Is it better to start with Pi Zero or Pi 2

[fedefrank]

Hi everyone, I hope this is the right section. I'd like to buy my first Raspberry soon, and I don't know whether to buy the new Pi Zero or the Pi 2. In my country Pi Zero is sold for about 16 euros with shipping, 25 with the starter kit (OTG and miniHDMI to HDMI adapter). The Pi 2 costs only 15€ more, but it's far more powerful. So, what should I do, considering that it is my first Raspberry?
Thanks
Fedefrank

[texy]

It depends on what you want to do with it, but I would go for the Pi 2 B as it has all the features. The Zero does not support the foundations camera or display, for example.
Not only that, but does your supplier actually have the Zero in stock (even with the extra's of a kit)?

Texy

[RaTTuS]

get a Pi2
a Pi0 is more challenging to setup and do stuff on. - if you can find stock

or get a Pi B+ which is close to the Pi0 though comes with network

[SonOfAMotherlessGoat]

What would you like to do with it? I would suggest the Pi 2B, as you can probably get that right now and anything that you do on it should be portable and be able to run on the Zero when you can get your hands on one.

[dobra-dobra]

It's a bit of oversimplification, but:
- if you plan to connect your Pi to TV and use it as a regular computer pick a RPi 2 B;
- if you plan to build a robot or similar device pick a RPi Zero.

Overall if you just want to check what Pi is all about you can't go wrong with RPi 2 B, while Zero will have some issues to overcome.

[liz]

We'd definitely recommend beginners start with the Pi 2. It's faster, more full-featured and much more flexible. Zero's something you'll be using in more specialised projects.

[fedefrank]

Thank you so much! The Pi0 will be available in the Italian reseller by the end of January, this is not a problem. I love Pi0 for his portability (due to his dimensions) and the extremely low power consumption (I would be able to use it with my phone power bank). I'm also very interested in robotics, even though I do not know what to do yet and I've never done it.
On the other hand, I don't actually know how I will use my RPi, maybe all the options you have written.
I'm also quite interested in Jasper, I think it would work better on Pi2.
You mentioned robotics project with Pi0, what kind of robots is it possible to build with the Pi0? I've also thought about a drone and so on. It would be necessary an expanding board, would it?
Thank you
Fedefrank

[BMS Doug]

Thank you so much! The Pi0 will be available in the Italian reseller by the end of January, this is not a problem.

Only if they can get stock from the official retailers (I'm not saying that they won't be able to, but it's not guaranteed).

I love Pi0 for his portability (due to his dimensions) and the extremely low power consumption (I would be able to use it with my phone power bank). I'm also very interested in robotics, even though I do not know what to do yet and I've never done it.

You aren't alone, there's a lot of fans of the Pi0 here.

On the other hand, I don't actually know how I will use my RPi, maybe all the options you have written.
I'm also quite interested in Jasper, I think it would work better on Pi2.

Yes Jasper would benefit from the quad core.

You mentioned robotics project with Pi0, what kind of robots is it possible to build with the Pi0? I've also thought about a drone and so on. It would be necessary an expanding board, would it?
Thank you
Fedefrank

Not necessarily if you use continuous rotation servos you could get by without any expansion board. Otherwise you would need some kind of motor driver as a minimum.

[fedefrank]

Not necessarily if you use continuous rotation servos you could get by without any expansion board. Otherwise you would need some kind of motor driver as a minimum.

Yes, but in this way the rotation would be very slow, wouldn't it? I think that for a drone or some sort of motorized robot they wouldn't be fast enough..

[BMS Doug]

Not necessarily if you use continuous rotation servos you could get by without any expansion board. Otherwise you would need some kind of motor driver as a minimum.

Yes, but in this way the rotation would be very slow, wouldn't it? I think that for a drone or some sort of motorized robot they wouldn't be fast enough..

It depends how fast you want the robot to go.

This codebuggy (not pi based) is using (very small) continuous rotation servos.

I could probably use a Pi0 instead of the codebug to control it (I would need to make a different interface board).

[mahjongg]

I agree with Liz, a PI zero is NOT a beginners PI.

[mikronauts]

Continuous rotation servos are great for a small wheeled robot

For a flying drone, you need brushless DC motors with ESC's to drive them.

Not necessarily if you use continuous rotation servos you could get by without any expansion board. Otherwise you would need some kind of motor driver as a minimum.

Yes, but in this way the rotation would be very slow, wouldn't it? I think that for a drone or some sort of motorized robot they wouldn't be fast enough..

[BMS Doug]

I agree with Liz, a PI zero is NOT a beginners PI.

As do I, the pi2 is much more suitable for developing projects on.

[W. H. Heydt]

I agree with Liz, a PI zero is NOT a beginners PI.

Ah... Nice to see that both you and Liz agree with what I've been saying for some time now.

[jamesh]

I agree with Liz, a PI zero is NOT a beginners PI.

Ah... Nice to see that both you and Liz agree with what I've been saying for some time now.

I said it first!