Smraza Super Starter Kit with Control Board, Breadboard for Arduino

I am using this kit to teach a class on the Arduino for my local Ham Radio Club. Everyone in the class purchased the kit so we can all do the same experiments with the same parts. Several people remarked how many different parts are in the kit. It is the most economical way to get the Arduino and learn to use it. For the class I am doing a mix of several of the experiments from the lessons that are supplied with the kit and some of my own experiments. When I purchased the kit, it included a CD with all the material on it. I also got an email with a link to download the material. Now everyone must download it from the supplier's web site. This caused much confusion in the class since not everyone realized they needed to get code from the website and unzip it. Some of the students couldn't find the code on their computers. I spent a fair amount of time over several weeks explaining how to get the code and install it on the computer. It would be better to include the CD again, even though a lot of computers don't have CD drives anymore, most people do have portable drives. When I teach thhis class again, I will still use this kit.

I've seen others in person and countless videos on YouTube build many different things from beginner to advanced with Arduino and I've always wanted to try my hand at it. Very versatile system, lots of support online from various sites. I purchased this starter kit (due to its price, contents, & saw seller was actively answering questions) to play around with the capabilities of it, teach my young kiddo some cool electronics/coding, and to eventually build myself a home weather station (My ultimate goal down the road, and with a few additional parts not included in this kit, is to build myself a solar powered wireless weather station for my backyard). My kiddo has already given me a list of 20+ other things to build though first! Definitely worth getting a starter kit! Pros: Exactly what it's supposed to be. Great price for an all you need to get started kit, most pieces come in anti-static type bags, includes plenty of well organized pre-coded examples with PDF instruction sheets on cd to get you started, lot of different components to play around with, everything feels pretty solid. Cons: USB cord could be a little longer. The nature of the Arduino system means it's not instantly ready, you have to do a few steps to get started but it's not really a con, just a learning curve / first time setup for beginners like myself! Note: The box this kit came in was cracked and one of the hinges broke...I had ordered some light bulbs for the house and they arrived perfectly unharmed in the same shipping package so it must have cracked BEFORE shipping from Amazon. BUT not a single item inside was broken and nothing appeared affected whatsoever. Who needs a case though, I'll have it out to play with! Since this is my first time into this world here's what I did to get started in case others aren't sure what to do right after you open the box: 1. Verify all components there (has a card with pictures that list everything). My kit was complete. 2. Have a desk, etc where you can be on a computer and have space to lay the kit out. 3. You'll need your computer to be connected to the internet so you can download the free Arduino software that powers everything: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software - Under "Download the Arduino IDE" section look for the list on the right for links to install for either 'Windows installer', Mac, or Linux. (Alternately you can use their web based program on that page but remainder of my steps assume you downloaded the software). After selecting your computers operating system click "Just Download" on the optional Donate page. Once downloaded run the file (keep all settings it has and ok/yes to any Windows messages). You'll now have the Arduino program installed on your computer. The program lets you write your own code, copy and paste code from the internet or elsewhere, can check your code for some errors, and most importantly: uploads it to your UNO board from this kit so it can run/do something! 4. Use the kits provided USB cable and plug one end into the kits provided UNO board & other into a USB slot on your computer (short cord so if you have a longer one that fits that's fine too). The UNO board's light should come on now. 5. Find the Arduino program just installed and open it. 6. Tell the software WHAT you are using, in this case the board that says UNO on it from this starter kit: go to Tools, Board:, make sure "Arduino/Genuino UNO" selected. 7. Tell the software WHERE the UNO board is: go to Tools, Port:, make sure the item that has "(Arduino/Genuino UNO)" is selected. 8. You are now ready to write your code...alternatively you can just open up pre-written codes from the kits provided cd (or download from sellers website). Example: put cd in computer, select "S26" folder (this kit), "Lessons", you have plenty to choose from each containing a PDF with instructions and the sample code (when you open the sample code be sure to repeat steps 6 & 7 above). 9. With your/sample code ready click the check mark just above the code but just below the File button...this compiles it / checks for errors. 10. When it's finished (bottom area of program window tells you), click the arrow next to the check to send the code to your UNO board. Have fun experimenting! Tips: -Cd contains a getting started PDF that list most of the steps above. -When you power your UNO board back up (via USB cable or provided 9v battery pack (battery NOT included)) it will start running the last program you gave it. -If your code will display results back to your computer (such as temperature/humidity sensor readings) you'll only see the results if you open the results viewer: Tools, Serial Monitor. -When you write your own code / copy from the web you may get errors saying you need certain libraries to run it. To install go to "Sketch", Include Library, Manage Libraries, use filter to find what you need and select it or go on the web and find and download if not there (being sure to place any downloaded ones in your Arduino programs library folder).

