BC Robotics 2020 Holiday Gift Guide
Gifts Under $50
Raspberry Pi Zero W Starter Kit
Price: $42.95 CAD
The Raspberry Pi Zero W Starter Kit is based on the the Raspberry Pi Zero Wireless and includes all the little pieces you need to get it up and running – just add a microSD card and a small power supply and you are ready to go! This version of the Raspberry Pi Zero has WiFi – perfect for connected projects needing an internet connection.
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37 Assorted Sensor Kit For Arduino
Price: $29.95 CAD
This low cost kit is a great way to get a bunch of different bits and pieces to experiment with your Arduino without breaking the bank! The kit includes 37 basic sensors, lights, and other inputs to connect to your Arduino along with a plastic storage case. Each module is breadboard compatible and requires no soldering – perfect for those just getting started. An online guide for each of the sensors is available in the resources section below.
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Raspberry Pi 3A+
Price: $39.95 CAD
The Raspberry Pi 3A+ is the newest release in the ” A+ Form Factor” from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. The “A+ Form Factor” is a minimalist version of the standard Raspberry Pi and has most of the same features crammed into a smaller footprint. This version is based on the previous 3B+ and features the same 64-bit 1.4 GHz quad-core processor, dual-band WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.3/BLE. To cut down on power consumption and overall size, the Ethernet and 3 USB ports have been removed, and the RAM has also been slimmed to 512MB. This version fits all standard Raspberry Pi HATs!
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Raspberry Pi WeatherHAT PRO – Assembled
Price: $39.95 CAD
This version of the Raspberry Pi WeatherHAT PRO ships pre-assembled with no soldering required – the easiest way to get started monitoring the weather with the Raspberry Pi! This board monitors Temperature, Humidity, Barometric Pressure, and provides an easy way to connect our Weather Meters without any soldering!
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Bus Pirate v3.6a
Price: $39.95 CAD
The Bus Pirate v3.6a is a troubleshooting tool that communicates between a PC and any embedded device over 1-wire, 2-wire, 3-wire, UART, I2C, SPI, and HD44780 LCD protocols. Working with the Bus Pirate is simple and effective – type commands into a terminal on your computer, those commands are interpreted by the Bus Pirate and sent via the proper protocol. The Pirate will also interpret data sent from your embedded device back to your computer terminal.
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Raspberry Pi Zero Starter Kit – V1.3
Price: $31.95 CAD
The Raspberry Pi Zero Starter Kit is based on the V1.3 of the Raspberry Pi Zero and includes all the little pieces you need to get it up and running – just add a microSD card and a small power supply and you are ready to go! This kit is perfect for small projects where WiFi isn’t required.
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Adjustable 30W 110V Soldering Iron
Price: $37.95 CAD
Arguably, this is one of the best “pen style” irons out there. This iron is a great choice for beginners and experienced alike, and will handle most light – medium duty soldering. It features replaceable tips, an LED power indicator, and even a decent heat up / recovery time. The most notable feature is the adjustable temperature – you can set the iron temperature (roughly) between 500°F and 800°F (250°C to 450°C), a closed loop temperature control regulates the temperature of the tip.
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BBC micro:bit Go Bundle V2
Price: $28.95 CAD
The BBC micro:bit V2 is a pocket-sized computer designed for anyone with an interest in electronics and coding. We expect these to start shipping Late November. No experience required! The micro:bit makes getting into these challenging fields as easy as possible with drag and drop code, excellent guided projects, and a ton of built in capabilities. Windows, Android, and iOS compatible. Accessories, expansion boards, and advanced features allow this board to continue to be engaging well beyond beginners projects. Kit includes programming cable, battery pack and batteries!
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Digital Multimeter – Model 9205B+
Price: $25.95 CAD
This massive multimeter has everything but the kitchen sink included. It’s a great addition to any work bench or tool box. It’s low cost, simple to use, and has a big clear display with all the measurements you need and more! The 9205B+ includes basic test leads and can measure AC/DC Voltage, Current (from 2mA range up to 20A range in both AC and DC), Resistance, and Capacitance. It also features a Beeping continuity test, diode test for measuring voltage (and lighting up LEDs), and Transistor hFE testing (Beta).
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SparkFun Third Hand Kit
Price: $48.95 CAD
Looking for something a little more deluxe than a standard Third Hand? The SparkFun Third Hand Kit is a deluxe work aid that can help hold multiple items in place, leaving your hands free for other tasks. It features two very flexible arms (can be expanded to have up to 6 arms) and a solid aluminum mounting base. Ideal for soldering and other tasks where an extra hand (or two) is needed!
