Hi King (and all), first up full disclosure - I'm Tim from MindKits and I've been watching the thread run and am very happy to see the awareness for local suppliers.<br><br>Although I'm a little biased it's worth pointing out that the creators of the Arduino request that anything built as a clone/copy is labeled other than Arduino. The reason being that when buying an Arduino you know the parts and source can be depended upon. The Arduinos also come from Italy which leads me to believe you're looking at a copy and it's worth weighing up what to do with a faulty board if it breaks or doesn't work and the quality of the components used.<br>
<br>My humble opinion is that if you're going for a knock off you may as well go for a clone from a reputable source with support for when something breaks or goes wrong. Many of these clones have the same key functionality but with extras added on (eg we sell one with a prototyping area on board called the TwentyTen ).<br>
<br>Another example is this board (please excuse the plug but I feel it is fitting):<br><a href="http://mindkits.co.nz/_product_36241/Seeeduino_V328_fully_Assembled">http://mindkits.co.nz/_product_36241/Seeeduino_V328_fully_Assembled</a><br>
<br>You'll note it's also cheaper than the Arduino copy/clone from China, comes with a warranty and someone to call if it all goes pear shaped. The extra features are listed on the MindKits page so I won't force you to read any more from me.<br>
<br>Regards and a huge, genuine thanks to everyone who is keeping hobby tinkering alive in NZ,<br>Tim<br>MindKits Chief Ninja<br><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Mon, Jul 12, 2010 at 9:19 PM, King Au <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:kingau1999@gmail.com">kingau1999@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;"><div><div></div><div class="h5">J Harris wrote:<br>
> Hey King<br>
><br>
> Try <a href="http://www.mindkits.co.nz" target="_blank">http://www.mindkits.co.nz</a> (highly recommended) or<br>
> <a href="http://nicegear.co.nz" target="_blank">http://nicegear.co.nz</a> (I haven't used these guys but they seem to be<br>
> good)<br>
><br>
> Thanks<br>
><br>
><br>
> Joshua Harris<br>
><br>
><br>
> On Sun, Jul 11, 2010 at 10:05 PM, King Au <<a href="mailto:kingau1999@gmail.com">kingau1999@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
><br>
>> Hi,<br>
>><br>
>> I'm going to order some Arduino boards from China. Apparently they are<br>
>> much cheaper in China than buying it here so let me know if you want<br>
>> some as well.<br>
>><br>
>> One of the boards I'm getting is the Arduino Duemilanove 2009, for<br>
>> which people are selling for $72 in Trade me, but it's only $45 if I get<br>
>> some from China. It has a ATmega328 processor and the USB cable is included.<br>
>><br>
>><br>
>> If you can't see the image, try this link:<br>
>> <a href="http://eshopen.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/Arduino%20Duemilanove%20w%20Atmega328.jpg" target="_blank">http://eshopen.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/Arduino%20Duemilanove%20w%20Atmega328.jpg</a><br>
>><br>
>> It also comes with a combo such that an Arduino board + USB cable +<br>
>> power adapter + ISP (In chip System Programming) board for $60<br>
>><br>
>><br>
>> The second one is the Arduino Mega 1280 board:<br>
>><br>
>><br>
>> If you can't see the image, try this link:<br>
>> <a href="http://carancho.com/AeroQuad/store/images/arduino_mega_iso2_800.jpg" target="_blank">http://carancho.com/AeroQuad/store/images/arduino_mega_iso2_800.jpg</a><br>
>><br>
>><br>
>> I personally think it's a very good deal so if you want some for your<br>
>> projects, let me know asap. And if you are new to microcontrollers and<br>
>> want to start a project, these boards are ideal. Because the boards are<br>
>> standard and fully supported in the open source community. Free source<br>
>> code and example available at:<br>
>><br>
>> <a href="http://www.arduino.cc/" target="_blank">http://www.arduino.cc/</a><br>
>><br>
>> Look here for fun projects you can do with arduino boards :<br>
>><br>
>> <a href="http://zedomax.com/blog/2010/02/16/top-10-diy-arduino-projects-and-how-to-tutorials/" target="_blank">http://zedomax.com/blog/2010/02/16/top-10-diy-arduino-projects-and-how-to-tutorials/</a><br>
>><br>
>> Cheers,<br>
>> King Au<br>
>><br>
>> _______________________________________________<br>
>> Chchrobotics mailing list <a href="mailto:Chchrobotics@lists.linuxnut.co.nz">Chchrobotics@lists.linuxnut.co.nz</a><br>
>> <a href="http://lists.ourshack.com/mailman/listinfo/chchrobotics" target="_blank">http://lists.ourshack.com/mailman/listinfo/chchrobotics</a><br>
>> Mail Archives: <a href="http://lists.ourshack.com/pipermail/chchrobotics/" target="_blank">http://lists.ourshack.com/pipermail/chchrobotics/</a><br>
>> Web site: <a href="http://kiwibots.org" target="_blank">http://kiwibots.org</a><br>
>> Meetings 3rd Wednesday of each month 6:30pm<br>
>><br>
>> When replying, please edit your Subject line to reflect new content.<br>
>><br>
>><br>
><br>
> _______________________________________________<br>
> Chchrobotics mailing list <a href="mailto:Chchrobotics@lists.linuxnut.co.nz">Chchrobotics@lists.linuxnut.co.nz</a><br>
> <a href="http://lists.ourshack.com/mailman/listinfo/chchrobotics" target="_blank">http://lists.ourshack.com/mailman/listinfo/chchrobotics</a><br>
> Mail Archives: <a href="http://lists.ourshack.com/pipermail/chchrobotics/" target="_blank">http://lists.ourshack.com/pipermail/chchrobotics/</a><br>
> Web site: <a href="http://kiwibots.org" target="_blank">http://kiwibots.org</a><br>
> Meetings 3rd Wednesday of each month 6:30pm<br>
><br>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line to reflect new content.<br>
><br>
</div></div>Yes, I know there are available in NZ, but I can still get them cheaper<br>
From China.<br>
<br>
For example , the Arduino Duemilanove is $45 in China, but $59 in nicegear.<br>
<br>
Plus I'm getting a whole lots of other things from China as well, the<br>
saving can add up.<br>
<br>
King<br>
<br>
<br>
<<a href="http://nicegear.co.nz/electronics-gear/arduino-duemilanove/" target="_blank">http://nicegear.co.nz/electronics-gear/arduino-duemilanove/</a>><br>
<div><div></div><div class="h5"><br>
_______________________________________________<br>
Chchrobotics mailing list <a href="mailto:Chchrobotics@lists.linuxnut.co.nz">Chchrobotics@lists.linuxnut.co.nz</a><br>
<a href="http://lists.ourshack.com/mailman/listinfo/chchrobotics" target="_blank">http://lists.ourshack.com/mailman/listinfo/chchrobotics</a><br>
Mail Archives: <a href="http://lists.ourshack.com/pipermail/chchrobotics/" target="_blank">http://lists.ourshack.com/pipermail/chchrobotics/</a><br>
Web site: <a href="http://kiwibots.org" target="_blank">http://kiwibots.org</a><br>
Meetings 3rd Wednesday of each month 6:30pm<br>
<br>
When replying, please edit your Subject line to reflect new content.<br>
</div></div></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Regards,<br>Tim<br>MindKits Chief Ninja<br>