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Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits

thimble.io

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Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits

#111

Post by xemdetia »

beshrkayali wrote: post #95

I like the idea of an electronics kit with instructions. But (and I'm sorry if this sounds negative but I'm just FED UP) I'm so SICK of freaking subscription services. Can't you guys just rely on interested customers coming back if they want to? The way I see it, there's absolutely no relation between the message you have on the site to teach people electronics and make a few bucks while you're at it, and the need fo…

I think the thing that bothers me more about the subscription plans right now is that I don't have an expectation of what I am going to get for the first few months. There is no schedule, no 'theme' or anything like that listed on the OP but I feel (recently) that every time I am presented with a new subscription service I have no idea what I am getting even the next month, which defeats the point.

Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits

#112

Post by hahamrfunnyguy »

Nice looking site and packaging. I am teaching myself analog electronics design, and something to help me achieve that objective quicker would be nice. I am doing it as a hobby and don't want to spend a lot either!

I think the price of $50 or $60 for a random kit is a too expensive[1]. A better model for the product, in my opinion is a magazine + bag of parts and materials $20-$30 monthly or bi-monthly seems fair. The parts and materials could be used to build circuits and conduct experiments that help you better understand the theory.

[1]As a reference point, for probably $20, you could get yourself a TI launchpad (or similar) and a bunch of parts that would allow you to build a TON of fun and interesting circuits.

Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits

#113

Post by pps43 »

Sir_Cmpwn wrote: post #46

My issue with learning electronics is that there's a steep gap between "plug this into that" and "plug this into that because x ". I want to learn how to reason about the latter. Most resources I've seen like this don't give you that, they just have a bunch of prefab projects and lead you through them with the former strategy. Fortunately I've been able to learn some of the latter on my own but it would be great to s…

> I want to build a simple circuit with a few LEDs and understand completely how it works and why it was designed that way.

Once you get bored by "battery plus LED" circuits, I recommend Nibbler 4 bit CPU [1] and transistor clock [2]. They are sufficiently complex to be impressive and hone your EE skills, yet simple enough to still finish even if you're not really an EE. They also can be understood completely, there are no secrets and all design decisions are explained in the documentation.

[1] http://bigmessowires.com/nibbler [2] http://transistorclock.com

Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits

#114

Post by joshvm »

Klathmon wrote: post #92
Sir_Cmpwn wrote: post #46

My issue with learning electronics is that there's a steep gap between "plug this into that" and "plug this into that because x ". I want to learn how to reason about the latter. Most resources I've seen like this don't give you that, they just have a bunch of prefab projects and lead you through them with the former strategy. Fortunately I've been able to learn some of the latter on my own but it would be great to s…

Mine as well. I've been doing it as a VERY light hobby now for a few years (maybe building a little thing every few months or so, using an ESP8266 here and there). I still don't quite get where the hell they are getting the amount of resistance needed, or why this capacitor is needed here, etc... I still haven't found any good resources that are between "plug x into y" and "read the whitepages for every component you…

Could you give a specific example?

Sometimes ICs require external passives with specific values (e.g. a 1uF ceramic on pin 3), but you'll never really understand why those values because the chip is a black box to you. Usually you have to place external components because they would be too large to design onto the die itself, particularly large things like capacitors and inductors. As such their value is whatever the manufacturer says it should be and you go along with it. Often the most magical component requirements are found in RF circuits, and then you may as well go with what the manufacturer recommends because the designers probably simulated it first.

That said, I would guess you're talking about things where various combinations of components would work - e.g. a voltage divider, do you use 1R/10R or 1kR/100kR? That particular example is explained quite well [here](http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/28897/how-to-...).

Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits

#115

Post by kwhitefoot »

Probably better to subscribe to something like Everyday Practical Electronics (UK) or Elektor (Netherlands) if you want some random projects. Then you get a chance to reject the ones you aren't interested in.

Anyway USD59 a month is ridiculous, you can by a big Arduino kit for less than the price of one month, for instance this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Ultimate-UNO-R3-Starter-Kit-For-...

After that you can just buy bits and pieces as needed.

There is no shortage of free help to be found online, all you need do is ask.

Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits

#116

Post by mitchty »

ageofwant wrote: post #87
mitchty wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would it pay off to get the lab book Learning The Art of Electronics too? https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Art-Electronics-Hands-Course...

Yes. I have both, they are often recommended together. Get both and start doing the Lab Course. Refer to the Art when needed. Once you've done the Lab book you can re-read the Art to fill in the gaps. I recon you need about 15 months worth of leisurely evenings to do it justice.

Cool beans thought so but wanted to be sure before I blew that much money. :)
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