[minthd]

The cost comes from adding another company to the process - the module maker.

But sure, at this stage it might not be worth it , maybe later.

[joezydeco]

Hardly a concern anymore. These are just line items on a bill of materials now:

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/450-0103C/450-0103C...

[minthd]

$7.8 is pretty expensive when you can get a bluetooth mcu(in volume, from dialog i think) for $1.

[joezydeco]

Like we said earlier, you can choose between a raw chip (like the Dialog) and handle the antenna design and all the various governmental certifications and testing yourself ($$$)..or you can buy a precertified module that drops in and you're ready to go.

It depends what you can afford and what each path will save you in the long run.