http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BT0NDB8



You don't need to know jack about this stuff and you can still have a lot of fun building fun stuff.  This is an incredible price and it's temporary, so jump first and ask questions later!

Can it mine bitcoins?

Bingo, 52 orders on Amazon in 52 weeks.  

I'd actually been meaning to get an UNO.   That;s a great price with all the goodies.

I don't know the first thing about these.
Is the UNO better than other brands?

UNO is more of the model.   UNO, MEGA, some others I can't recall.  

The brand is Arduino, which is the original Eye-talian makers.

That's a nice setup for a hell of a deal.

I think I payed 80 for a similar Uno starter kit.

Oh man, I used to play with this stuff when I was 15. I'd be at Radio Shack, MarvacDow, and Frys all the time buying bits and pieces and have all the Forrest M. Mims III "Engineers Mini Notebooks". Seeing the OPs pic I thought WTF? Then I clicked the link and saw the bread board and knew what this is. If only it was around when I was a kid.

No need for it now, but it's a damn fine price for those wanting to entertain themselves.

What is it ?

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Great for arduino projects...C++ programming...


Could you guys enlighten us peons... what's it for?  What does it do?

I'd just accidentally the whole thing.

I thought the thread title said "Underoos Starter Kit" at first…

It's like a PLC.

You write programs to control stuff.   It has inputs and outputs.

Say you had an automated reloader.   You could have a time-delay relay or something as an input with the input for THAT controlled with a micro switch.  Micro switch get's clicked every time the press goes to it's topmost or bottomost extent.   If the time delay relay goes without being energized in the specified time, the relay switch sends input signal to the arduino.   That would be an example of an error sensor.  Press is stuck, so the proper input is sent to the arduino which does whatever you program it to.

Like send a message to your email and shut down the power to the press and sound a warning buzzer.

You can do all kinds of cool stuff with arduino.

I used to do this stuff with the expansion ports and sometimes joystick ports on the VIC-20, C-64, and Atari 800.





 

okay.
I just bought one.  I still don't know what it is.
I hope you're right.

Do I need to learn some programming language now?
Can I use my Windows machine to program it?

Tempted to do the same.

Arduinos are open-sourced, general-purpose microcomputers.  They are programmed with a language that's a mix of C and C++.  The development environment is totally free.  I know there is a version that runs under Windows (I use it).  Other platforms may be supported.

 

Is it anything even remotely like the Rasberry Pi?

I have a bunch of Arduino stuff

I dont know squat about the programming language though

Here are a couple examples of what you can do with very little ability.







 

I kinda wanted one for making a little cheap 3 axis CNC. I don't really have the space for one though.

Maybe this would be too simple for this board, but I'd like to know how to set one up with a multi-colored LED ribbon for a multicopter.  To have chase lights, pulse or blink with different positions on a RC transmitter slider switch.

Could this easily control the speed of a couple of 12 volt motors. and be repeatable?

yep.



 

Bought 1

I followed them from Sepulveda to Washington - always good stuff at good prices. I can't really convince myself to make the drive ow that they've closed up shop and moved it all to Costa Mesa.  



 

For the guys just getting started:

Got to www.arduino.cc

Download the IDE program. It's a java based program that initially doesn't look like much. Similar to a notepad program you start writing the code there. At the top menu bar there are numerous project examples that will open up and you can get an idea of what's to be expected programming wise. It's based on C++ and there are numerous message boards where you can ask for help and look at other examples. There is a wiki as well with definitions of the various programming functions and statements.

The UNO is based on the Atmel 328P chip and is powerful enough for most beginner projects. The MEGA2560 and DUE boards offer more I/O pins and serial ports. The DUE even has true USB capability.

If  you stop into radioshack you will what they call "shields". These are add on boards with various capabilites such as, Ethernet, relays, cellular capability, touch screen LCD displays etc... You don't need a shield and can directly interface to any device as long as you make the correct connections and have the right coding. The UNO is 5v compliant but I believe the DUE is 3.3V.
Some example code from one of the projects in the IDE:

/*
 Arduino Starter Kit example
Project 7  - Keyboard

This sketch is written to accompany Project 7 in the
Arduino Starter Kit

Parts required:
two 10 kilohm resistors
1 Megohm resistor
220 ohm resistor
4 pushbuttons
piezo

Created 13 September 2012
by Scott Fitzgerald

http://arduino.cc/starterKit

This example code is part of the public domain
*/

// create an array of notes
// the numbers below correspond to
// the frequencies of middle C, D, E, and F
int notes[] = {262, 294, 330, 349};

void setup() {
   //start serial communication
 Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
 // create a local variable to hold the input on pin A0
 int keyVal = analogRead(A0);
 // send the value from A0 to the Serial Monitor
 Serial.println(keyVal);
 
 // play the note corresponding to each value on A0
 if(keyVal == 1023){
   // play the first frequency in the array on pin 8
   tone(8, notes[0]);
 }
 else if(keyVal >= 990 && keyVal <= 1010){
   // play the second frequency in the array on pin 8
   tone(8, notes[1]);
 }
 else if(keyVal >= 505 && keyVal <= 515){
   // play the third frequency in the array on pin 8
   tone(8, notes[2]);
 }
 else if(keyVal >= 5 && keyVal <= 10){
   // play the fourth frequency in the array on pin 8
   tone(8, notes[3]);
 }
 else{
   // if the value is out of range, play no tone
   noTone(8);
 }
}
 

Yes google pulse width modulation + arduino + motor for some examples.

Are these anything like basic stamps?

Yes, basically in function but more advanced. These are based on C++ language.

Thank you - ordered one, which I plan on using as the controller for a homebuilt annealing machine

Alternatively, if you just want an easy way to fine tune your speed, just get an LED light dimmer.   I'm controlling a 12V gear motor with one.

Ok I'm sold, but why is it $55 for me?

It was a "flash sale."   Had a timer on it and everything.

55 bucks is still a good price, tho.

I need to control 2 motors for 4 different brass sizes, so repeatability(speed for each kind of brass) is important.  Besides, this sounds like fun!

Some anonymous person on the internet said you needed something,you bought it not even knowing what it is ?

Holy shit man,I didn't think people like you really existed.

I think his application is that he wants to turn a little "gear" that rotates the brass around in a circle.   Like my neck cutter, but with a propane torch instead of a slitting cutter.

A certain speed for 5.56.   A different speed for .308.  "repeatable" so that he can just select the setting rather than have to "tune" it every time.

Can this be used to get me off in some fashion or another, without having to use my hands?

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Thank you very much gents.  I haven't touched C++ in years, but love learning new skillsets.  Knowing now that it CAN be done just makes the quest more fun.

Now to look at touchscreens and digital read outs...

How much would you pay for such a thing?

It's also stupid easy to build a PWM controller. The parts for it can be had for a couple bucks.

You can use one to run your indoor garden

Mucho dinero.

Which for me, is like $50.

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That is bad ass.

Just get a sawzall and a dildo.  Color and size are your preference.  Some assembly required.

looks dangerous , what the hell is it, what does it do?

double

It sits in it's box in the closet.