Why so many shields?

Adafruit Ethernet, Motor, Proto, Wave, Datalogger, GPS Shields - etc!

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leon471
 
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Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2022 12:12 pm

Why so many shields?

Post by leon471 »

I’m trying to figure out why so many components use shields, and when it’s appropriate to use one? For example, I see that people commonly use shields for LCD displays, but they are so simple to hook up directly to arduino that I don’t know why you need one or what it would accomplish.

I did just order a motor shield, because I want to drive 4 motors. That looks like a good way to go since it can handle the power needed without the mess of cables that would be required for using ICs and all that. That being said, I don’t think it would be too hard to run those motors without the shield.

So why get a shield, and at what point does it become worth spending the extra money?

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dastels
 
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Re: Why so many shields?

Post by dastels »

Off the top of my head:

- Easier since you just pop it on top of the controller board
- more reliable since there's no wiring to do, and there's mechanical stability
- no soldering required
- easy to move from one UNO format board to another or one Feather to another (again, without any rewiring)
- modular

Dave

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