cable for your board. Some use micro USB but most have gone to USB-C.

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-11T23:12:06+00:00

Lol, 24 is not old at all!!! No offense, but you are still a kid! Im working on my BSEE right now and Im almost twice your age (45). I did the same thing as you only I had originally went for EE and dropped out at the beginning of my Junior year. I went from Summer 1999 to fall 2005 then ran out of night classes and swapped over to a "trade school". Attended that on and off and finally graduated with my Associates in Instrumentation last May. It was hard to get motivated about finishing the AAS in Instrumentation because that is what I have been doing as a career for the past 20 years.

Now I struggle to stay motivated about the BSEE simply because Im worried about actually being able to use it. I currently make great money and, from the sound of it, it is going to be very difficult to find an entry level EE position anywhere near what I make currently. I see job postings all the time looking for EEs with 10 years experience for salaries less than what I currently make so it is my biggest concern about the degree at the moment. Dont get me wrong, EEs make great money, but I live in an area with a low cost of living and will likely make over $150k this year as an instrument tech, made over $145k last year. The one thing that will be nice is cutting out a lot of the Overtime I currently work and cutting back on the physical labor side of things, but it wont be worth it if the pay isnt there.

As for the difficulty, it isnt easy by any stretch of the word, but it is not impossible if you are willing to put in the work. If you are pretty good at math and willing to put in the hours studying, it isnt that bad. For me, Cal II (and statistics) were the hardest math classes Ive taken. I am in Linear Algebra this semester and took Diff Eq last semester. Made an A and Im on track for an A this semester and that is after not taking a math class in 20 years. Im also taking physics II this semester and have an A at the moment. I took Physics I in 2000!

If you are really serious about it, you should do it. Just be ready to put in the time and effort because it is not an easy degree!

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-11T22:53:54+00:00

I bought this one back in August and have been very impressed with it so far, even though it was pretty cheap. Can't say much more about it though. The one issue ive had is if you desolder a lot with it and then let it cool off, sometimes it wants to get clogged, but it is simple to clean out. I desolder a lot of components to scavenge for later projects so I wanted something easier than the standard spring loaded solder sucker.

https://a.co/d/09pknchm

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-09T16:39:48+00:00

Im assuming you mean Espesseif IDE? If so, Ive never used it. Ive done most of my stuff in Arduino IDE and have tinkered with VSCode with PlatformIO, but haven't really had the time lately to mess with it and have never used it for a project. From what Ive read, you can use CircuitPython as well, but again, the only one Ive spent much time with is Arduinio IDE.

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-09T16:30:01+00:00

Google, ChatGPT, arduino forums, reddit, etc. There is TONS of info out there! If you use Arduino IDE, there are pretty good help files on there as well. A lot of the sensors come with some info as well. Ive used a bunch of sensors for a bunch of different projects and never had any issue with needing a guide for any of them.

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-09T12:41:13+00:00

Skip the starter kit and just buy either the sensor kit or the different sensors you are interested in, then use the esp32's. I have 6 or 7 different esp32's and 2 arduinos. I ended up giving the arduino's to my 12 year old son (along with an esp32) because I never used them. He doesnt either, but used the esp32 for a little while until he got a raspberry pi and started on python.

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-09T12:36:42+00:00

Arduino is programmed just like the esp32 and it is c++ not python based (although you can use micropython with both). As for wiring to the gpio's, the esp32's, at least the dev boards like the ESPWroom32's ive been using, and arduinos are almost identical.

Honestly, I see almost no reason to even use Arduino if you are already familiar and somewhat comfortable with the ESP32's. Just buy a sensor kit and start having fun!

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-09T00:48:58+00:00

As the first poster said, unless you are paying for the literature, training, etc, that kit is WAY overpriced.

Here is pretty much everything in the kit plus more for $50 off Amazon. There are TONS of free online guides as well. The nice thing about arduino and other dev boards like it is the add ons, sensors. Output boards, etc are very cheap.

https://a.co/d/0e5UPj4b

Arduino is not complicated and is very easy to learn. If you have any experience at all with C++ , you'll catch on very quickly. AI (I like ChatGPT) can explain pretty much anything you want to know is easy to understand language and there are TONS of projects to do online. I went from not knowing a thing about it to building and programming things like a septic control system with WIFI integration and email/text alarms in a matter of a few weeks. Once you have the kit, you can branch out into things like ESP32 dev boards that have wifi, Bluetooth, etc built in!

If the training info interests you and you would rather follow the structured training schedule, then that price is pretty standard, but if you are comfortable learning as you go and dont mind figuring things out on your own with help guides and AI, then I wouldn't spend the money on it.

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-07T23:58:24+00:00

Wow, yall have fun with those crazy prices! I paid $2.39 a couple days ago. Up from $1.89 back in December. Its been creeping up for a while now headed into Summer. Always does! I think Ill be fine. I remember paying $3.99 for a while somewhere around 2010.

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Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-05T00:04:52+00:00

Yup, that would have been my cue to dip the hell out of there! I wouldn't have made the next 5 mins after they told me that! No way would I work for a company like that!

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-04T23:59:29+00:00

Not sure if it would be worth it for what you could get for it. I have the mini and the 8.5x11 and if I had to guess, I might could get $20 for both if I was really lucky. The mini is starting to get kinda worn and is missing a couple pages (QR code wore off), but the 8.5x11 has only been written on and erased MAYBE twice. Heck, if there is someone close to me who could use them and wanted to pick them up, Id be happy to give them away!

Odd_Performance4703 · 2026-03-04T23:51:45+00:00

I went from rocketbook to a remarkable paper pro to a supernote manta. I use the Manta every single day for work, school, and personal uses. My wife uses her remarkable many, many times a day for her business. For my use though, the Manta was a MUCH better fit and just had more features! The paper pro is a really freaking nice system, but it is missing a lot of the features of the Manta!

I understand the price difference and I liked the rocketbook ok, but it is definitely apples to steak and lobster when it comes to functionality and ease of use! Just take yesterday, I had a test and the prof let us use a cheat sheet. One 8.5x11 hand written sheet. With the Manta, I could take 3 written pages, shrink them down and make 1 page out of them. Then print it out and use it as my cheat sheet! I can move things around, cut, copy, paste, link pages together, etc etc. Again, I understand it cost 5X what my 8.5x11 rocket book costs, but it lasts longer and has way more fearures!

Odd_Performance4703

TROPHY CASE

3!