Arduino, Genuino … or what Clone ?

This topic has 15 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 8 August 2015 at 20:14 by Michael Gilligan.

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8 August 2015 at 10:29 #15079
Michael Gilligan
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@michaelgilligan61133
Advice requested
Advert

8 August 2015 at 10:29 #199650
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
I need to buy an Arduino 2560 Mega, for a specific project

[ it's not quite a CNC Machine Tool, but near enough ]

There are numerous Clones available on ebay, but; as I am following an existing, successful, design, I was minded to buy a "real" one … and was happy that, by so-doing, this would make some small contribution to the developers.

RS Components seems reasonable enough. … highly reputable, free delivery, etc.

Then I looked at the Arduino.cc website; and the plot thickened, with mention of the Genuino.

The Arduino is listed, but out of stock

Searching for Genuino, returns this page and the tale of intrigue on the pages linked from it … Reminiscent of a 'falling-out' in a Rock Band.

.

So … does anyone have some clear advice please.

Do I buy from RS, or buy a Clone? … and if a Clone; which one?

Thanks

MichaelG.
8 August 2015 at 11:07 #199653
jason udall
Participant
@jasonudall57142
My experience is of nano’s mostly…
These cloned variants differ only in the usb/serial chip and consequentially required driver ( doesn’t seem to be issue under windows but not native under android)
If you can get your mega as genuine and cost is not an issue do that.
( I think cost is about the same on the megas..it gets a bit different on nano-s..3quid for clone and 30 for “genuine”)

In any case since the design is “open”..what is genuine anyway…
I take the hump paying a premium for what turns out to be generic.

The rs route is low fuss low risk.
8 August 2015 at 12:36 #199666
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Thanks for your thoughts, Jason

I may end-up buying one from RS, and one from A.N.Other … at best that should mean that I've got two, at the average price.

MichaelG.
8 August 2015 at 12:55 #199669
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
The joke is that the devices are meant to be completely open source, and then people grump that other people are making and selling 'arduino' boards…

Neil
8 August 2015 at 13:13 #199673
Versaboss
Participant
@versaboss
Last April I bought an Arduino Mega 'basic starter learning kit' from Banggood. If I can trust wha't's writen on the board, it contains a Arduine 'Made in Italy', but not marked as a a 'Genuino'.

The good things with this set: for not much more than a naked board (well even less when I look at the RS price; I paid about $40 or £27) you get a box full of goodies also. To mention the most important: 2 breadboards and a handful of connector wires, an empty shield, a LCD display, a small stepper motor wih driver (no documentation unfortunately…), an infrared sender (keyboard), several 7-segment displays, a small RC servo, and bags with LEDs, resistors, switches and and and…

OK, this is it:

**LINK**

I'm very happy with this seller (usual disclaimer)

Regards, HansR.
8 August 2015 at 13:58 #199678
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Neil Wyatt on 08/08/2015 12:55:26:

The joke is that the devices are meant to be completely open source, and then people grump that other people are making and selling 'arduino' boards…

.

Neil,

The 'joke' is, I think, described quite well here.

[one of the sub-links from my first post]

MichaelG.
8 August 2015 at 14:04 #199680
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Versaboss on 08/08/2015 13:13:34:

Last April I bought an Arduino Mega 'basic starter learning kit' from Banggood. If I can trust wha't's writen on the board, it contains a Arduine 'Made in Italy', but not marked as a a 'Genuino'.

….

OK, this is it:

**LINK**

I'm very happy with this seller (usual disclaimer)

Regards, HansR.

.

Thanks for this, HansR.

… The Genuino fiasco is quite recent, so may not yet have hit the open market.

MichaelG.

.

Edit: … It looks quite a bargain [unless, of course, I get hit for import VAT and Post Office 'administration fees']

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 08/08/2015 14:19:40
8 August 2015 at 15:09 #199685
dcosta
Participant
@dcosta
Hello Michael Giligan, good afternoon.

