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SparkFun Inventor's Kit - V3.3

As you may have seen from our blog post, we recently moved our injection mold for SIK cases over from China to Longmont, CO, in order to provide a quicker supply of cases when we are low on stock. Unfortunately, after we made the transition, we found our mold had begun to break and has needed lots of repair. Therefore, we created the SIK Special Edition. This SIK will not have a the normal carrying case when you receive them, but instead one of our tried and true red boxes at a reduced price. If you are looking to purchase an SIK be sure to head over to the SIK Special Edition page to pick one up!

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 16 circuits that will teach you how to read sensors, display information on an LCD, drive motors, and more. You don't need any previous programming or electronics experience to use this kit.

The full-color SIK Guidebook (included) contains step by step instructions of how to connect each circuit with the included parts. Full example code is provided and explained and even includes troubleshooting tips if something goes wrong.

The kit does not require any soldering and is recommended for beginners ages 10 and up. Version 3.3 returns the popular carrying case to the kit as well as replacing the older 2N2222 transistors with the BC337.

  • Circuit 1: Blinking an LED
  • Circuit 2: Reading a Potentiometer
  • Circuit 3: Driving and RGB LED
  • Circuit 4: Driving Multiple LEDs
  • Circuit 5: Push Buttons
  • Circuit 6: Reading a Photo Resistor
  • Circuit 7: Reading a Temperature Sensor
  • Circuit 8: Driving a Servo Motor
  • Circuit 9: Using a Flex Sensor
  • Circuit 10: Reading a Soft Potentiometer
  • Circuit 11: Using a Buzzer
  • Circuit 12: Driving a Motor
  • Circuit 13: Using Relays
  • Circuit 14: Using a Shift Register
  • Circuit 15: Using an LCD
  • Circuit 16: Simon Says

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SparkFun Inventor's Kit - V3.3 Product Help and Resources

Core Skill: Robotics

This skill concerns mechanical and robotics knowledge. You may need to know how mechanical parts interact, how motors work, or how to use motor drivers and controllers.

1 Robotics

Skill Level: Noob - You will be required to put together a robotics kit. Necessary parts are included and steps will be easy to follow. You also might encounter basic robotics components like bearings, mounts, or other hardware and need a general idea of how it goes together.
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Core Skill: DIY

Whether it's for assembling a kit, hacking an enclosure, or creating your own parts; the DIY skill is all about knowing how to use tools and the techniques associated with them.

1 DIY

Skill Level: Noob - Basic assembly is required. You may need to provide your own basic tools like a screwdriver, hammer or scissors. Power tools or custom parts are not required. Instructions will be included and easy to follow. Sewing may be required, but only with included patterns.
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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.

2 Programming

Skill Level: Rookie - You will need a better fundamental understand of what code is, and how it works. You will be using beginner-level software and development tools like Arduino. You will be dealing directly with code, but numerous examples and libraries are available. Sensors or shields will communicate with serial or TTL.
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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

Comments

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We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.

Customer Reviews

4 out of 5

Based on 4 ratings:

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1 of 2 found this helpful:

Solid kit; everything works.

by verified purchaser

These kits are solid. I bought several for the makerspace where I work (a university library). Students don't seem to tear them up. That's high praise! The SIK guidebook that comes with it is a great crash course in digital electronics and simple programming techniques. It comes with enough of a variety of parts to cover the basics of microcontroller / electronics interfacing.

2 of 5 found this helpful:

Poor quality control on breadboards

by verified purchaser

If you are considering these for a class please realize that the breadboards that are included with this kit are terrible. They do not make positive contact with the provided resistors in at least 80% of the holes and do not make positive contact with larger items such as chips and wires at least 10% of the time. This will be extremely frustrating for students trying to trouble shoot their circuit. I rate this product with 1 star because not only is this a problem but Sparkfun is aware of it. I had the following email exchange.

"I am going to arrange for 2 replacement breadboards. Unfortunately, these issues aren’t actually a defect. It seems to be a combination of acceptable variation in manufacturing between our different products and sometimes the combo just doesn’t work well. I do apologize for the inconvenience."

The replacement breadboards that were sent were also worthless. I purchased replacement boards made by Global Specialities that make positive contact on even the smallest leads on 100% of the holes at a similar price point to Sparkfun's boards. Until Sparkfun increase the level their quality control standards I cannot recommend this product. If different combinations of products do not work well together, I would expect a company to refrain from selling them as a kit.

by verified purchaser

Excellent educational kit for young inquisitive minds.