Choosing A BASIC Stamp

I would like to provide some specific information on using computers to automate and animate a haunt. But there are many different kinds of controllers, so that it can be difficult to choose one.

I have decided to give some examples based on the BASIC Stamp line of controllers from Parallax.

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What Is It?

The BASIC Stamp is actually member of a large family of controllers from Parallax.

A Stamp contains:

Programs are edited and compiled on a personal computer, then downloaded into the Stamp for storage and execution. Most stamps are programmed in a version of the BASIC computer language.

Parallax, Good And Bad

The good thing about the BASIC Stamp family of controllers from Parallax is that there are so many to choose from.

The bad thing about Parallax BASIC Stamps is that there are so many to choose from. Really! The number of choices is literally bewildering!

Let's browse the assortment as of May 2005....

There are many different versions of the Stamp itself:

The industrial versions are not a big deal, because they are concerned with operating environment factors. Basically, it's a "suffix". But the numerous other versions make for a complex feature selection matrix!

There are many different form factors:

Most Stamps are developed and/or used while mounted on carrier boards. There are many carrier boards, too:

Some haunters claim that BASIC Stamps are too expensive, because you can program a bare PIC or Atmel CPU for a fraction of the price. This isn't really a fair comparison, because working with a bare MCU is arguably more difficult.

There are two main programming interfaces, BS1-style and BS2-style. But PC interfaces come in three types (parallel, serial, and USB). So there are numerous permutations:

There are three different versions of the PBASIC programming language, which support different commands, depending on the particular BASIC Stamp being used:
number of supported commands
version BS1 BS2 BS2e BS2sx BS2p BS2pe
PBASIC 1.0 32 - - - - -
PBASIC 2.0 - 37 40 40 56 56
PBASIC 2.5 - 42 45 45 61 61

Unless you are very careful, a program written for a BS1 can not be run on a BS2. Why might you want to convert to BS2? Perhaps you need a couple more I/O pins in order to extend a good BS1 system just a little further. Perhaps you need a little more memory to hold your program. Perhaps you need a controller that runs just a tiny bit faster.

Finally, even if a command is available on all platforms, it might not behave the same way everywhere. For example, the "PULSOUT" command is supported on all platforms, but expressions are not allowed as arguments on the BS1. (There is another BS1 limitation: the range of the Pin argument on the BS1 is 0 – 7. This limitation is perfectly reasonable, since the BS1 has fewer pins.) And when this command is issued on different platforms, it emits a different pulse length:
BS1 BS2 BS2e BS2sx BS2p BS2pe
Units in Period 10.0 µs 2.0 µs 2.0 µs 0.8 µs 0.8 µs 2.0 µs
Maximum Pulse Width 655.35 ms 131.07 ms 131.07 ms 52.428 ms 52.428 ms 131.07 ms

Confused yet? Join the club!

Many To Choose From

Stamp modules [May 2005]:
Name Description MSRP Link
BASIC Stamp 2px BS2 in a 24-pin DIP, 4k instructions, 19k inst/sec $79 -
BASIC Stamp 2 module (BS2-IC) BS2 in a 24-pin DIP, 500 instructions, 4k inst/sec $49 -
BASIC Stamp 2p module (BS2P24) BS2 in a 24-pin DIP, 4k instructions, 12k inst/sec $79 -
BASIC Stamp 2p40 module (BS2P40) BS2 in a 40-pin DIP, 4k instructions, 12k inst/sec $89 -
BASIC Stamp 2pe module (BS2PE) BS2 in a 24-pin DIP, 4k instructions, 6k inst/sec $75 -
BASIC Stamp 2sx module BS2 in a 24-pin DIP, 4k instructions, 10k inst/sec $59 -
BASIC Stamp 2e module (BS2E-IC) BS2 in a 24-pin DIP, 4k instructions, 4k inst/sec $54 -
BASIC Stamp 1 module (BS1-IC) BS1 in a 14-pin SIP, 80 instructions, 2k inst/sec $29 -
BASIC Stamp Rev. Dx (27100) BS1 surface-mounted on a PCB, 80 instructions, 2k inst/sec $34 -
OEM versions
The BASIC Stamp 1 OEM BS1 DIP on a PCB w/20-pin SIP $34 -
BASIC Stamp 2 OEM BS2 DIP on a 2"x 2" (5.1 x 5.1 cm) 20-pin SIP PCB, 500 instructions, 4k inst/sec $59 -
BASIC Stamp 2 OEM Kit BS2 DIP on a 2"x 2" (5.1 x 5.1 cm) PCB w/20-pin SIP, 500 instructions, 4k inst/sec $45, sale $30 -
BS2sx OEM Module PS2 DIP on a 2" x 2" (5.1 x 5.1 cm) PCB w/20-pin SIP $59 -
other
Javelin Stamp module Java-based 24-pin DIP, 8000 inst/sec $89 -

