Hi All, I’m kind of new to Lynxmotion robot kits, and I have been studying the website I have something that needs to be clarified. Can a Bot Board 2 do everything that an SSC-32 can do and if so then is there any kind of situation that an SSC-32 would be more effective. Thankyou for any help. 
Hi Robo and welcome.
Without additional information, like what it is you are trying to do, this is difficult to answer.
The SSC-32 is a great board to control up to 32 servos. It has a lot of nice features, like the ability to move multiple servos at the same time, such that they all get to their end points at the same time, regardless of how far each one has to move. But it needs something else to control it. For example if it is an Arm , you may simply want to control the arm from your PC using software that resides on the PC, such as RIOS. Likewise for other robots that you wish to control from your PC.
The Bot Board 2 is a holder for a microcontroller such as a Basic Atom Pro (the one mostly used for projects at Lynxmotion) or a Basic Stamp. For now I will assume a Basic Atom Pro (BAP for short). The BAP has a sub-system called HSERVO (Hardware Servo), that can do a lot of the same things as the SSC-32. This works great for robots with a few servos, such as the BRAT which by default has six servos.
But for example if you are doing a robot with a lot of servos, for example the Hex robots (Phoenix and CHR-3…) which start off with 18 servos, it works best to have both the SSC-32 to control all of the servos and the BB2/BAP to generate the walking Gaits, process sensor input, etc. But again you are not limited to this configuration. You could for example choose to run your HEX through a serial interface back to software running on a PC, or some have done it with other microcontrollers.
I hope that this helps.
Kurt
Thankyou for your response. To be more specific on my question I’ll give you an example of it. Why exactly does the AL5 arms use the SSC-32, but the BRAT uses a Bot Board 2. Does it have to do with the programming? Does it have to do with the way the servos are used? Sorry I wasn’t very clear on my first question. Thanks again for your support.
I am sorry to say that there is no complete answer for this. For example I have an AL5 arm connected to my rover that is uses the Basic Atom Pro (BAP) which is mounted on the Bot Board 2 (BB2)). Likewise if you look at the different configurations of the Brat the Lynxmotion sells you will actually see configurations that have an SSC-32 on it and others that have the Bot Board 2 with a a BAP on it.
Why? It again depends on how you wish to control it. For example to use the Brat with an SSC-32 on it, you typically use some program on the PC, such as SEQ and generate canned sequences. Your connection to the PC can be through a wire or in some cases some have done this with for example bluetooth. But in the end it is still the program on the PC that controls your robot. But the configurations of the Brat the sell that have a BAP on it, allows you to program the BAP with programs that you write your self or ones that you download from the website and use as is or modify slightly. There are versions of the brat you can control by a PS2 game controller, or a TV remote control, or have it use a few sensors and have it walk around on its own, etc. One of the best ways to learn before you make your choice is to look through some of the assembly guides and tutorials that are up on the site. lynxmotion.com/ViewPage.aspx … egoryID=19
The other good news is you can start off in one configuration and then convert to the other, by simply buying the other board.
Good Luck
Kurt
Thanks for all of the help you’ve given me. You’ve pretty well answered all of my questions. I’m going to be getting a BRAT for my next robot project, but I haven’t been able to decide what kind to get. With all of the info you’ve given though I should be able to make the decision easier. 
The bot board 2 (BB2) fitted with a Atom Pro processor is a mini computer that can be programmed using the Mbasic language. Its primary function is to execute code. Depending on your code, you can program the BB2 to do things based on input signals and control things by outputting signals.
The SSC-32 is a device that does not run code, instead it responds to input from an external devices such as the BB2 as mentioned using simple wires, or your computer via a data cable for communication.
When you use the BB2 in tandem with the SSC-32, You have a mini computer running your code sending commands to the SSC-32 to run the servos. I recommend using both to keep things simple. You could use HSERVO, but if you’re like me, this can be difficult if you’re not a avid programmer. I use the Sequencer software which allows me to position my bot using sliders and take snapshots of each pose like frames of a movie to make my bot walk. When you create a few sequences this way, then you can export the sequences as Mbasic code that you can modify to make your bot move different ways depending on the input the BB2 receives. The brat is an excellent starter bot and a great learning tool.
Thanks Mike, that helps me out too. I think I’m going to buy an autonomous BRAT. Though if I wanted to convert it to a PS2 controled BRAT what parts would I need.
You can look at the PS2 version of the kit (more info) to see what is included. Just subtract the items you already have. Another way is to check out the tutorials. Then you will know exactly what is required to do the project.
Thanks guys, I don’t have any doubt about my next robot project now.