Friday Product Post: SIK VERSION 4.0!
Come on, come on, get down with the SIKness of the newest edition of our SparkFun Inventor's Kit!
Hello and welcome, one and all! This is a momentous week for us here at SparkFun Electronics, one that only happens every couple of years, as we release a new version of the SparkFun Inventor's Kit! That's right, everyone, the SIK v4.0 is here! In previous versions of the SIK, each circuit focused on introducing a new piece of technology. With the SIK v4.0, components are introduced in the context of the circuit you are building, and each circuit builds upon the last, leading up to a project that incorporates all of the components and concepts introduced throughout the guide. With new parts and a completely new strategy, even if you've used the SIK before, you're in for a brand-new experience!
Not only are we releasing the new SIK today, but we also have an Arduino Uno version, a Bridge Pack to update your existing kit, and a slew of new products that make up these new kits.
On top of the new versions of the SIK, we also have produced a brand-new Online Experiment Guide and an informational page. These pages can be found here:
Now that we've covered the changes and knowledge bases, let's take a closer look at the new kit and components!
The SIKness!
The SparkFun Inventor's Kit (SIK) is a great way to get started with programming and hardware interaction with the Arduino programming language. The SIK includes everything you need to complete five overarching projects consisting of 16 interconnected circuits that teach everything from blinking an LED to reading sensors. The culminating project is your very own autonomous robot! No previous programming or electronics experience is required to use this kit. New parts, new box, new projects!
The kit does not require any soldering and is recommended for beginners ages 10 and up.
We have a version of the SIK for our international friends as well! The SparkFun Inventor's Kit for Arduino Uno replaces the SparkFun RedBoard with the Arduino Uno (SMD version) and comes without the SIK guidebook and carrying case. With these parts being swapped and removed, we were able to reduce the overall size and weight of the kit, making shipping cheaper and easier for anyone ordering internationally. Anyone is free to purchase this kit or the original RedBoard version (listed above), but we love to provide you with options!
Do you own one of the third versions of our popular SparkFun Inventor's Kit and aren't ready to buy version 4.0? You are in luck! The SparkFun Inventor's Kit Bridge Pack was built to provide you with an easy way to move into the next SIK edition without buying a whole new kit. Each Bridge Pack includes all of the new parts found in the SIK v4.0 that aren't in any of the version 3 kits, as well as the most up-to-date guidebook so you can get started right away!
Sometimes all you need is a simple but durable carrying case for your parts or projects. This carrying case is molded out of protective, black High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), providing a good mix of abrasion resistance, impact toughness, resistance to chemicals, and strength for whatever you need to put inside!
Unlike previous cases for the SIK, this version does not feature storage compartments. If you like to keep your components ultra-organized, we've provided a 3D-printable file that you can use to create separators for your case. We have also provided the interior dimensions on the product page so you can design your own separators to meet your specific needs.
The SparkFun TB6612FNG Motor Driver can control up to two DC motors at a constant current of 1.2A (3.2A peak). Two input signals (IN1 and IN2) can be used to control the motor in one of four function modes: CW, CCW, short-brake or stop. The two motor outputs (A and B) can be separately controlled, and the speed of each motor is controlled via a PWM input signal with a frequency up to 100kHz. We also offer a version with headers already attached!
These versions of our Motor Driver are largely similar to the previous iterations, but we have fixed a few silk errors.
This is a simple 4-pack of multicolor buttons, great for all sorts of projects! Unlike previous iterations of multicolor buttons, this pack's tactile switches are actually recessed into the housing so they don't accidentally fall off during use. Each pack comes with one red button, one blue button, one yellow button and one green button.
Last up today are five new versions of your basic resistors that have been largely requested by you! These new resistors come in packs of 20 and feature much thicker leads that will be sure to remain in place when inserted into breadboard ports. No wiggling and no hassle! These resistors come in 330 ohm, as shown above, 100 ohm, 1K ohm, 10K ohm and 1M ohm versions. The thicker-lead versions of the 330 and 10K ohm resistors are included in the SIK v4.0.
Finally we're taking part in Single's Day for the first time ever with a few sweet discounts including 11% off most sensors. You can check out all the details here!
That's it, everyone! We really hope you enjoy the newest version of the SparkFun Inventor's Kit. We are confident that this SIK will help even more individuals become interested in coding and prototyping with electronics! As always, we can't wait to see what you make with these parts! Shoot us a tweet @sparkfun, or let us know on Instagram or Facebook. We’d love to see what projects you’ve made!
Thanks for stopping by. We'll see you next week with even more new products!
Pennywise! That brings me back!
/me changes play list
Heck Yeah! I almost always rep a punk shirt when I have to be on camera.
You aren't the only one, Joel_E_B.