Parallax Product Reviews and Ratings - Hobby projects & kits - What's a Microcontroller BASIC Stamp Kit from Radio Shack

Buy the What's a Microcontroller BASIC Stamp Kit on http://www.radioshack.com

Print This Page

What's a Microcontroller BASIC Stamp Kit image

(based on 11 ratings)

Read All Reviews

Brand:Parallax

Located in:Toys & Games, Hobby projects & kits

This kit teaches the fundamentals of BASIC Stamp microcontrollers and programming, or robotics.

More information for the What's a Microcontroller BASIC Stamp Kit

Product Reviews Summary

Avg. Customer Rating:

4.6 stars

(based on 11 reviews)

100% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Customers most agreed on the following attributes:

Pros:

Easy to use(9), Effective demonstration(6), Fun(5), Good performance(5), Good value(5)

Best Uses:

Home(6), School(5), Students(5), Teachers(4)

Describe Yourself:

Education oriented(4)

Great little kit

By Boomer from FL on 10/14/2008

Pros:

Effective Demonstration, Fun, Installed easily w wine, Interactive, Promotes Learning

Cons:

A little pricey, Had to buy serial to usb, Since serial is outdated

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Ambituous

The biggest con was having to buy a more modern com connecter since with the price being as it is it didnt really help i needed a[$] cable. I would definately reccomend this kit though, more than 48 hours allready into it and plenty more to go.

Great father and son project

By Happy Dad

from Evansville, Iniana on 8/23/2008

Pros:

Easy To Use, Effective Demonstration, Fun, Interactive, Promotes Learning

Best Uses:

Home, School, Students, Teachers

Describe Yourself:

Collector, Education Oriented, Parent, Thrifty

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

My son (7 yrs old) was spending too much time playing video games. I got this to "show him" how the video games work and how the circuitry works. I learned much more than I thought I knew and we both have a blast creating new things with this, and we both actually understood it. He is now 10 years old and we still get it out and do cool little projects with it. It it worth way more than the charge for it just for the education aspect of it. The book is worth what they charge. I have been an automotive technician (BMW and Porsche) for 30 years and this has helped me understand how the microprocessors work in these complicated vehicles.

This is a great kit.

By alpha

from columcus ohio on 6/24/2008

Pros:

Easy To Use, Effective Demonstration, Fun, Interactive, Promotes Learning

Best Uses:

Home, School, Students, Teachers

Describe Yourself:

Education Oriented

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

If you're interested in microcontrollers, pick this up!

Cool little tool

By Pope Darren from Little Rock, AR on 12/6/2007

Pros:

Easy To Use, Effective Demonstration, Fun, Interactive, Promotes Learning

Cons:

Does Not Work Well

Best Uses:

Home, School, Students, Teachers

Describe Yourself:

Education Oriented, Thrifty

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

This is a pretty cool little product, it gives you a good knowledge base. The book is easy to read and it explains things and asks you questions. Problem for those with only USB and no serial ports: I spent an extra ~60 additional dollars and two weeks trying to get it connected to my computer. The serial to USB converter at RS didn't work and the one from Parallax took about a week to get here. Then when I got it, plugged it in, loaded the driver... still didn't work. I finally figured out that I have to install the driver then roll it back, only then will the computer find the board. And I have to do that every time. Annoying. Still, it's a great way to learn something I had no clue about. I can't wait to go to the next level.

Great Starter Kit!

By Inventor from New Bern, NC on 11/8/2007

Pros:

Book is Well-Written, Effective Demonstration, Interactive, Promotes Learning

Cons:

Chip Built Into Board

Best Uses:

Home, School, Students, Teachers

Describe Yourself:

Education Oriented, Inventor, Parent

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Great kit for those wanting to learn how to program ICs for use in their own projects. The only drawback to this kit is that it does not allow for the removal of your programmed chip like other kits do. Of course, this design was intentional to keep costs down. If you plan to program chips to eventually add to your own circuits, [...]

[4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]

Yo check this out

By Neitwise from Phillay phillayy on 7/6/2007

Pros:

Easy To Use, Effective Demonstration, Fun, Interactive, Promotes Learning

Cons:

Expensive, Too simple

Best Uses:

Home, L33t Hax0rs, School, Students

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Baskilly this product is phat all around. By reading the book it took me one weekend rather than a few weeks to master the art of the basic stamp. After creating the tutorial circuits, using the included peripheral devices, you can go on to make whatev u want after that. It is a great way to learn about micro controllers. Heck yes i'd recommend it to any aspiring electronics dude.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

This kit is a lot of fun, ...

By Steven K from Croswell, Michigan on 7/20/2006

Pros: