Thread: ssc 32 vs parallax servo controller

Tweet

Any of you animatronic gurus out there care to share your expertise? Of these two servo controllers, is there a preference? Pros/cons on either or both? I plan on using VSA with a to-be-determined number of servos on a not-yet-conceived prop. Any advise would be much appreciated.

I have never used the Parallax board so can't speak about it. I have used the SSC-32 for several props and find it robust and easy to use. The SSC-32 board connects via a serial port and I know some people have had problems because their computer does not have a serial connector so they bought a USB-serial port converter and the board did not work. I believe Lynx addresses this issue in their user's manual and even specifies at least one converter that is known to work. Also I am not sure if VSA supports the Parallax board yet - that is probably something you should check out for sure before making your decision.

I've used the SSC-32 with serial and a USB-serial adapter without problems. I really enjoy using it. Plus, there are so many of us who use the SSC-32 that support is a breeze.

I can't comment on the Parallax-- haven't tried it.

The only real advantage to using the Parallax Vs the SSC-32 (I've tried both), is that no USB/Serial adapter is needed for the parallax, and it doesn't require a seperate 9VDC power supply to make it run. It's get's it's power directly from the 5VDC USB port. The advantage to the SSC-32 is that allows twice the amount of servo ports , (32) VS the 16 on the parallax.
You can also configure the SSC-32 to TTL level outputs allowing you to hook it up to a relay board.

thanks! good info.

Well, I ended up going with Parallax's USB controller (the device is now called Propeller because, I think, of a chip change)--mostly because the USB connection and the ability to draw the controller's power from the USB seemed like it would make things a little simpler.

Spent the past couple of hours playing with it, a couple of servos, and VSA's software trial version (the full version is next on my wish list) and it all worked great.

This will be fun.