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SparkFun Inventor’s Kit version 4

REVIEW

he SparkFun Inventor’s Kit (SIK) is

an electronics set that comes with

a guide-book and a storage box for

keeping everything tidy. The kit is set

up around the SparkFun RedBoard which

is pretty similar to an Arduino Uno R3. As

far as most beginners are concerned, it might as well

be an Arduino Uno – you program it in the same way

and the pinouts are the same. There is a version that

comes with an Arduino Uno R3 for an additional $10.

T

SparkFun Inventor’s Kit

version 4

$99.95 sparkfun.com

By Ben Everard ben_everard

Alongside the RedBoard, there’s enough bits and

pieces to complete a range of projects. It’s clear that

quite a bit of thought has gone into the balance of

this kit. There are bits to display information (LEDs,

LCD display), bits to get data (ultrasonic sensor,

potentiometer, and temperature sensor), bits to make

things move (motors and a servo), and associated bits

(resistors and motor drivers).

Along with the electronics bits, there’s a breadboard

which allows you to assemble circuits without having

to solder them together and, once you’re finished,

everything comes apart and you can reuse the bits in

your next circuit. Together, there’s almost everything

you need to make the projects in the guide (you’ll

also need scissors, pliers, four AA batteries,

and a paper clip).

It’s the guide-book that really sets the

SparkFun Inventor’s Kit above the many

other electronic component kits that

we’ve seen. It includes a basic setup

guide and then five projects, each of

which includes three or four circuits as

well as suggestions for different ways you

could modify the build to take it in different

directions. The guide is available online at

hsmag.cc/NyzLmA.

The projects start with the classic

blinking LED and build up to a wheeled

robot that navigates the world by itself. If

you complete these and are still looking

for more, there are also some additional

resources at hsmag.cc/uMJoEj.

The guide is well laid out and easy to

follow. It includes explanations of the

different concepts and components that

you’re using, so it’s not just a list of steps that

you complete in turn. There’s also trouble-shooting

advice for when things don’t work, and suggestions

for extending each project.

Below

Keeping our

electronic

components tidy is

a constant struggle

for us – the SparkFun

Inventor’s Kit gets you

off to the right start