Have you noticed there's another, recent, member of the Arduino family (Arduino Yún) with two processors (ATmega32u4 and Atheros). The first is the usual the second runs a Linux distribution.And the Arduino processor can comunicate with the Linux processor which opens a new world of possibilities…
See ***HERE*** , please.

regards
Dias Costa
8 August 2015 at 18:00 #199705
Roger Woollett
Participant
@rogerwoollett53105
HobbyTronics say they have 3 in stock.

**LINK**

I have used them in the past and had good service.
8 August 2015 at 18:59 #199716
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
Posted by Michael Gilligan on 08/08/2015 14:04:35:

… The Genuino fiasco is quite recent, so may not yet have hit the open market.

MichaelG..

I was always confused that the 'business' model was anyone can manufacture an arduino but only arduino can call it one… I'm not surprised it's turned into a branding car-crash.

Also very strange that the Arduino built boards are vigorously market as 'genuine' yet the whole thing was set up so to encourage third party manufacture… so if you make an 'arduino' what are you supposed to call it?

Neil
8 August 2015 at 19:31 #199719
jason udall
Participant
@jasonudall57142
The schematic files and an implementation of layout are published.
So unless a given supplier wishes to tweek the build. .These are interchangeable.
Given that the parts are to spec.

Now with nano’s there are cheap implementations using substitute components which as I said use a different driver.. ( usb).
There have also been cases where the bootloader hasn’t been loaded..which for the unprepared is a pain..
..
Frankly once I have found a reliable supplier of reliable boards I stick with them until…
8 August 2015 at 19:36 #199720
jason udall
Participant
@jasonudall57142
Oh..and there is the FTDI chip fiasco…
Where a manufacture ALEDGEDLY ..rewrote their driver to ‘brick’..bootleg chips…..
to much negative publicity.

Edited By jason udall on 08/08/2015 19:37:03
8 August 2015 at 19:45 #199723
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by dcosta on 08/08/2015 15:09:18:

Hello Michael Giligan, good afternoon.

Have you noticed there's another, recent, member of the Arduino family (Arduino Yún) with two processors (ATmega32u4 and Atheros). The first is the usual the second runs a Linux distribution.And the Arduino processor can comunicate with the Linux processor which opens a new world of possibilities…
See ***HERE*** , please.

regards
Dias Costa

.

Dias,

Thank you for the information. … Much appreciated.

Although the Arduino Yún does look very interesting, it is not what I need on this occasion. …I am replicating someone else's design almost exactly, and that requires that I use the Mega.

MichaelG.
8 August 2015 at 19:47 #199724
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Roger Woollett on 08/08/2015 18:00:44:

HobbyTronics say they have 3 in stock.

**LINK**

I have used them in the past and had good service.

.

Thanks Roger … but it's a little cheaper at RS.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 08/08/2015 20:17:45
8 August 2015 at 20:14 #199728
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Neil Wyatt on 08/08/2015 18:59:35:

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 08/08/2015 14:04:35:

… The Genuino fiasco is quite recent, so may not yet have hit the open market.

MichaelG..

I was always confused that the 'business' model was anyone can manufacture an arduino but only arduino can call it one… I'm not surprised it's turned into a branding car-crash.

Also very strange that the Arduino built boards are vigorously market as 'genuine' yet the whole thing was set up so to encourage third party manufacture… so if you make an 'arduino' what are you supposed to call it?

Neil

.

Neil,

If I understand correctly [and I fully accept that I may not].
- The idea of marketing "genuine" Arduinos was so that people could effectively make a small cash contribution towards the development.
- Yes, the design is 'open source' … but it was anticipated [hoped] that hobbyists would be building their own, and maybe feeding something back into the project.
- Commercial manufacturers of 'Clones' were expected to identify their product as such [so that buyers knew they were not contributing to the project], and not to pass-it-off as "genuine".
All a bit naive in this harsh commercial world, I suppose. … But there are still a few people left that have 'Hippy' sensibilities.

MichaelG.
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