[Guide] Microcontroller Boards

[Fleder]

Well, hello there,

here i wanted to list the known microcontroller boards that are available and usable for several projects.
All of these can be used as a USB HID.

Teensy LC
the original one

Cost: ~12€
I/O: 27
Size: ~36x18mm
Buy: 1 2

Arduino Leonardo / Arduino Pro Micro clone (ATmega32u4)
the cheap alternative

Cost: ~3€
I/O: 18 (16)
Size: ~33x18mm
Buy: 1 2

Arduino Micro R3 clone (ATmega32u4)
like the one above but with more I/O

Cost: ~7€
I/O: 20
Size: ~48x18mm
Buy: 1 2

tinyAVR ATTiny167/Digispark Pro
the smaller alternative - No USB Pads on the back side (thanks [mention]Camble[/mention])!

Cost: ~3€
I/O: 14
Size: ~28x18mm
Buy: 1 2 3

tinyAVR ATTiny85
the microcontroller for ants - 2 Versions available (female/male) - aka Digispark Digistump

Cost: ~1,50€
I/O: 6 (2 occupied by USB Data)
Size: ~23x18mm / ~26x19mm
Buy: 1 2 3 4 5 6

DFRobot Beetle
based on the Leonardo - originally from dfrobot

Cost: ~7,00€
I/O: 10
Size: ~22x20mm
Buy: 1 2 3 4

BS Micro/CJMCU/Adafruit Beetle
like a ATTiny85 with more I/O

Cost: ~5,00€
I/O: 10
Size: ~28x20mm
Buy: 1 2 3

IOIO-OTG
more GPIO? - Chip: PIC24FJ256GB210 - official website

Cost: ~17,00-40,00€
I/O: 46
Size: ~69x31mm
Buy: 1 2 3 4

LilyTiny
a small microcontroller with a round shape - originally from the Arduino Series (ATTiny85)

Cost: ~2,50€
I/O: 9
Size: ~25mm
Buy: 1 2

LilyPad
a small microcontroller with a round shape - originally from the Arduino Series (ATMega32u4)

Cost: ~6,00€
I/O: 11
Size: ~50mm
Buy: 1 2

The prices are either from the official shops or gearbest, banggood, dx or aliexpress.

.
BE AWARE: Those cheap ATmega328 Boards will not work as a Keyboard/Gamepad!
So stick with Boards that use MKL26Z64VFT4, ATmega32u4, ATTiny167, ATTiny85 and PIC24FJ256GB210.
.

[Tamasco]

What is the main difference between Teensy LC and Arduino Leonardo? Apart from the price. They both work for the same purpose, right? The others are also the same?

[Fleder]

What is the main difference between Teensy LC and Arduino Leonardo? Apart from the price. They both work for the same purpose, right? The others are also the same?

Yes, they do.
I used a 32u4 Clone with another Button Board and so far it works great.
But you need to alter the sketches for the non-Teensy Boards.

I am still waiting on the three different Tiny boards, so i could not test them myself yet.
But reading those datasheets, they should work great as a USB HID.

Just be aware of the useable pin differences.
For the GBZ that wermy built you need 12.

[Fleder]

Whew! There are certainly a lot of microcrontrollers around that can be used as a USB HID.

[chiz]

@Fleder
Do you a specific recommend board among the boards you listed that's closest to the teensy LC in terms of compatibility and no. of pins avaliable for the buttons?

[gargoyle67]

Being clones do they programe the same as the Teensy ? I may try the "tinyAVR ATTiny167" out.

[Fleder]

@Fleder
Do you a specific recommend board among the boards you listed that's closest to the teensy LC in terms of compatibility and no. of pins avaliable for the buttons?

The Leonardo or Pro Micro as they are named are pretty much the same. Every 32u4 with enough I/Os as such.
For the GBZ you only need 12 I/Os for instance. I am using one with the button PCB and it works great. I just had to alter the sketch.

This is the one i am using:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shi ... .96.zkIviv

Being clones do they programe the same as the Teensy ? I may try the "tinyAVR ATTiny167" out.

I was not able to use the sketch that wermy provided for the Teensy. And i am still waiting on the ATTiny Modules to arrive, so i can't tell you much about those and the programming. But the 32u4 really work great.

Here is the Sketch i wrote for the second one in the list: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B17ug ... HJOVkQ3Nk0
It has 4 Shoulder buttons predefined if you want to use them for a PSX controller or something like that. If not, just ignore them or delete those parts in the sketch, if you need the I/Os for something else.

[Camble]

A word for anyone considering the tinyAVR ATTiny167/Digispark Pro...

This board lacks the USB pads on the reverse that the Teensy LC has. Just something to be aware of.

[ChunkeeMunkee]

This board lacks the USB pads on the reverse that the Teensy LC has

Ah, nuts... Hadn't really thought about the impact of this until I clapped eyes on the board!

@Fleder - any joy with the ATTiny167? Just looking myself at how to get one up and running?

[Camble]

@ChunkeeMunkee I don't see it as a problem, it will just be a little bit more fiddly to attach wires to. I'll be removing the micro USB port from mine and soldering directly to the board.