Carrier boards physically hold a stamp and provide better connectors than the bare chip pins. Most also include some form of power supply, reset switch, and programming connector. Development boards provide even more, like servo output connectors, regulated power supplies, and indicator LEDs. Here is a list of carrier and development boards [May 2005]:
Name Description MSRP Link
Board of Education USB programming board BS2 development/education platform, USB $65 -
Board of Education carrier board - Serial BS2 development/education platform, serial $65 -
NX-1000 Board currently unavailable for purchase -
NX-1000 24/40 Board discontinued -
BS2p24/40 Demo Board holds 24 and 40 pin DIP versions of BS2 $89 -
Professional Development Board coming soon
BASIC Stamp Super Carrier Board holds various stamps: BS1, BS2 - SIP and 24-pin DIP forms $49 -
BASIC Stamp 1 Carrier Board carrier for a BS1 SIP $15 -
BASIC Stamp 2 Carrier Board carrier for BS2 24-pin DIPs $24 -
Stamp Controller Interface Board holds various stamps: BS1, BS2 - SIP and 24-pin DIP forms $69 -
Javelin Stamp Demo Board only available in the Javelin Stamp Starter Kit

Development boards with built-in stamps [May 2005]:
Name Description MSRP Link
BASIC Stamp HomeWork Board equal to BS2 module on a Board of Education carrier board $400/10 -
BS1 Project Board BS1 surface-mounted on 3 1/4" x 2 1/2" (8.3 x 6.4 cm) PCB, 80 instructions, 2k inst/sec $29 -
PROP-1 BS1 surface-mounted on a board with high-current driver $35 -

Parallax offers numerous documents to help you choose:

I Pick Two

In order to provide some meaningful information on BASIC Stamps, I have decided to concentrate on just two versions, one a form of BS1, the other a form of BS2.

Designs based on the BS1 have the virtue of being inexpensive. Designs based on the BS2 are more powerful.

If you don't have exactly these versions, you will have to take all that follows with a grain of salt.

Prop-1 controller

The Prop-1 controller was designed by Parallax EFX, a department of Parallax dedicated to haunters. There are cheaper forms of the BASIC Stamp 1, but since this one is designed with haunters in mind, it is a form that is likely to be found in the field.

For more information, please see our page on the PROP-1.

Prop-2 Controller

The PROP-2 is a specialized controller designed for the haunt community, based on BS2 technology.

The Prop-2 Controller was designed by EFX-TEK.

There are cheaper forms of the BASIC Stamp 2, but since this one is designed with haunters in mind, it is a form that is likely to be found in the field.

For more information, please see our page on the PROP-2.

Honorable mention: BASIC Stamp 2 OEM

The BASIC Stamp 2 OEM isn't really intended for end-users. It is equipment manufacturers who wish to embed BASIC Stamp 2 controllers into their products. The OEM line of products makes it easy to prototype with Stamp technology, gain experience with it, with the goal of embedding it in some product. The BASIC Stamp 2 OEM Kit is currently the cheapest way to get your hands on any form of BASIC Stamp 2.

BASIC Stamp 2 OEM

Ordering information (if you want to save a few dollars putting it together yourself):
Name BASIC Stamp 2 OEM Module (Kit Form)
Link http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=27291
Stock# 27291
Category BASIC Stamps-OEM
Price $45.00
Sale Price $30.00 [July 2005]

Ordering information (if you are willing to spend more to get a product that is ready to use):

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