Great tutorial.

I'm currently making a new type of MIDI controller, based on an Arduino Uno; I have been iterating on prototypes with different sensors. It's not very difficult (or time consuming) to solder the prototypes so they're a little more durable than breadboard.

Eventually I would like to make an integrated product that could be manufactured in small batches; but what is the benefit of doing an intermediate PCB using breakout boards? It seems all the real problems will come later when moving from breakout boards to single components?