Arduino Starter Kit?

Hi, Manny

I have just started also and decided to opt for an Arduino Mega 2560 because it has a lot more input and output pins and a greater capacity for sketches than other Arduinos.

While I expect it will be a while before I utilise the full capacity of the Mega, it is better to have and not need than to need and not have.

I have also just managed to set up my Mega as an ISP for programming ATTiny85 chips and can recommend the Mega although if you are on a tight budget, the Uno is probably good enough.

Manny,

I have some 23 Arduino's in various formats, and none of them are a Mega.

In most cases you only use a few inputs and outputs, so the rest are idle.

The basic Arduino has numerous shields that will make it easier to utilise.

I suggest you buy a basic Arduino (E14's prices are very good) with the DIP version chip (rather than smd).

If you progress to a project needing more pins, then buy the mega for that purpose.

For a kit, I suggest you need

• Breadboard, the mini work and can be added onto a proto shield to make it compact.
• leads that can plug in to the header and the breadboard (cat5 cable works at a pinch)
• 2 or 3 pushbuttons (choose ones that can fit the breadboard ..some need the pins rotated 90deg)
• A selection of different colored leds
• 220 Ohm resistors (ALWAYS USE A SERIES RESISTOR ON LEDS !!!!), some 10K, 4K7 and 2K2 resistors for pullups.
• DS18B20 temp sensor
• Photocell
• An I2C LCD display
• A opto coupled dual relay is handy,
• and if you want to make noise, a buzzer or beeper.

That should cover you for the majority of your tinkering.

For robotics and movement, you really need to decide on using continuous servos, motor or steppers and their power requirements, before selecting the driver board to suit.

At that stage a ping sensor, or similar could be added.

Lastly a 9v power supply with a 2.1mm plug to power it independant of your computer.

Mark

Aha. It seems that Arduino Mega 2560 is a very popular model. I will consider about it. Thx for your advice.

That sounds very reasonable. I searched the Internet a little bit and found three main online forums or stores which sell the starter kit.

1. http://www.sainsmart.com/sainsmart-uno-r3-starter-kit-with-16-basic-arduino-projects.html  (an online store)

2. http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoStarterKit (this is the professional arduino forum)

3. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9284 (this one seems to nice, too)

All of them seems to cover my needs and meet your criteria.

Don't forget about adafruit.com.   They are very deserving of our support.

Manny

You don't need to purchase a pre-made kit.

I ran an introduction course for 8-10yr olds, and I purchased the controller from a local supplier, and the other parts from other sources.

The kits were donated to the school, but the pupils ended up buying their own, and the purchasing exercise was repeated.

In some cases one supplier may work out cheaper when freight is introduced, but a lot of the kits I have seen are priced above their component value.

The Sainsmart has most of the bits and seems reasonably priced.

The offical Arduino version is overpriced in my opinion...

and the Sparkfun one is lacking in components to do much real experimenting.

You also don't need to get everything at once, if budget is a consideration.

Anyway enjoy the experience.

Mark

I quite like this kit: https://www.adafruit.com/products/170, which has all the parts for this tutorial: http://www.oomlout.com/a/products/ardx/

A kit is an easy purchase, but as Mark said you can generally get all the parts for less if you source them yourself.

Cheers,

-Nico

Since we've gone widely shy of recommending E14's products (its their forum after all)

I can recommend this

http://yourduino.com/sunshop2/index.php?l=product_detail&p=244

or if you are in the USA and want it in a case for another $6.

http://yourduino.com/sunshop2/index.php?l=product_detail&p=360

Terry is very supportive of the Arduino community and also tests things and provides tutorials.

He was excellent with my school project and discounted the parts.

Apologies E14.

Mark

Good point, Mark. I'll try to redeem myself a little...

Newark/e14 sells the Adafruit kit I pointed out, among many other Adafruit items, here:

http://canada.newark.com/adafruit-industries/prl/results&isNotify=true

Just search for "ardx" for the kit, or "Adafruit" for the list.

Cheers,

-Nico

I think its silly to buy a so called "starter kit". just buy what you need as you need it. ebay is a place to get some deals. first do you know the C language? no buy a book you will need it, a the wiring language is very similar to C.

you just don't have all of the library that C would have and you have a simplified interrupts  to deal with like no UNIX/Linux signal. then pick a project get the shopping list together and buy what you need..

hang in there

Cris H.