Okay, so I'm a complete and total newbie when it comes to this. I've taken 1 C++ class 6 years ago... so I am starting from scratch really.

Objective: LED array for Pico/BC29 with sunrise/sunset, full moon-light cycle, temperature monitoring, and possible addition of other nodes for monitoring purposes only. LED display with info, time/date.

Shopping List:

Arduino- Which one? Full blown kit, or budget kit?
$65 "Beginner's Kit" from Adafruit
http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_pag...;products_id=68

$50 "Budget" kit from Adafruit
http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_pag...products_id=193

$18 LCD Output 16x4
http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_pag...products_id=198

Temp Probe x2 (sealed in-water, air temp):
http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_pag...products_id=165

What I need:
I'm having trouble finding the time chip- I've found one on Sparksfun Electronics but that seems like over-kill... And a bit expensive. What should I use instead?

That's my shopping list so far... once I get the coding done, I'm going to build a Pico LED array (6ish Cree LEDs?) to test it out... once that works I'm going to tackle my BC29, same concept.

I got the beginner kit for the basically the same project and I am very happy with it. I have an old crystal fontz 20x4 that I am using. I also just ordered http://www.web4robot.com/LCDCtrl.html to add the buttons and to get the wires that connect to the arduino down to two.

Thanks for the info, I went ahead and bought the starter kit, LCD and 2 temp probes... I guess I'll order the RTC off of Sparks Fun Electronics- Unless anybody else knows of a cheaper RTC?

www.reefangel.com
I had everything you needed on your project
All you had to do was program it
Maybe next time

RI

Now you tell me... I've already ordered $150 worth of parts. But I'm all about building it from the ground up, it's no fun when someone hands you the stuff and says "press start!" Though sometimes it is cheaper when they do...