Regarding Canakit and ADVENTURES IN RASPBERRY PI" book

[wattle973]

I am hoping to gift "CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 Complete Starter Kit - 32 GB Edition" to 13 years old kid and also hoping to give this book along with the kit, "CARRIE ANNE PHILBIN’S ADVENTURES IN RASPBERRY PI". Just need to know whether the projects in this book can be done using components in above Canakit starter kit.

[MaxK1]

As far as I can tell, the Canakit only includes those items needed to get the pi up and running. It does not include things like switches, LED's, sensors, servo's, motors, etc. You may also want to add a keyboard and mouse. A very basic, wired keyboard and mouse will do if you don't happen to have a couple laying around. And you'll probably want a TV or monitor. Not absolutely essential, but nice to have: additional uSD card(s), USB "thumb drive(s)"., basic multimeter.

The book seems to go into software (Setting up and using the Pi, writing games, using Minecraft etc.) more than interfacing LED's and switches - Nothing wrong with that. There are numerous places that have kits/parts and tutorials (Videos, PDF's) as well as ideas for projects. My "goto" places for parts are the local surplus dealer, Microcenter, Adafruit.com Element14.com, MCM, Digikey. There are many more - Just depends on where you live. The Adafruit site has 300+ pi projects/tutorials/HOW-TO's/guides as well.

You don't mention where the kids interests lie so it's difficult to say what additional "stuff" will be needed beyond a couple of cheap LED's/switches. What IS essential is understanding what the Pi can and cannot do, basic electricity (The Pi is pretty robust -IF-handled properly, but it doesn't tolerate abuse well...) So don't go spending hundreds of $ on a robot kit if all the kid wants to do is play games...

[B.Goode]

A possible 'one stop' solution. Similar kits may be available from other retailers.

https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/adve ... ukebox-kit

https://thepihut.com/products/adafruit- ... spberry-pi

[MaxK1]

Ooops - forgot to mention The Magpi - Either subscription or downloadable. Lot's of good information and projects, programming examples/tutorials/projects.

[Paul Hutch]

It seems just about everywhere is sold out of the companion parts kit for the book with one exception:
https://chicagodist.com/products/compan ... spberry-pi

[B.Goode]

It seems just about everywhere is sold out of the companion parts kit for the book with one exception:
https://chicagodist.com/products/compan ... spberry-pi

That's 3 exceptions if you include the retailers I provided links for...

[Paul Hutch]

Doh! Thanks for correcting me.

I meant to write "It seems just about everywhere in North America is sold out", I figured since the OP referred to a NA retailer for the other stuff they'd prefer a NA retailer for the parts kit.

[wattle973]

With Raspbery PI 3, I need to buy complete pack with required other circuit components (breadboard , LEDs etc) and guide books. The kid prefer to learn both programming and electronic hardware as well.

If I am going to buy "CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 Complete Starter Kit - 32 GB Edition", what should I buy as other accessories and also guide book. I know there are a lot of online resources in internet. But, I prefer if there are any hardcover / e books.

If there are any better starter kit except Canakit, I would like to consider that as well.

Many thanks for all your previous replies.

[B.Goode]

You might want to consider the official Raspberry Pi Foundation Starter kit, which includes a copy of the Adventures... book. (But not the accessories associated with the book.)

Even if you don't want - or can't buy - the official kit, looking at the list of contents gives a pretty clear idea of what the Raspberry Pi Foundation consider essential.

https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/ten-mi ... i-new-kit/

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/processo ... ts/8968119

There is also a list of requirements on the Raspberry Pi Foundation website:

https://www.raspberrypi.org/learning/hardware-guide/

[Paul Hutch]

You might want to consider the official Raspberry Pi Foundation Starter kit, which includes a copy of the Adventures... book. (But not the accessories associated with the book.)

That kit is also available at the Canadian distributor CanaKit. https://www.canakit.com/official-raspbe ... r-kit.html

BTW I must admit to a second Doh! moment and give myself a dope slap . I thought the official starter kit was the one the OP was talking about, I should have read the OP more carefully. The OP is referring to this kit, https://www.canakit.com/raspberry-pi-3- ... e-kit.html and then adding the book.

Referring to the contents of the parts kits for the book and the parts that are in the CanaKit Ultimate, the CanaKit is missing the LCD display, 10 M/F jumpers, has three less push button switches and 12 extra M/M jumpers. So The ultimate CanKit does NOT have all the parts needed to do everything in the book.

Remembering how disappointed I was with a few less than complete kits I got as presents back int he 1960s I've spent a bit more time thinking about what I'd need to buy so that the kid can get started right away the day he gets the gift.

The choice I'd make depends on another factor, does the kid have a mouse and keyboard to use with the Pi3.

If the kid does not have a mouse and keyboard I'd buy:

• The official kit https://www.canakit.com/official-raspbe ... r-kit.html $112.00US
• The separate parts kit for the book projects https://chicagodist.com/products/compan ... spberry-pi $18.00US
  Total price $130US

If the kid has a mouse and keyboard I'd buy:

• The ultimate CanKit https://www.canakit.com/raspberry-pi-3- ... e-kit.html $90.00US
• The book https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Raspb ... b_title_bk $17.50US
• The separate parts kit for the book projects https://chicagodist.com/products/compan ... spberry-pi $18.00US
  Total $125.50

There is one final item to consider, a display.
Does the kid have an HDMI monitor to use with the Pi3. If not is there a composite monitor, unlikely but if yes then a Pi composite cable will be required.
With HDMI there is the potential that some serious tweaking of config.txt may be needed to get the monitor working with the Pi. I know I can do it but not everyone is up to that task.

In light of all this I strongly feel the safest bet for a complete ready to go solution as a gift is the $320.00US pi-top. https://pi-top.com/products/pi-top

[MaxK1]

Or instead of a TV (HDMI or composite) an HDMI -> VGA adapter if an old VGA monitor is handy. I got mine from either Adafruit or MCM and it worked with no problems.

[wattle973]

Can anybody recommend me books which have projects for CanaKIT (https://www.canakit.com/raspberry-pi-3- ... e-kit.html) and also PI-TOP.? I am happy to see starter to advanced user books as well. I have limited visibility about PI-TOP and it's capabilities for young learner.