Arduino and electronics hobby help?

Question

I used to do small electronics hobby kits as a kid. Mostly solderless bread boards from radio shack sometimes wired up to other things. I want to get back into the hobby but don't want to start out on another silly radio shack kit. Do you think an Arduino would be a worth while purchase? Would I be in over my head? What kind of projects are available, and are the instructions easy to follow? any other info you have would be helpful

Thank you internet.

Answer 1

In short, the Arduino itself doesn't have any projects, it is only a AVR with a built in power supply, crystal, and standard input connectors. But it is more than that. You are given a micro controller with a peripheral that you only need to program, no setting up a crystal and power supply and pcb. From what I have seen done with it, as well as what I have done with it, it is one of the best things you can buy. As for projects, there are a few step by step guides with source code, but that is not the idea of it. You are given a tool that can communicate with pretty much anything, be it an LCD screen, or a stepper motor driver, or even the internet. The idea is to do something you want done, and do it.