Tindie

Honestly, I wish I had thought of this idea. It's so simple and so good! I really love it, and it arrived in a very timely manner!

Albert | Nov. 14, 2019

Great little board to keep around

This is a great little board to keep around the shop, especially if you find yourself tinkering with a Pi frequently. The only thing I would say is to not use it on a key chain, as the PCB is fairly thin and I would be worried about it snapping if placed in pocket. But all and all, a great little reference tool!

Cristina | Oct. 17, 2019

Super cute and fast

I bought this kit because because I love holiday themed PCB kits and this was perfect. The kit itself is small but I think it’s well worth the $6 + shipping. I really appreciated the small instructions card, it was very straightforward and the directions were easy to understand. All in all a great kit to get into the Halloween spirit!

Richard | Dec. 30, 2018

A sound investment for STEM/STEAM classrooms!

For Flashlight kit

A sound investment for STEM/STEAM classes! The design, engineering, manufacturing, instructions, and packaging are absolutely first rate! And you can find necessary CR2032 batteries at bargain prices in dollar stores or online (as low as $0.30) at Radio Shack.

But if you are a technology teacher on a budget, you may have trouble rationalizing $6 per student for a keychain light kit when you can buy a flashlight (some with multiple LEDs) for a dollar at a neighborhood store!

The future of technology in America (and public school education in that direction) depends on more than gadgets at the lowest possible cost and hit-or-miss design and quality. So make economics (and international politics) part of your lesson plan! Apply some critical thinking to side-by-side comparisons of product design, component costs, manufacturing, user support, as well as the role of consumer feedback in the product development/improvement cycle.

And as a practical matter, you can get a great deal of classroom “mileage” out of a simple-to-assemble flashlight (or pumpkin light, et al.) by examining the components individually, assembling the project on a breadboard, practicing soldering, etc., etc.

And to add some thinking to multiple student intelligences and hands-on skills development of a “simple” classroom STEAM project, how, by the way, would you “program” an LED to dim, brighten, or flash out "SOS" automatically as does the commercially successful (and more expensive) USA-made "Photon Freedom Micro LED keychain flashlight"? And if you are interested in environmental or forensic sciences, could you modify your flashlight kit for ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR)?

Richard | Dec. 30, 2018

A sound investment for STEM/STEAM classrooms!

For Pumpkin soldering kit

A sound investment for STEM/STEAM classes! The design, engineering, manufacturing, instructions, and packaging are absolutely first rate! And you can find necessary CR2032 batteries at bargain prices in dollar stores or online (as low as $0.30) at Radio Shack.

But if you are a technology teacher on a budget, you may have trouble rationalizing $6 per student for a pumpkin light kit when you can buy functionally similar flickering “tea lights” – already made and including batteries – at two for a dollar at a neighborhood store.

The future of technology in America (and education in that direction) depends on more than gadgets at the lowest possible cost and hit-or-miss design and quality. So make economics (and international politics) part of your lesson plan! Apply some critical thinking to side-by-side comparisons of product design, component costs, manufacturing, user support, as well as the role of consumer feedback in the product development/improvement cycle.

And as a practical matter, you can get a great deal of classroom “mileage” out of a simple-to-assemble pumpkin light by examining the components individually, assembling the project on a breadboard, practicing soldering, etc., etc.

And to add some thinking to multiple student intelligences and hands-on skills development of a “simple” classroom STEAM project, how, by the way, would you “program” an LED to flicker convincingly like a candle flame? Or how might you "re-purpose" a Halloween pumpkin light for other seasons?

Dave | Dec. 7, 2018

Whimsical Snowman Guaranteed To Delight and FUN To Build!

I have built several of these kits over the years. The documentation is very easy to understand and follow, really a snap to put together. Battery life is Amazing as this little guy draws so little current. In fact we've got one at the house that still is on the original battery 3 years later. Of course, battery life depends upon how long you operate the snowman each time you turn it on. The easy to find CR2032 button cell is affordable when it comes time for replacement. I purchased 3 of these kits put together and give away to family and friends. There is a nice hole in the snowman and a hanging hook is included to display the little guy wherever you wish. You will have fun building it and if you give it away, it is sure to please.

One final step that I do after component soldering completion is to clean the residual solder flux from the white circuit board. This is optional as most rosin (flux) core solder sold today is organic and not caustic to the connections over time. If you do want to clean the board of residual flux, please consider this very simple method. Pour some common rubbing alcohol in a small disposable container. While wearing safety glasses to protect your eyes, dab a used toothbrush in the alcohol and brush away the flux. The white board cleans up nicely leaving glistening shiny solder joints.

Bailey | Jan. 3, 2018

Fantastic Kit, Fantastic Seller

We bought these as a part of our Snow Day event for our maker space. They were a hit. Just as easy as a commonly made robot pin, but with some personality and a touch of the season. Seller was responsive with my several questions before buying in bulk and I look forward to working with them again!

Matt | Dec. 19, 2017

Lots of Fun

My two boys and I built these to wear at our family Christmas party. The kits went together quickly and easily even though my kids have only a few soldering projects under their belts (we built the Low Voltage Labs pumpkin and ghost kits a few months ago). I'd highly recommend the snowman for any beginner.

Matt | Oct. 11, 2017

Quick and easy

I bought three kits for me and my kids. It was the first time soldering for both of them, but they were able to complete the kits on their own (with only a bit a help with the first component). I'm now on the lookout for more like it. Also, it arrived only two business days after ordering. I'm a sucker for fast shipping.

The kits don't come with any documentation, but I still gate it 5-stars since I think instructions are unnecessary and I should have been able to skip that part of the rating.

