ESP8266 Community Forum

- Sun Nov 22, 2015 3:18 pm #34703 Hello everyone!

I apologize if what I'm asking has already been answered. I've been wanting to get into the microcontroller world for a while and this semester I'm taking a class at college (with PICs), and I'm enjoying it quite a lot, so I figured I would get a PIC, but while reading on the net I ended up hearing about the ESP8266.

Here is the question: what are the basic things I would need in order to be able to play around with this chip? At college we have been using one of those boards that have everything included, and since I'm buying from Internet I don't really want to miss anything.

Will this cable work? http://www.ebay.com/itm/200958955841
I might need this too, won't I? Or something similar (as far as I know, it works with 3.3V). http://www.ebay.com/itm/171907055454
This is the ESP8266 in question that I'm buying. I suppose it's the right one, since if you compare the price to certain places like Sparkfun, it's way cheaper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/201205524305

I don't mind spending a couple dozen more bucks for other things, if you guys think they would be helpful, so I would greatly appreciate any tips, since you guys have way more experience.

Thank you

- Sun Nov 22, 2015 4:19 pm #34710 Easiest way is to just get a node MCU. About 7 or 8 buck on bang good. Has the usb to serial built in.

http://www.banggood.com/NodeMcu-Lua-ESP-12E-WIFI-Development-Board-p-985891.html

Fastest way to get started with no hassle. It powers off the usb too so very easy to power once deployed in project. Just use phone charger.

Serial terminal in the chrome browser see https://serialTerminal.com

http://esp8266basic.com
A BASIC interpreter for your ESP

Working now on Autodrop3d. A 3d printer with automatic part ejection system. https://autodrop3d.com

- Sun Nov 22, 2015 4:40 pm #34715 Thank you for answering. I will follow your advice