ESP8266 - First thing's first.

First thing's first.

A big auction site seems to be full to the brim with ESP8266 modules and there are several models that can be bought too. To get started on using an ESP8266 the route I'd gone down was to buy a model ESP-01.

Other parts that are recommended to get started with an ESP8266 are as follows. Links provided against several of the parts are direct links on dx.com but you can of course buy these from your preferred source by all means:

1). An ESP8266 ESP-01
- Please note that according to dx.com (24th Mar '15) the working voltage is 5v. It's 3.3v. Using 5v will destroy the device. A 'report error' submission has been sent to them. Hopefully they will amend the product information correcting this error otherwise they will more than likely find a lot of customers complaining about damaged devices.

2). A USB to TTL Converter
- Important; Make sure the one you buy has a 3.3v line as 5v will render your ESP8266 inoperable (these devices are not by any means 'voltage tolerant').

3). An MB-102 Breadboard
- An electronics prototyping block that allows for prototypes to be made up quickly without the need for a soldering iron.

4). An MB-102 3.3v / 5v Breadboard Power Supply (PSU) Module

5). Some Breadboard Jumper Cables
- Suggested buy's are a pack of male to male and female to male cables.

6). Two 470 ohm resistors

7). Two LEDs - 3mm or 5mm - Depending on your preference. What colour LED you use is up to you too. Initially I used some 5mm green or red LEDs (cannot remember which) but am using Rainbow Colour Changing LEDs in the example(s) posted on this blog.

8).  A USB Extension Cable - I've recommended buying one of these because you will otherwise need to situate your ESP8266, USB to TTL Converter in very close proximity to your PCs nearest available USB Port. With a USB Extension Cable you can put these somewhere more manageable so to speak.

Upon receiving your ESP8266 you will more than likely need to flash the firmware to a more recent version.

You can by all accounts use an Arduino to communicate with and flash the firmware on an ESP8266 but I've not got any experience with using an Arduino therefore personally opted to use an FTDI USB to TTL Converter. I'd also discovered that using a USB to UART Bridge with a Prolific chipset such as a CP2102 is permissible but again it's very important to note that this must have a 3.3v line as using 5v will render your ESP8266 inoperable.