Friday Product Post: Can We Fix It? Yes We Can!
Two new iFixit kits are available, along with two new ESP8266 Thing Starter Kits!
We have been impatiently waiting for this week to come, because starting today we now offer two iFixit toolkits! We are very excited to be carrying these expertly crafted repair products, and in the coming months we'll be offering even more from iFixit, in more ways than one! Following the toolkits, we have two SparkFun ESP8266 Thing Starter Kits that will help you get into IoT solutions easily. Rounding out the day, we also are offering up a new RGB rotary encoder, as well as a seven-pack of alligator cables. Let's take a closer look at all of our new products!
I can fix it, you can fix it, we can all fix it!
Having a broken phone or electronics device stinks, whether it's a screen going out, a cable becoming unplugged, or a more severe issue that will cost more to fix than your device is worth. The majority of us have had it happen. For those who'd rather "DIY" it themselves, the iFixit Pro Tech and iFixit Essential Electronics toolkits are for professionals and amateurs alike who are willing to step up to the plate. What makes the iFixit line stand out from others is the quality and accuracy of the tools, including popular (but maybe more importantly, unpopular) driver bits and plastic shims, as well as other helpful tools for when you need to remove parts carefully.
Make IoT easy with these Starter Kits!
The SparkFun ESP8266 Thing Starter Kits are a great place to learn about the Internet of Things (IoT) and programming in Arduino. We've put together two simple boxes of parts from you choose from: the SparkFun ESP8266 Thing Starter Kit and the SparkFun ESP8266 Thing Dev Starter Kit. If you have ever been interested in learning about IoT, Arduino and wireless solutions, the SparkFun ESP8266 Thing Starter Kit is a perfect place to start!
Rotary encoders can be used like potentiometers, the difference being that an encoder has full rotation without limits. They output gray code so you can tell how much and in which direction the encoder has been turned. They're great for navigating menu screens and things like that. This encoder is especially cool because it has a common anode RGB LED built in, as well as a push-button.
Alligator clips (or crocodile clips, if you prefer) are likely to be the most useful thing on your workbench beside the workbench itself. Whether you're just trying to make a few quick connections to test your circuit, or you're having trouble making your multimeter leads stay where you need them, these spring-loaded clips are a workshop must-have. Each lead in this pack of seven is 50cm long with a rubber shrouded alligator clip on each end.
That's it for this week! we are excited for you to be able to start fixing your busted electronics and learning about IoT! As always, we can't wait to see what you make! Shoot us a tweet @sparkfun, or let us know on Instagram or Facebook. We’d love to see what projects you’ve made!
Will you guys ever sell the driver kit alone? Some of us might have an abundance of spatulas and tweezers but not enough amazing driver sets.
Dang it... Ted you got me!
I LOVE THIS ROBOT
It took me a second to get this one... I'll notify someone about the typo.