I'm looking for a nice student one, with basic features. Some switches, test LEDS, etc. A wave generator would be cool, but I HIGHLY doubt there is any out there in the price range I'm considering ($20-30 or so).

What do you think?

 

I guess you're looking for PICAXE. Just look it in google, they are cheap and they got many kinds of starting kits/boards. And the microcontroller itself is really cheap.
PICAXE is from UK, so if you're from america just look from distributors.

 

Hmm, actually, I had something a bit more general purpose in mind. But thanks, I will check this out, also

 

I'm looking for a nice student one, with basic features. Some switches, test LEDS, etc. A wave generator would be cool, but I HIGHLY doubt there is any out there in the price range I'm considering ($20-30 or so).

What do you think?

For $20-$30 you would probably have to build one. You could get a blank strip of
solderless breadboard like the Twin Industries TW-E40-1020 and fasten it to a case.
You could add the switches and LEDs to the case with banana jack connections.

If you have a case (or built one out of wood) you may be able to meet your budget.

(* jcl *)

 

Radio Shack has a "Learning Lab" kit. at $65, it's more than twice what you were considering spending - but it'll take a good while before you run out of things to do with it. Comes with some well-written and easy to understand lab books, as well as components and jumper wires to experiment with.

As someone else on here said, it's almost too nice to be a beginner's board.

 

For $20-$30 you would probably have to build one. You could get a blank strip of
solderless breadboard like the Twin Industries TW-E40-1020 and fasten it to a case.
You could add the switches and LEDs to the case with banana jack connections.

If you have a case (or built one out of wood) you may be able to meet your budget.

(* jcl *)

Ah, interesting idea...

 

...original post deleted...
Sorry, when I posted that I was not all all thinking. I know this isnt the place for that, it was just the end of a very very long day and my judgement went out the window.

 

Hum hum...Zane, I advice you to change the post. You are using the forum for selling, although I may comprehend that your action is innocent.

 

I just use a $15 breadboard. I keep a box of wires and basic parts I frequently use (switches, regulaters, LEDs trim pots that fit the holes), and parts for building a clock source or simple amplifer. Sometimes I think about doing some simple strip-board circuits for those basic ciruits, to just plug in as needed, but never get around to it. I kind of like to see everything on the board anyway, kind of helps when I decide to etch a PCB for the circuit.

 

Zane, i missed your post but from the following one it appears you may know of or sell one for a reasonable price. if thats so, i'm wanting something similar for my son and would welcome the information via pm or email. hmm i haven't fully explored this forum yet, does it have a selling or advertising subtopic? seems to do well on other forums i've seen. thanks.

 

Usually selling stuff on the forum is a no-no. I think he had one sitting around, and was looking to help out a novice, and clear some space on his workbench. Kind of a tough call for the moderator, but wouldn't expect anything bad to happen in this case. Don't want to encourage selling, the spammers are a royal pain when they sneak in, and I don't think most people would consider buying anything from them anyway.
Nothing wrong with helping out fellow hobbists, but it's best to do it in private messages.

 

Thats pretty much it. I had some spare stuff I wouldnt mind unloading for cheap if people could put it to good use. It might not be a bad idea to have a vendor forum though for such instances...