Alex was kind enough to send me one of these kits but I’m free to say what I like.
This kit is all about learning how to display data onto an LCD screen from analog temperature sensors.
The basic kit contains the following:
- a 20×4 LCD with blue backlight and pre-soldered I2C backpack
- 2 x TMP36 analog temperature sensors
- 1 two-way female header
- 1 four-way female header
- 20 10cm M-F jumper wires
Quality
This LCD screen is just gorgeous. I’ve had plenty of experience with such screens in the past, both the two-line version and also the four-line version such as the display featured here. I can honestly say that this display is the nicest one I’ve got. It’s bright, colourful and clear. Alex and his team are quality-checking every single display to make sure they work and also to adjust the screen contrast via the potentiometer on the backpack. This means that you’re guaranteed to have a) a working display and b) a display that shows text clearly. This may seem like a small thing but, again from experience, these displays can be finnicky when it comes to working at all, so it’s nice to have that reassurance.
The rest of the components are good quality as you might expect.
Assembly
Everything comes pre-soldered except the headers that you need to attach to your RasPiO Duino board. Of course, in order to have used the Duino for the original tutorial Alex supplied you will already have soldered headers, so this ought to be a fairly easy job, as it was for me.
User experience and documentation
One of the things that I particularly liked about the original RasPiO Duino release was the extensive documentation that came with it. It showed you how to assemble it, get the software set-up and do experiments with the board. It was clearly written, and comprehensive, and showed just what was possible using the Duino. I’m happy to say that Alex has taken the time to write up the LCD kit in a similar fashion. The instructions are again clear and comprehensive and include everything you need to both download and install the software and, vitally, understand what the code does. You can see this new documentation here.
Re-use and extensability
One of the other good things about the LCD display included in the kit is that it can be used with the Raspberry Pi without the Duino board. I use a similar one in my Picorder. The I2C backpack means that you’ll only be using two data connections from the Pi to the display (plus 5V and ground). Very good to have a component with dual purpose like this.
You could also further extend the use of the kit by using longer wires (and some insulating tape) to connect one of the temperature sensors up. This would allow you to perhaps place a sensor outside, allowing you to measure inside and outside temperature simultaneously, or to measure the temperature of two rooms.
Price
The kit costs £22 including shipping to anywhere in the world. You can buy the kit plus the RasPiO Duino itself for £32.
Overall
As you can see from the photograph at the top of the post, I put this kit together, followed the instructions and soon had my very own temperature monitor. It is now ready for deployment as an Internet of Things device anywhere I want to put it. The inclusion of two temperature sensors gives you a) a backup in case one of the sensors fails; b) the ability to take two readings that you can average across and c) (as remarked on above) the ability to add longer wires and take temperature readings from two locations. Adding a wi-fi dongle to the mix means that the data from the sensors is available remotely, while the LCD lets you see the data locally. It’s a very well-rounded package.
Some people might raise an eyebrow at the price, but this is a premium product, guaranteed to work and quality-controlled before it ever reaches you. The documentation cannot be brushed aside either as it is detailed, clear and really adds a lot of value to the kit.
Alex has clearly spent a great deal of time on this kit and documentation, getting it right and making sure that, provided you follow the instructions, it works first time. Plus it adds value to the Duino board that you’ve probably already got and gives you something else to do with it.
Thoroughly recommended.