This review compares two popular Arduino starter kits: RadioShack's RDX kit and Seeed Studio's offering (though the Seeed Studio kit is not explicitly detailed). The focus is primarily on the RadioShack kit, examining its contents, ease of assembly, and overall value for beginners. We'll delve into the included components, the quality of the instruction manual, and the learning experience it provides. Particular attention will be paid to the kit's strengths and weaknesses, highlighting both positive aspects and areas for potential improvement.The RadioShack Arduino RDX starter kit, priced at $49.99 (plus the separately purchased Arduino Uno), is evaluated based on its practicality and usefulness for aspiring electronics enthusiasts. We explore the assembly process, noting any challenges encountered, and assess the completeness and clarity of the included instructions. This review aims to provide a balanced perspective, offering insights into whether this particular kit is a worthwhile investment for individuals embarking on their Arduino journey.
Pros And Cons
- Includes a breadboard, acrylic board, plastic rivets, and various components.
- Comes with a book containing instructions and experiments.
- Provides a good introduction to Arduino programming and basic electronics.
- Includes a variety of components such as resistors, transistors, sensors, LEDs, jumper wires, a servo motor, a relay, buttons, and a shift register.
- Offers a good value for the price (around $40).
- The included breadboard overlays don't perfectly align with the breadboard.
- Long connectors under the Arduino may interfere with attaching it to the acrylic board.
- Some components may require additional tools (e.g., needle-nose pliers for breakaway headers).
Read more: Smartivity Magic of Science Kit Review: 50+ Engaging Experiments for Kids
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
The RadioShack Arduino RDX starter kit, purchased for $49.99, includes a breadboard, an acrylic base for mounting the breadboard and Arduino, and plastic rivets for secure assembly. The Arduino Uno was acquired separately for $29.99, also from RadioShack. While the kit might be cheaper elsewhere, its convenience and inclusion of some necessary parts made it a worthwhile purchase for my needs.
Assembly Challenges and Solutions
One minor issue encountered during assembly was the interference of connectors underneath the Arduino's power and USB ports, which prevented proper mounting to the acrylic base. This required some careful filing and bending of the connectors. Exercise caution to avoid bending the Arduino board itself during this process. The use of plastic rivets is generally straight forward.
Breadboard Overlay Issues
The included breadboard overlay, while helpful, doesn't perfectly align with the breadboard itself. This misalignment could lead to components being placed in incorrect holes, potentially reversing polarity. Careful attention is needed to avoid this error, especially considering the significant offset in some columns.
Kit Contents and Documentation
The kit comes with a comprehensive instruction manual guiding users through breadboard setup, software installation (Windows and Mac), basic programming concepts, and component identification. It progresses through a series of experiments, starting with a simple blinking LED project and escalating to more complex projects involving multiple LEDs, motors, and servos. The book provides clear steps and explanations for each experiment.
Component Overview and Usage
The kit includes a variety of components such as resistors (560Ω, 2.2kΩ, 10kΩ), transistors (PN2222A), a temperature sensor (TMP36), a 9V battery, capacitors, diodes, a photo sensor, a vibration sensor, LEDs (including an RGB LED), jumper wires, a servo motor, a DC motor, a relay, push buttons, a potentiometer, a piezoelectric buzzer, and a 74HC595 shift register. The manual provides instructions for utilizing each component effectively.
Breakaway Headers and Best Practices
The kit contains breakaway headers. It's recommended to avoid breaking them until needed, as you may want to keep some rows connected. Using needle-nose pliers is suggested for cleaner breaks, rather than attempting it with your fingers. This helps prevent accidental breakage or uneven separation.
Conclusion and Overall Assessment
Overall, the RadioShack Arduino RDX starter kit offers a good value for beginners. While the breadboard overlay alignment could be improved, the comprehensive manual, wide array of components, and included experiments make it an excellent learning tool. The kit provides a valuable introduction to essential Arduino components and their application in various projects. It's a great way to get started with Arduino and learn valuable electronics principles. Despite some minor flaws, the kit provides good bang for the buck.
