I’ like to buy an Arduino Kit for someone who has an interest in tech/computers (he’s put together his own, and believe he can do basic coding).
I’m a Luddite of the first degree, and know nothing about these kits, even after reading several articles about them.
Can you recommend a middle range kit, not the cheapest nor the most expensive (especially if he hates the present). Would I have to get other things besides the kit, such as…OK, I don’t even know enough to even ask this question. Don’t laugh, perhaps a soldering gun? Please stop laughing.
He’s 22, majoring in Cybersecurity, knows a few computer languages, likes to tinker with his car, has access to a workbench, and has put together a few computers. Never worked on breadboards.
I found out about Arduino kits after seeing Mark Rober on YouTube.
He’s offering a Creative Engineering course (way too expensive to give as a gift), but recommends getting a kit before the class.
I thought the kit sounds really interesting, but there are so many to choose from!
I see lots of Starter Kits on Amazon from $39 and up. Get one with a breadboard, UNO R3, lots of jumper wires, LEDs and switches, etc. He can learn a lot about programming just by watching for pushbuttons and lighting LEDs.
Lots of students in our cybersecurity program also like setting up their own Raspberry Pi which gives them Linux exposure. Either would be educational.
Sounds like he doesn’t need to use the Arduino to learn to program or much more about technology, but he could have a lot of fun with it. Some of the kits are padded with a lot of low value extras, so don’t just go by the parts count. I’ll have to look around at what’s available but I think a good starter kit should come with a motor and some relays and opto-isolators and other useful items to do more than make LEDs blink. Cripes, we were making LEDs blink back in the stone age when an Arduino was unimaginable, he’ll want to do more than that.
Let’s see if we can attract some people from this thread on Raspberry Pis and Arduinos by mentioning them here, like @Half_Man_Half_Wit, @beowulff, @minor7flat5, and the others. They surely have more experience with these than I do.
I have lots of experience with Arduino kits and programming the things. The stuff is incredibly cheap, and you don’t need to spend a lot. Something like this:
Is all he needx to get started, and it’s under $40. It has a servomotor, displays, sensors, etc. Everything you need to learn the basics of various Arduino capabilities.
The more expensive sets are either geared towards robotics, or have many more sensors to play with, but none of it is necessary unless he specifically needs it for a project. But those pieces are available separately for very cheap - often just a couple of bucks. So can buy what he needs for a specific project if it isn’t in the kit.
And just to show my ignorance, he is getting a Raspberry Pi for the holidays. It’s LABISTS Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Starter Kit with 32GB Micro SD Card (4GB RAM).
I didn’t know Raspberry Pi (he asked for it) had anything to do with Arduino.
So, with this Raspberry Pi, would the kit Sam_Stone recommended be something he could use?
And again, thanks to everyone for all the help, and specific things to buy.
I know less than nothing about computer building but I know from giving requested presents to my whiz bang geek/nerd son that the following might be useful also:
Anti-static pad as a work surface
A tool set of teeny-tiny screwdrivers, tweezers, forceps, including dental picks and a dental mirror
A dish with a magnetic bottom for holding teeny-tiny screws
A plastic storage case that fastens securely for sorting teeny-tiny parts, with multiple compartment, like a fishing fly case.
All of you who do know what you’re talking about, please curate my offering. I’m just a mom chiming in. The gift idea seems clever and well thought out, the recipient will enjoy it.
A Raspberry Pi is a stripped down computer. It is possible to run programs on the computer that work with the Arduino, so they can be used together. The Pi can be used as a regular computer, though, so it can be used for many other things.
The kit Sam_Stone pictured would be fine. I’ve played around with Arduinos in accordance with certain weird little interests of mine, but I just bought a few cheap Uno, Mini, and Nano copies and accessories needed for projects.
I do not believe it does. Raspberry Pi was developed in the UK by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, and Arduino was developed in Italy by a design school. They are both microcomputers in a gross sense, but differ in their components, design, and intended users.
Arduino boards and kits are microcontroller boards designed to be easy for non-electrical engineers, think artists, students, etc. to learn how to program and use with electronic devices like sensors, lights, motors, relays, etc.
Raspberry Pi boards are more like fully-fledged computer systems that can run Windows, Linux, etc.
What the Arduino and Raspberry Pi boards do have in common, from what I have seen, are input/output ports that you can connect stuff to via simple jumpers or ribbon cables. So any beginner’s electronics kit full of protoboards, sensors, displays, whatever will work with either, sure.
I can happily recommend SparkFun Electronics. They have loads of tutorials, an active support forum, a bunch of interesting sensors, shields/breakouts & other components, and have been a good vendor every time I’ve ordered.
My Arduino experience was several years ago so I’m not sure if this information is still valid. That said, I found several of the Arduinos I bought on Amazon were counterfeit. There were numerous small design differences. Two obvious signs are when the circuit board traces and particularly the vias do not match the product photographs, and the trademark little map of Italy is just rounded over the top in the Tuscany area, whereas genuine Arduinos have more details there. For whatever reason, this really got under my skin. I tried to post a product review on Amazon about the problem and they rejected the review.
What is a counterfeit Arduino? Isn’t it an open-source hardware platform? IME there are cheaper-shittier versions and more robust versions for sale and you should know which is which before purchasing. But how can it be “counterfeit” unless it pretends to be from a particular manufacturer but isn’t? I’m sure that happens; I hope in that case you can get a refund.
I’d like to recommend Adafruit.com. Their tutorials are vast and plentiful, and their own product lines go beyond a basic Arduino and into motors and LEDs and everything electronic. Cosplay. Robotics. Even the stuff @BippityBoppityBoo recommends. They even have a forum for questions. They are based in Brooklyn NY and have their own manufacturing plant there.
I’ve used Sparkfun in the past, still look in at them, but Adafruit is the east coast and much closer to ship from.
Arduino is an open source product, so you can buy genuine Arduinos, but there are cheaper knock offs available that essentially work the same way. Not illegal, not counterfeit.
That said, the really cheap ones available on eBay could be factory seconds–they may be fine, or they may be bad. For a $1.90 I’ll just replace one.
Sorry, thought of one more question - can anyone recommend a reasonably priced low profile desk lamp, that can be used when focusing on electronics and builds?
Asking a lot, but would be easier if it was rechargeable, or ran on batteries (not a lot of outlets available).
