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SparkFun Essential Sensor Kit

Want to start playing with sensors, but don't know where to begin? This kit includes a variety of basic sensors for any beginner or experienced programmer. With everything included in this kit, you'll be able to sense acceleration, force, vibration, Infrared light, ambient light, temperature, and more! These are some great basic sensors from varying categories.

This huge assortment of sensors makes an amazing gift for that very special electronics geek; they won't be able to thank you enough!

  • Triple Axis Accelerometer Breakout - MMA8452Q - Senses acceleration along all three axes, with a range of up to ±3g. Fully analog interface.
  • Hall Effect Sensor - Holding a magnet near this sensor will cause the output pin to toggle. This makes for a robust presence sensor.
  • Tilt Sensor - A simple AT407 basic tilt switch that can easily be used to detect orientation on your project.
  • Piezo Element - These two Piezo elements come in handy when you need to detect vibration or a knock. You can use these for tap or knock sensors pretty easily by reading the voltage on the output.
  • Insulated Reed Switch - Senses magnetic fields, makes for a great non-contact switch.
  • IR Receiver Diode - The TSOP382 is a miniaturized receiver for infrared remote control systems.
  • Infrared LED - This is a very simple, clear infrared LED. These devices operate between 940-950nm and work well for generic IR systems.
  • TMP36 - Temperature Sensor - The TMP36 is a low voltage, precision centigrade temperature sensor. It provides a voltage output that is linearly proportional to the Celsius temperature.
  • Trimpot 10K with Knob - This 10K trimmable potentiometer has a small knob built right in and it's breadboard friendly to boot!
  • 0.25" Magnet Square - Plays nicely with the reed switch. Embed the magnet into stuffed animals or inside a box to create a hidden actuator to the reed switch.
  • 0.5" Force Sensitive Resistor - A force sensing resistor with a 0.5" diameter sensing area. Great for sensing pressure (i.e. if it's being squeezed).
  • Mini Photocell - The photocell will vary its resistance based on how much light it's exposed to. Will vary from 1kΩ in the light to 10kΩ in the dark.
  • Flex Sensor - As the sensor is flexed, the resistance across the sensor increases. Useful for sensing motion or positioning
  • Piezo Buzzer/Speaker - This is a small 12mm round speaker that operates around the audible 2kHz range. You can use these speakers to create simple music or user interfaces.
  • Resistor 1.0M Ohm 1/6 Watt PTH - Two 1/6th Watt, +/- 5% tolerance PTH resistors. Commonly used in breadboards and perf boards

SparkFun Essential Sensor Kit Product Help and Resources

Core Skill: Soldering

This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.

2 Soldering

Skill Level: Rookie - The number of pins increases, and you will have to determine polarity of components and some of the components might be a bit trickier or close together. You might need solder wick or flux.
See all skill levels


Core Skill: Programming

If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.

3 Programming

Skill Level: Competent - The toolchain for programming is a bit more complex and will examples may not be explicitly provided for you. You will be required to have a fundamental knowledge of programming and be required to provide your own code. You may need to modify existing libraries or code to work with your specific hardware. Sensor and hardware interfaces will be SPI or I2C.
See all skill levels


Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

2 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
See all skill levels


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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5

Based on 4 ratings:

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1 of 1 found this helpful:

My son is enjoying it!

It seemed funny that the kit only comes with the pieces and not even a name/description of each sensor, but I was able to print that off from the website, and then also find a description & picture of each sensor by clicking on the "Parts Wishlist" link from the product web page. I like that there are also tutorials on the website for how to install each one. So we are happy with the purchase, and my son is enjoying trying them out.

thank you guys

Im happy with all my products, i will order from you guys, everything was in a perfect condition i will recommend you with all my geek friends.

Amazing

Very good.