I'm sure I'm going to catch he** for this but I'll discuss it anyway. I've been a Picaxe user for many years. I love the system and believe it is the easiest programming to learn and most reasonably priced programmable system. BUT, if anyone googles anything concerning programming questions, Auduino is always the go-to system. And when referencing the how-to pdf documents for Picaxe, all of the information is relatively old or lacking in addressing new hardware.
My frustration hit the limit when trying to employ an electronic compass module for my ROV. The most current module, the CMPS14, has almost no support from Picaxe. The help forums have very few discussions with no specifics on such things as "calibration". I could get the compass to provide directions but calibration was needed. The documentation for the compass gets way too confusing for my small brain in trying to communicate bytes to the chip. When I went to Devantech to see if they could assist, their only help was to refer me to Arduino programming. The Picaxe manual on interfacing various circuits has no topics on compasses. As a builder of any robotic device, I would think that directional feedback would be a reasonable consideration.
So anyway, I'm just venting. I feel like the Picaxe system should be pushed harder as an excellent choice for hobbyists like myself but in so doing, provide more up-to-date information to keep up with the latest modules. If I'm off-base here, I welcome any constructive feedback. Perhaps there is nothing in the forum discussions because everyone has found it a simple procedure to calibrate their compass. Again, I'm not the sharpest tack in the box but I sure would like to see more work done in the manuals to keep up to date and provide sample programming for assistance. Thanks. Gene Darby
My frustration hit the limit when trying to employ an electronic compass module for my ROV. The most current module, the CMPS14, has almost no support from Picaxe. The help forums have very few discussions with no specifics on such things as "calibration". I could get the compass to provide directions but calibration was needed. The documentation for the compass gets way too confusing for my small brain in trying to communicate bytes to the chip. When I went to Devantech to see if they could assist, their only help was to refer me to Arduino programming. The Picaxe manual on interfacing various circuits has no topics on compasses. As a builder of any robotic device, I would think that directional feedback would be a reasonable consideration.
So anyway, I'm just venting. I feel like the Picaxe system should be pushed harder as an excellent choice for hobbyists like myself but in so doing, provide more up-to-date information to keep up with the latest modules. If I'm off-base here, I welcome any constructive feedback. Perhaps there is nothing in the forum discussions because everyone has found it a simple procedure to calibrate their compass. Again, I'm not the sharpest tack in the box but I sure would like to see more work done in the manuals to keep up to date and provide sample programming for assistance. Thanks. Gene Darby