Recs.
Updated
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Able to compile/run latest OpenCV
Even though the CHIP has very modest specs it is capable of running OpenCV for some projects. Here I'm using it for face detection with the CHIP+HDMI DIP https://bbs.nextthing.co/t/opencv-3-2-using-hdmi-dip-for-face-detection-gui/13432. The CHIP is probably one of the lowest cost CV platforms.
Cons
Con Power issues
If you power the CHIP through the OTG port with the standard power setting it will shut off any time you put a decent load on the CPU. You have to use the 4.4 No limit GUI or i2cset -y -f 0 0x34 0x30 0x63 for headless Debian. I'm going to use the CHG-IN pins and build my own power supply to avoid this. Plus this will free up the OTG port since the CHIP only has 2 USB ports total.
Con Video output options lame
The default composite video is lame for most GUI based applications. The HDMI DIP (about $12 US more) doesn't work well over 640x480 resolution for anything serious. This is OK with me since most of my projects are headless, but if you plan on using it for a cheap video streamer, good luck.
Con Shipping costs $12 for US
At $9 a piece, $12 for shipping costs more than the CHIP itself. I ended up ordering 5 CHIPs at a time to spread out the shipping costs. Thus each CHIP costs around $11.40 US shipped. If I knew I'd like them so much I would have ordered 12 the first time for a $10 CHIP shipped :) Shipping takes about 3 to 4 weeks from Hong Kong to US.