Rate Gyro Wanted with 4-Corner Mounting

[liam.ada]

I think Adafruit did an excellent job designing the ADXL335 breakout board, specifically the four corner mounting holes. This is essential for keeping out unwanted local structural modes out of the analog measurements. Its a much better arrangement than the Sparkfun version. Any plans on making a similar breakout board for rate gyros? I'd rather purchase them from Adafruit than Sparkfun to get the four corner mounting scheme. Thanks.

[adafruit]

we have a gyro design in the works, however there is no ETA, we're very picky and want to get it right

[liam.ada]

Glad to read a gyro breakout board is in the works. Will the board have mount holes at the 4 corners like the accelerometer design? If not, I highly recommend it as an option. I would buy these boards from Adafruit rather than Sparkfun, even if more expensive because of the mount design. Just so that everyone knows, the ADXL335 accelerometer is $24.95 at Sparkfun and only $20 here at Adafruit. Just want to pass on a good deal.

[liam.ada]

"Adafruit" says the rate gyro is on the drawing board, but no estimate on schedule. Can you at least estimate whether it will happen before the end of the year or next quarter (1Q12) perhaps? I'd rather purchase my sensors and other goods here rather than your main competition, Sparkfun. I'm surprised their prices are generally higher because they're located in Colorado. I would've thought New York has higher overhead costs.

[adafruit]

"Adafruit" says the rate gyro is on the drawing board, but no estimate on schedule. Can you at least estimate whether it will happen before the end of the year or next quarter (1Q12) perhaps? I'd rather purchase my sensors and other goods here rather than your main competition, Sparkfun. I'm surprised their prices are generally higher because they're located in Colorado. I would thought New York has higher overhead costs.

hiya,

it will likely be early 2012 - thank you for the kind words and support

thanks,
adafruit

[liam.ada]

What do you make of Sparkfun? And their fast growth (judging from the large number of products)? It seems they're becoming the "Microsoft" of maker/hacker products, whereas Adafruit is "Apple" - small but innovative. Please don't fall too far behind. Sparkfun's color is clearly Red based on their PCBs. So is green Adafruit's color?

[adafruit]

nate from sparkfun was visited the adafruit shop a few weeks ago, we're all friendly and we enjoy competing in the few areas where we overlap. our PCBs are generally blue, we've been moving towards that for all PCBs for awhile.

anything we stock or design is the best, that's our goal. we're definitely not interested in stocking a lot of items that are low quality or not supported well. our customers want great prices, great designs and great support - that is our #1 and also giving back via open-source hardware.

thanks for the kind words about comparing us to apple - we have a different mission. apple does have great hardware and gets the profits in many markets, but is not top market share. market share isn't everything if it's a race to the bottom.

when we release our gyro board, it will be the best one out there, that we can promise - and we hope you'll agree it's worth the wait once you see it

cheers,
adafruit

[liam.ada]

Any hints on the gyro module design? Chip selection? Thanks.

[adafruit]

hiya,

it will likely be early 2012 - thank you for the kind words and support

thanks,
adafruit

[thefatmoop]

Sounds like you have a product almost completed, but possibly for a product that's a tad bit more advanced:

Get the MPU-6050 or MPU-6000 with on board voltage regulation/translation for use with 5v systems! The closest thing out there is the arduIMU V3. Sparkfun sells a breakout, but it's 3.3v only. These chips have a gyro/accelerometer combo (sparkfun, diydrones have imus that use the 6000). Plus they have 16bit ADCs for the gyro and accelerometer.

As for a cheap entry level basic gyro: I would think most people would just buy a wii motion plus 2000dps gyro.


my somewhat of a half ass attempt to make a self balancing robot
http://reibot.org/2012/01/04/self-balancing-robot/

[liam.ada]

Well, my project is just about ready for a dual-axis rate gyro. My plan is to order a few this week from Pololu (link below). I'd like to order them from Adafruit. Any plans for a gyro release? Thanks.

http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1266