-MRN

Response from Low Voltage Labs | Oct. 12, 2017

Thanks for the review!
Future shipments of the kit include basic instructions and there is always the online documentation with photos here:
http://wiki.lowvoltagelabs.com/ghost_kit_build_instructions

- Eric

Timothy | Jan. 12, 2017

Good idea

This cheat sheet is a good idea. For my eyes, I would like to see a bit larger font. I bought extras for a friend as a gift and he thinks it's a great idea to be able to move the reference board to other Pi's.

Laurie | Dec. 16, 2016

great beginner kit

Fun kit with just enough difficulty to keep it interesting. My 11 year old daughter just completed one and we'll be making more as gifts.

Roberto | Dec. 6, 2016

First Time Soldering.

Really fun product to put together, when I first put the battery in I thought I've had put the switch on backwards but it was facing on already lol, but it was fun to put togeteher for my first time soldering.

Ovide | Sept. 27, 2016

Great Little Kit.

If you are trying to teach small kids soldering this kit is great. It takes less then 10 minutes for a novice to solder this project. Fits right in with their attention span. More experienced people will find it easy, but it makes a nice holiday decoration or necklace.

Ovide | Sept. 27, 2016

Love the Extra Decorations.

For Pumpkin soldering kit

If you are trying to teach small kids soldering this kit is great. It takes less then 10 minutes for a novice to solder this project. Fits right in with their attention span. The excitement is so infectious we made a Jack-O-Lantern early just to try it out. Love the little extra decorations on the back of this and the Ghost kit. Thank you!

Dave | Dec. 21, 2015

This is an easy to assemble fun kit that is sure to please.

I purchased 3 of these kits to adorn wrapped gifts. Rather than the traditional bow or ribbon, why not put a technological spin on gift presentation? I placed the finished snowmen below the gift tags. I used the included wire hanger to attach the snowman. The top of the hanger was then taped to the wrapping paper. I then placed the gift tag over the tape the secures the hanger on the package. The kit is fun and easy to build. These kits require a CR32 battery, not included. I placed 3 of these batteries in the zip lock bag that the kit originally was packaged in and included this with the wrapped gift. The fun and whimsical snowman lends a festive mood when viewed. The hanger makes the snowman ideal to hang just about anywhere and could easily be used as a holiday tree ornament or worn as a lapel pin.

David | Jan. 4, 2015

Great learning kit for kids

For Flashlight kit

My kids really seemed to enjoy seeing the different pieces, and how they worked together. The visible traces helped me explain how everything was connected inside the board. There were enough soldering points for them to get some practice, and only one of three got bored before they finished.

Sean | Dec. 23, 2014

My 12 year old made these for the grandparents

My son had previously completed a couple of simple soldering projects, and thought these would be a good way to show what he was learning to his grandparents. He was able to complete 4 of them with almost no help. Great little kit.

Don | Dec. 1, 2014

Good product, even better service

The reference board is a neat and useful little product at absolutely the right price. Even better was LVL's service - when I reached out about a shipping issue it was made more than right. I couldn't ask for more.

Harold | Oct. 23, 2014

Fun, quick build

This kit came quickly and the PCB looks great. I got this to do with my son as an intro to soldering and it worked well: he placed components and I soldered them.

One thing to watch for: the battery bracket came placed but not soldered. I didn't notice and didn't solder it. Tension held it in place so it worked, but later came off so I had to fire up the soldering iron again.

Response from Low Voltage Labs | Oct. 23, 2014

Thanks for the review!
I started installing the battery holders into the PCBs because they were putting holes in the bags. Great point that some people may miss soldering the battery holder. I will add a note to the instructions for future builders.

Michael | March 26, 2014

good starter kit, now just waiting for a tree to hang it on

My seven-year-old did this right after finishing a learn-to-solder kit (Elenco) and all I needed to do was tell him was that the orange LED was the nose, to bend one resistor to make a smile, and that it didn't matter which way the switch went in. Nice confidence-building kit that he'll be happy to hang on our next tree. Nicely done.

Ted | Jan. 21, 2014

quite interesting LEDs

For 10mm Yellow Flickering LED

I was surprised by these LEDs. They are not very bright, but they do the flickering thing and will be useful in projects. One thing to know is that they have focused output, sort of a circular beam. The larger package size (10mm) seems unrelated to brightness/output. These will be fun to work with.

Philip | Jan. 13, 2014

RGB Snowman kit.

The snowman kit is cute and simple to put together if you have a small tipped soldering iron. About the only downfall is the battery only lasted about 3 days.

Ernest | Dec. 30, 2013

spectacular

For 10mm Yellow Flickering LED

I ordered 20 of the yellow flickering leds and connected them to an led christmas string (voltage controlled) and they work spectacular. I now have them on top of a cabnet in the living room and project them onto the roof for a very relaxing "fire place" like reflection. ... they seem to do true randomness and as best I can tell they go thru a multi-step flickering. they really look like candle flicker. I am very pleased with my purchase and will purchase more in the near future.

Anthony | Dec. 27, 2013

Fun kit for the holidays

Fun to share as a gift--soldered or not. The pads are far enough apart that this could function as a first soldering experience for a young person. Thanks!

Patrick | Dec. 17, 2013

Awesome product!

For 10mm Yellow Flickering LED

Never thought I'd be buying some flickering led but now I have lots of nice project for Christmas they will be awesome on my three, also plan on making a little flame less candle :)

Kenneth | Nov. 5, 2013

The perfect low-cost introduction to soldering!

I had my daughter solder this to give to a friend. It is a simple, well designed circuit that was easy to assemble. Now all you need is a Packman to chase! Review Image

Jay | Oct. 8, 2013

Great!