I'm an EE, bought this for a 9yo that has had heavy exposure to Scratch programming and a tiny bit to conventional text-based Python. Kit has all of the key pieces to get started with Arduino. Kid did the first several labs with hardly any input from me, schematics were clear and there was an assembly drawing for each lab that's colorized which makes it easy to put the labs together for people that don't know how to follow schematics yet. Our goal is to transfer this to an Arduino vehicle chassis, and for that the kit is great and has all of the parts needed other than the chassis, motors, and motor controllers themselves. Children may not be sufficiently motivated to go through the whole set of labs by themselves if there's no end goal like that. However, adults/students looking to dip a toe into embedded and not interested in Linux behemoths like Rasberry Pi will find this kit invaluable for very little investment.

Pretty good about what you would expect out of an entry level to moderate kit but some of the diagrams don’t quite match up to the lesson so I had to tweak a couple a bit but overall a solid choice and of course the breadboard don’t take long to show wear and tear in spots but still works well overall and I’ve used it for quite a large number of hours now. Would buy again.

This came with more than expected. They come with enough items to create and change configurations to try new setups. Very pleased with price point and quality of items.

I was originally shopping for a breadboard, jumper wires, and some components to get started learning and experimenting with a Arduino variant board that I already had, however after adding up the costs of those bits individually, it made sense to just buy one of these bundles. It has more stuff than I wanted and stuff I'll likely never use, but I can't argue with the value this kit offers for less than $30. Other vendors offer similar kits, but from my experience thus far, you can't go wrong with the Smraza kit. Everything is well packaged in a plastic organizing case. Fortunately, my case did not come cracked or damaged like what has been reported by some other reviewers. The more sensitive components are in anti-static packaging. If I had to complain about anything, it's that the included case is too small to hold and organize the kit contents once the dividers are installed. I think a definite added-value is the lessons provided with the kit. It's great if you're the impatient type that likes quick results, since it's easy to follow the instructions and diagrams and get building. While I've yet to try them all, the few projects I did from the lessons worked perfectly. It really furthered the overall value of the kit by letting me play with the components that I thought I'd never use, and spark my imagination to build derivative projects. I really did not need the Arduino Uno R3 that comes with the kit- or so I thought. As it turns out, the board I already own (a pricy ChipKit WF32), while essentially being an *Arduino*, has some compatibility challenges relating to firmware that are beyond my current experience level, though I was able to use it with Arduino IDE to replicate the projects (lessons) provided by Smraza. The challenges were when I tried to get fancy and build projects in different development environments such as LabVIEW. Yes, there's LINX and LIFA and I think I'll get there eventually, but need to overcome issues with libraries (such as the DHT11) and WF32 firmware support in LIFA. No such problems using the *vanilla* Uno R3 board that came with the kit. So for now, my WF32 will gather dust.

Includes almost all the necessary

I received a Grove Beginner Kit for Christmas and immediately wanted to expand my Arduino collection, especially with breadboarding capabilities. I looked at several kits, since I'm new to the Arduino ecosystem, and found this one to be a great overall value. I've worked through almost all of the tutorial (recommended) and used almost everything in the kit. The components seem to be quality. For convenience I've mounted the Smraza MCU, the Grove kit, the Smraza breadboard and several Smraza components. I've loved the new hobby and I'm in the process of designing, building and programming an alarm system for two outdoor workshops. I had one component dead on arrival. The Smraza team were responsive friendly and prompt with replacing the part for my use. I recommend the kit for people wanting to get into Arduino MCU projects and programming. I don't recommend it for people without some prior understanding of electronic circuitry and programming. It does take some research to go beyond the tutorials, but well worth it. I recommend the kit and Smraza. In my photo, the Smraza kit components are on the left. The Grove kit is on the right (a single PCB). I liked the Smraza kit so much, I've already added other components for other projects.