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Circuit Playground Express
Price: $35.95 CAD
Circuit Playground Express is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics, programming, and wearables. Adafruit has taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! With bright LEDs and built in sensors, this board is packed with features. It is also Microsoft MakeCode, Javascript, Circuit Python, and Arduino compatible – so, from beginners to experts, Circuit Playground Express has something for everyone.
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Arduino Uno R3
Price: $34.95 CAD
When someone asks for an Arduino for Christmas – odds are, this is the one! The Arduino Uno is one of the best known microcontrollers on the planet. The Uno is a versatile, easy to use, programmable brain for your electronic projects. It is great for grabbing data from sensors or other inputs and using that data to drive motors, displays, or other outputs.
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Official Raspberry Pi Keyboard – Red and White
Price: $31.95 CAD
Looking for an interesting accessory for the Raspberry Pi user in your life? The Raspberry Pi Official Keyboard is a standard, wired, USB keyboard compatible with the Raspberry Pi (and anything else that accepts USB keyboards!). It is a full US layout QWERTY keyboard and features an integrated 3 port USB 2.0 Hub. Includes detachable USB cable to connect it to your Pi.
Terminal Crimper – JST PH / SH / SHL / ZH
Price: $39.95 CAD
Good tools always make great gifts! These Terminal Crimpers are capable of crimping very small 0.25 – 1.5mm crimp pins and 28-20 AWG wires together. They work with JST PH / SH / SHL / ZH, Molex 2600, and reasonably well with most other small square crimp on connectors.
Software Defined Radio Receiver – RTL2832 with R820T
Price: $34.95 CAD
Have you ever wondered what radio signals are wandering through the air around you? This software defined radio (SDR) is an excellent introduction to SDRs. It is equipped with an RTL2832U and R820T tuner and is capable of listening in on signals between 24MHz and 1850MHz.
SparkFun Benchtop Power Board Kit
Price: $29.95 CAD
The benchtop power board is an easy to assemble soldering kit that allows you to build your own power breakout board for your workbench. This board plugs into any standard ATX power supply. After assembling the kit you’ll have access to four different voltages (3.3V, 5V, 12V and -12V) each with their own replaceable 5A fuse.
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Pro’s Kit Electrical Tool Kit – 12 Pcs
Price: $29.95 $20.00 CAD
This 12 piece toolkit is ideal for basic electrical repair and maintenance. The kit contains a cable splicing knife, snipe nose pliers, side cutters, fine tip tweezers, and a screwdriver handle with 6 interchangeable tips. All of this fits neatly into a zippered carrying case.
Raspberry Pi Camera V2 – Standard
Price: $44.95 CAD
The Raspberry Pi Camera is an easy to use plug-and-play camera for the Raspberry Pi. It is compatible with all versions of the Pi (although it does require a special cable for the Pi Zero). The camera is an excellent first add-on for the Pi and is well supported with example projects and tutorials.
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Raspberry Pi Camera V2 – NoIR
Price: $44.95 CAD
The Raspberry Pi NoIR Camera is a special version of the Raspberry Pi camera. This version can see into the infrared spectrum and is ideally suited for DIY security cameras, wildlife monitoring, and other projects where the traditional IR filter in a camera is unwanted. It is compatible with all versions of the Pi (although it does require a special cable for the Pi Zero). The camera is an excellent first add-on for the Pi and is well supported with example projects and tutorials.
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micro:bit Experiment Kit
Price: $42.95 CAD
Maybe you have a BBC micro:bit and are wondering what to do with it next? This kit is collection of components commonly used with the micro:bit and it will keep you experimenting with the micro:bit and electronic circuits! Sense light, read the temperature; and use potentiometers, pushbuttons, and slide switches as inputs. Light up LEDs, drive motors, generate sound, work with transistors, and more!
Hakko CHP Wire Strippers – 20-30 AWG
Price: $25.95 CAD
These are extremely handy and comfortable to use wire strippers from Hakko. These are an essential part to any hacker’s arsenal and are able to strip 30AWG wire wrap wire nicely as well as the standard 22AWG hook up wire. Like all other Hakko CHP products, these will last for quite a while!
Gift Certificate – 50
Price: $50.00 CAD
Not sure what that tinkerer in your life needs? A BC Robotics Gift Certificate lets them choose exactly what they need to complete their next project! These digital gift certificates are sent via email and can be printed – no need to worry about shipping times!
Gift Certificates do not expire.
Gift Certificates do not expire.