Challenge yourself : learn by doing. A NerdKit is a combination of electronic parts and wisdom, which together will teach you about digital electronics, embedded systems, and how to bridge computers with the “real world”. The electronics world has changed dramatically in the past few decades. We want to make sure that it’s still easy to get involved with modern technology, and to experience a challenging and rewarding hobby! Our kits are based around an Atmel ATmega168 microcontroller (MCU). These are powerful, industrial grade MCUs, and we help you build a full system around them. Each has a CPU, permanent storage (flash memory), temporary storage (static RAM), and inputs and outputs. The most significant feature which sets us apart from other kits is that we include a LCD screen with your kit, capable of displaying 24×2 characters. For any projects that require a person to interact with the circuit, an LCD screen is an essential device. Once you get the kit, you can register on our members website, and get access to The Official NerdKits Guide and other materials. The Official NerdKits Guide is an 82-page color PDF document, which walks you through setting up a temperature sensor project and two other smaller projects, giving you all the knowledge you need to tackle your own projects along the way. Additionally, we have lots of project ideas, source code, and free videos on our website! Most importantly, the NerdKits team is always available to help you if you get stuck. We have happy customers around the world and are ready to welcome you into the growing NerdKits community. A computer with a USB port and Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux is required. Additionally, you will need wire strippers and a screwdriver. A multimeter can be helpful as well.

Users electronic tags:

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6 Responses to “NerdKits USB Microcontroller Electronics Starter Kit”

1. J. Lawrence says:

   February 12, 2010 at 12:00 am

   I purchased the NerdKit back in December. This kit has been a very helpful tutorial in the world of microcontrollers. Everything I needed to get started was included in the kit, and the step by step instructions given by the NerdKit staff was just great. If you are thinking about getting into microcontrollers as part of a hobby or practice for an engineering major, this kit could help a lot. I think I need to stress that you are not just paying for electronic components, but for the expert tutorial and help that the NerdKit staff can offer. I recommend this.

   Reply
2. David Ray says:

   January 28, 2010 at 12:00 am

   I bought my Nerdkit around a month ago. I am totally enjoying the experience. My problem now is spending every evening messing with it and related stuff that working with the kit has got me interested in.

   A Nerdkit is a collection of components, some software, helpful documentation and an active user community. It’s primary part is an Atmel ATMEGA168 microcontroller preprogrammed with a bootloader that makes it easy to load and reload your own programs from your PC(Windows, Mac or Linux). Also included is a needed USB to serial cable, a 4×20 LCD display and various passive components.

   Purchasing the kit gives you access to a users manual that is nice mix of electronics tutorial, c programming guide and microcontoller introduction. You also have full access to an active user community with frequent involvement of the Nerdkit guys. I have not asked anything in the forum yet but have learned alot reading other people’s questions, comments and suggestions.

   I think microcontrollers are great. Working with them is a cool mix of electronics and programming. There are probably other good kits out there. I have a Basic Stamp that I bought in an educational kit years ago. It is fun too. But going to the Atmel AVR series seems like a step up in power and sophistication. And Nerdkits has been a great way to get there.

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3. David A. Smith says:

   January 14, 2010 at 12:00 am

   Ok maybe not official or any thing, but the Nerd Kit Team gets my vote. Easy to follow guide practically guarantees success. The guide provides lots of reference links and topics for further investigation. They really nailed it!!!

   I can’t say enough good things. The Nerd Kit is a terrific product. I hope they give us more expansion kits or maybe they can look into some common household hacks that can be made. I think my wife wants a new toaster anyway… LOL

   Thanks again for the best learning experience ever.

   Reply
4. T. Tolman says:

   January 12, 2010 at 12:00 am

   As a kid, I always wanted one of those huge 100-in-1 kits and I remember I did get a cheaper 15-in-1 or something one christmas that had little springs sticking up out of a grey, plastic, pre-formed board. Since then I’ve seen the advent of microcontrollers and microprocessors (I remember my father having programmable EPROMS that were erased when exposed to light)and wanted very much to somehow learn more without going back to school. I’m so glad I finally found NerdKits!

   I’ve completed a few of the projects, had tons of fun doing them, learned a lot, and I now have this burning to learn more. I’ve got all these ideas popping up in my head so I went out and grabbed a few books: Art of Electronics, C Programming for the AVR, Introduction to Microprocessors and Microcontrollers, Programming And Customizing The AVR Microcontroller, just to name a few! I can’t remember the last time I’ve truly thirsted for knowledge this badly. It reminds me of a story told about Plato seeking knowledge of Socrates, he asked him many times about the meaning of life. Socrates led him into the water and suddenly grabbed him holding him under. After awhile he let him up and Plato thinking him crazy asked why he had done such a thing, Socrates answered, “I don’t know the answer to your question, ‘What is the meaning of my life?’, but I do know, when you want the answer as badly as you wanted your next breath a few minutes ago, I know you will find it.”

   I am driving my wife crazy talking about this new toy she bought me. Hell, I even taught her a little about binary today because she asked me what I was doing when I was thinking aloud while trying to figure out my age in binary (100110) LOL!

   I’m documenting my experiences with the NerdKit on a FaceBook photo album which is viewable by anyone here:

   [..]

   Thanks again NerdKits for opening my eyes to a whole new bailiwick.

   Reply
5. KillerWalrus says:

   January 11, 2010 at 12:00 am

   A couple of these reviews seem fake, as in the creators of this product are trying to promote their product in a dishonest way. I will definitely not be buying from a company that does such a thing. My proof? Not only do a couple of the reviews just seem fake, they are the only reviews that the user created. What are the chances of 5 or so Amazon users just reviewing one item, and only one item?

   Reply
6. Prius says:

   May 22, 2011 at 4:09 pm

   @killerwalrus I have no affiliations with amazon or nerdkits, and I have purchased lots of stuff from amazon, and I have only reviewed one thing on amazon – a book that I thought was particularly good about cryptography…

   Probability does not equal proof. And personally, if I were gonna fake a bunch of reviews, I’d go for at least twenty or so, and I’d throw in a couple of fake chick reviews for good measure.

   On the other hand, a usb enabled developer’s kit with c, documentation, and a 4×20 lcd for eighty bucks is pretty effing cool.

   “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.” – Sigmund Freud.

   Reply