Adafruit PyBadge LC - MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython or Arduino - Low Cost Version
Quantity Discounts:
- 6-12 $53.67 (exc GST)
- 12+ $52.00 (exc GST)
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What's the size of a credit card and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino even when you're on a budget? That's right, it's the Adafruit PyBadge LC! We wanted to see how much Adafruit could cram into a 3 ⅜ × 2 ⅛ inch rounded rectangle, to make an all-in-one dev board with a lot of possibilities, and this is what Adafruit came up with.
The PyBadge is a compact board, like Adafruit said, it's credit card sized. It's powered by Adafruit's favorite chip, the ATSAMD51, with 512KB of flash and 192KB of RAM. Adafruit add 2 MB of QSPI flash for file storage, handy for images, fonts, sounds, or game assets.
This is the Low Cost version of Adafruit's more fully featured Adafruit PyBadge. Adafruit pared down the hardware to make it even more affordable, and you can still use it with MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython or Arduino! The LC version has the same processor chip, QSPI Flash, on/off switch, buttons, buzzer, light sensor and battery circuit. It does not have Feather headers, JST STEMMA connectors, LIS3DH accelerometer, or optional speaker connection. Instead of 5 NeoPixels there is only one in the center front.
On the front you get a 1.8" 160x128 color TFT display with dimmable backlight - Adafruit have fast DMA support for drawing so updates are incredibly fast. There's also 8 silicone-top buttons, they are clicky but have a soft button top so they're nice and grippy. The buttons are arranged to mimic a gaming handheld, with a d-pad, 2 menu-select buttons and 2 fire-action buttons. There's also a NeoPixel LED in the front to dazzle or track activity.
For built in sensoring, there's a light sensor that points out the front. To make bleeps and bloops, there's a built in buzzer-speaker.
You can power the PyBadge from any of Adafruit's LiPoly batteries, but Adafruit like this 400mAh one. An on-off switch will save battery power when not in use. Or power from the Micro USB port - it will also charge up the battery if one is attached.
Now, how to program it? Well you've got a lot of options!
- MakeCode Arcade is the easiest to start for making games, you can drag-and-drop blocks and load games over the disk-drive bootloader
- CircuitPython lets you draw graphics, play wave files and print out text in any fonts - all in Python! There's tons of sensor support as well.
- Arduino is low level, powerful, but a little more challenging. You can use Adafruit Arcada to interface with the hardware and it will abstract some of the nitty-gritty details like reading buttons for you.
Here's a list of everything you get
- ATSAMD51J19 @ 120MHz with 3.3V logic/power - 512KB of FLASH + 192KB of RAM
- 2 MB of SPI Flash for storing images, sounds, animations, whatever!
- 1.8" 160x128 Color TFT Display connected to its own SPI port
- 8 x Game/Control Buttons with nice silicone button tops (these feel great)
- 1 x NeoPixel for badge dazzle
- Light sensor, reverse-mount so that it points out the front
- Built in buzzer mini-speaker
- LiPoly battery port with built in recharging capability
- USB port for battery charging, programming and debugging
- Reset button
- On-Off switch
Technical Details
Product Dimensions: 85.7mm x 54.6mm x 10.0mm / 3.4" x 2.1" x 0.4"
Product Weight: 25.7g / 0.9oz
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Products that weigh more than 0.5 KG may cost more than what's shown (for example, test equipment, machines, >500mL liquids, etc).
We deliver Australia-wide with these options (depends on the final destination - you can get a quote on the view cart page):
- $3+ for Stamped Mail (typically 10+ business days, not tracked, only available on selected small items)
- $7+ for Standard Post (typically 6+ business days, tracked)
- $11+ for Express Post (typically 2+ business days, tracked)
- Pickup - Free! Only available to customers who live in the Newcastle region (must order online and only pickup after we email to notify you the order is ready). Orders placed after 2PM may not be ready until the following business day.
Non-metro addresses in WA, NT, SA & TAS can take 2+ days in addition to the above information.
Some batteries (such as LiPo) can't be shipped by Air. During checkout, Express Post and International Methods will not be an option if you have that type of battery in your shopping cart.
International Orders - the following rates are for New Zealand and will vary for other countries:
- $12+ for Pack and Track (3+ days, tracked)
- $16+ for Express International (2-5 days, tracked)
If you order lots of gear, the postage amount will increase based on the weight of your order.
Our physical address (here's a PDF which includes other key business details):
Unit 18, 132 Garden Grove Parade
Adamstown
NSW, 2289
Australia
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