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Arduino
Arduino Forum Some thoughts on the last inventor kit from SparkFun
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Related

Some thoughts on the last inventor kit from SparkFun

balearicdynamics
balearicdynamics over 10 years ago

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13271?utm_source=SparkFun+Customer+Newsletter&utm_campaign=5582a812a4-June19_newslette…

 

What shown in the link above is essentially what is shown in the image below:

image

I have done a small test about its content:

The main piece is the sort of Spark-uino image, Arduino compatible etc. with optiboot instead of the standard Arduino bootloader. It costs 19$ from Sparkfun.

Then the kit includes:

DC motor, 2$ - 3$

20 coloured LEDs, 6$ for all, average price on Farnell site

3 pushbuttons + 2 (different size) and other discrete components for about 4$ (average price on Farnell site)

I want to ignore the cables, anyway we can add another 3$ for this stuff

Servo motor, around 6$

Sound sensor and accelerometer, 10$ (just to exagerate)

A small-sized breadboard with support, around 5$

 

The total of this stuff is less than 60$, most of them IMHO is useless.

 

The kit is sold at 149$, three times more (!!!) but what leave me astonished is that after years (because are years) the new, the last updated release, the non-plus-ultra again proposes always the same soup: a list of always the same circuits, from blinking a LED up to detect acceleration, detect sound and so on. With a very poor satisfaction of the customer, I think, as he should do nothing more than copy-and-plug the circuits designed on the documentation. That is all downloadable.

 

What a well educated, really supported user can do with 150$ ? I think more and more and more. With more satisfaction and surely acquiring more knowledge.

 

Just to share a point of view.

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Top Replies

  • mcb1
    mcb1 over 10 years ago +2
    balearicdynamics Enrico you are quite right about the cost markup ... just because it's packaged. Whether they supply you with Labview is perhaps the only difference. DAB The kit makes a great gift for…
  • ipv1
    ipv1 over 10 years ago +1
    I get most of my stuff from www.seeedstudios.com which is pretty decent in terms of the price. They offer free shipping for orders above 50USD and this order may also include PCBs! I recently got a solar…
  • mcb1
    mcb1 over 10 years ago in reply to balearicdynamics +1
    It seems that Labview is either another marketing exercise or the uptake was poor. That's a hefty discount ... Diligent are selling the Labview Home Bundle for $49 https://www.digilentinc.com/Products…
Parents
  • DAB
    DAB over 10 years ago

    I think you need to look past just the value of the components as a comparison.

     

    You have the cost of establishing the BOM, the instructions and creating the projects for someone new to microcomputers and electronics to get a controlled taste.

     

    What if you did not have access to all of the parts, let along a clue about how to put stuff together.

     

    The kit makes a great gift for young kids just getting interested into the technology.

     

    Cost verses value can be very subjective, so I would have to disagree about this one.

     

    DAB

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  • balearicdynamics
    balearicdynamics over 10 years ago in reply to DAB

    Dab, sure I have considered this.

     

    The calculated cost is based on a single piece bought as a generic customer. This stuff does not cost much more than 20$ to the producer. So, just because this is for people, and hopefully kids, approaching for the first time this fascinating world, why do not do a real effort in terms of supporting the new generations, and put few more added value to these kits that are sold at least five times to their cost?

     

    What I mean is that these seems just business options, but - in this case - please don't speak me of any cultural operation, it's bare business !

     

    Enrico

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  • balearicdynamics
    balearicdynamics over 10 years ago in reply to DAB

    Dab, sure I have considered this.

     

    The calculated cost is based on a single piece bought as a generic customer. This stuff does not cost much more than 20$ to the producer. So, just because this is for people, and hopefully kids, approaching for the first time this fascinating world, why do not do a real effort in terms of supporting the new generations, and put few more added value to these kits that are sold at least five times to their cost?

     

    What I mean is that these seems just business options, but - in this case - please don't speak me of any cultural operation, it's bare business !

     

    Enrico

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