Love it, love it, love it. Whilst I am relatively familiar with the arduino, this was bought for my daughter who has seen me meddle with the components and wants to get involved. This kit seems ideal It contains a wide variety of sensors and components along with an Arduino Uno, breadboard, jumps etc (full list seen in the description above), essentially everything you need to get started in basic programming and microprocessor electronics. The price represents superb value. The kit also contains a CD with the necessary software (though i would recommend go to Arduinos website and download the software there to ensure you have the latest version. Also on the CD are plenty of tutorials in well written english with good images to show you how/what to program and how/where to connect the various components. You will be creating your first sketch very quickly. There are also some PDF books on the CD which go into a bit more detail on the arduino and example sketches. Furthermore there are a huge amount of free resources on the web/youtube to continue your experimentation. Would strongly recommend this kit, for this price to anyone interested in starting out with Arduinos.

So I was looking at getting into a new hobby with my eldest son and he is quite keen on circuits and stuff so I thought I would look down that avenue. The market has many kits and its all a bit of a blur really so I emailed a few sellers to ask for some information. The kit I ended up buying was down to the response of the seller. I asked maybe 5 or 6 questions and got answers to them all so I decided to go for Smraza kit No26 The Super UNO R3 starter kit. This is somewhat more than a starter kit but contained enough stuff that we wouldn’t get bored at stage 1. The kit arrived fairly quickly and was well packaged in its own plastic case, wrapped in bubble wrap and packaged via amazon. Upon opening it I was greeted with a whole host of gizmos and packages which made no sense. After my initial panic I popped the cd in and had a look through the instructions. There was loads of pdf tutorials on it and I soon realised that it was going to take us a while to use the kit in the box. Instructions are decent enough, with very basic tutorials to much more complicated ones. If you know what you are doing and want to rush ahead I am sure you could but for us it will be a slow process. I cant fault the kit so far, its huge and has provided some fun already. I have noticed they sell other kits as well which are slightly cheaper but I like this one as it comes with so much stuff. As it stands I would use them again as a seller and also keep an eye on their stuff to build up our collection of gizmos to use. I also like the fact it was done via amazon so i have some comeback on the product if there was any problems.

Item just arrived today with full set of components tightly packed in a neat plastic box. There is a picture diagram of all the included components and all were present and correct. The box seems a little on the small side and well packed but probably will be OK when all the components are taken out of there anti static bags. I have connected the Ultimate UNO board to the computer and it is working perfectly with the blink test program pre-loaded. Haven't started any of the projects yet but they are all well documented both in a download sent by the seller and on the included CD with clear to follow tutorials as well as all the individual component data sheets. I have no previous electronics experience, but have been learning a bit a programming both in the Arduino C++ code and Python so can't wait to get started with the projects. I have had a couple of communications from the company offering support with the product if needed. This is great customer services with a great product.

First off, this is a brilliant kit for the money. It comes well packaged in a small plastic case and includes just about anything someone wishing to learn programming might want. I was absolutely bowled over by exactly how many components were included and had to check the contents twice because I kept missing bits. When I started using the kit the software was easy to install and the uno worked without a hitch leaving me to enjoy tinkering. The only let down was the instruction manual. This is provided on CD which is inconvenient as i (like most people these days) don’t have a CD drive on my laptop. A small note inside the pack said that you can download the instruction manual from the manufacturers website but after scouring the site I was unable to find it. Once I did get the instructions off of the disc I found them very clunky and easy to missunderstand. It was more difficult working out what they wanted you to do that it was to do it and some of the instructions were misleading, while others had contradictory information in them. The instructions are the reason why I have only given 4 stars however the kit itself is definitely 5 stars and you can easily find tutorials on the internet.

This kit comes at a great price point for what you get. It is jam-packed full of things to get you stated and comes with a disc (or online PDF) full of projects. The product was neatly packages and there were no missing/damages items. All parts are working as they should be. And if anything wasn't working; there is help on the included support/service card and ways of contacting the company. Overall I am very happy with this product and I would happily recommend this to anyone first starting on arduino.