Elenco 130-in-1 Electronic Playground and Learning Center

This kit is a very good tool for learning a bit about electronic circuits and construction. The projects are simple enough and most of them will hold the interest of a pre-teen or young teenager. The kids can start out with something as simple as a car siren and electronic organ or continuity tester and as they develop more skill they can go into something more advanced like the AM radio or logic circuits. The construction of the kit is a little cheesy with a not-too-sturdy cardboard chassis, but it's adequate enough since the projects are not meant to be permanent. Component connections are made by slipping wires and leads into spring connectors and this works just fine. The instruction book leaves a little to be desired. It would be nice if they had more explanation and simple theory but as a "starter" to provoke a child's interest in electronics and electricity this is a very good deal. Also, do not think this is for boys only. Young girls will enjoy getting involved with this. Just ask some of them in my family! Because the description doesn't list the projects in this kit, here they are in no particular order: Electronic Woodpecker, Transistor-Transistor Logic Buffer Gate, Electronic Organ, Study Timer, The Chirping Bird, TTL Inverter Gate, Daylight Early Bird, Kitchen Timer, Electronic Cat, TTL AND Gate, Intermittent Alarm Generator, Three-Input AND Gate Using Operational Amplifier, Sonic Fish caller, TTL OR Gate, Comparator, Voice Level Meter, Machine Gun Pulse Oscillator, TTL Exclusive OR Gate, Basic Increase in DC Voltage, Power-On Reset Circuit, Electronic Motorcycle, TTL NOR Gate, Constant -Current Source, Delayed Timer, Two-Tone Patrol Car Siren, TTL Three-Input AND Gate, Integrating Circuit, Pulse Frequency Doubler, Electronic Siren, TTL AND Enable Circuit, Schmitt Trigger Circuit, White Noise Generator, Electronic Metronome, TTL OR Enable Circuit, Noninverting Two-Power Supply Amplifier, DC-DC Converter with Op- Amp, Electronic Grandfather Clock, TTL NAND Enable Circuit, Inverting Two-Power Supply Amplifier, Code Practice Oscillator with ToneControl, Light-Controlled Electronic Harp, TTL R-S Flip-Flop, No inverting Single-Power Supply Amplifier, Crystal Set Radio (Simple-Diode Radio), Horror Movie Sound Effects, NAND Gate Toggle Flip-Flop Circuit, Two-Power Supply Differential Amplifier, Two-Transistor Radio, Strobe Light, TTL Line Selector, Tone Mixing Amplifier , Wireless Code Transmitter, Rapid LED Display Switching, TTL Data Selector, Power Amplifier Using Operational Amplifier, Am Radio Station, Capacitor Discharge/High Voltage Generator, TTL Astable Multivibrator, Voltage Controlled Oscillator Circuit, Operational Amplifier Radio, Capacitors in Series and Parallel, TTL Tone Generator, Operational Amplifier Buzzer, Aural Continuity Tester, Resistors in Series and Parallel, Winking LEDs, Burglar Alarm, Conductivity Tester, Light Dimmer, A One-Shot TTL, Hand-Operated Sweep Oscillator, Transistor Checker, Transistor Switcher, Transistor Timer with TTL, Falling Bomb Sound, Sine wave Audio Oscillator, Transistor Circuit Action, Buzzin' LED, Emergency Siren, Low Distortion Sinewave Oscillator, Sound Amplifier, Son of Buzzin' LED, First Aid Siren, Twin-T Audio Oscillator, Flip-Flop Multivibrator with LED Display, Set/Reset Buzzer, Musical Tempo Generator , Pulse Oscillator Tone Generator, Seven-Segment LED, Digital Circuit, Set/Reset Buzzer, Operational Amplifier Winking LED , Audio Signal Tracer, Basic LED Display, Sound Machine, LED Flashing Light, Radio Frequency Signal Tracer, Transistor Control Switching of LED Display, Big Mouth, Two-LED Winker, Square Wave Audio Oscillator, Transistor, CDS Cell and LED Display Circuit, Shot in the Dark, One Shot Light, Sawtooth Wave Oscillator, Diode-Transistor Logic AND with LED Display, Variable R-C Oscillator, LED Initials, Rain Detector, DTL OR Circuit with LED Display, Oscillator with Turn-Off Delay, Wake Up Siren, Water Level Buzzer with Op-Amp, DTL NAND Circuit with LED Display, Temperature-Sensitive Audio Oscillator, Voice-Activated LED, Metal Detector, DTL Exclusive OR Circuit, Two-Transistor, Directly Connected Oscillator, Logic Tester, Water Level Alarm, Transistor NOR Circuit with LED Display, Push/Pull Square Wave Oscillator, Alternating Current Sound, Three-Step Water Level Indicator, Transistor Flip-Flop Circuit, Pencil Lead Organ, Light Control Sound Circuit, Transistor Toggle Flip-Flop, LED Strobe Light, Sound Alarm Circuit. Phew!

The recommended age for this product is 12 and up, but a bright younger kid could certainly do these projects, in fact I am sure our son probably could have managed it when he was 8. I see some folks don't like that it is essentially a series of components wired together in a cardboard board, but to my mind this is not a bug, but a feature. It is well made, and will last forever if the kid takes care of it. The day my son got it, he did half a dozen projects, then neatly put everything away without being asked to do so. That's how cool this is to a nerdy kid. Technically, this is a good introduction to electronic devices. Every project includes a wiring diagram and idiot-proof step-by-step instructions. Honestly, I wish my son actually needed my help more, but it's very straightforward, with simpler projects in the front of the manual and more complicated projects in the back, so the child can be challenged as skills develop. I know Elenco is known mainly for the hit snap circuit products, but to my mind this is a better introduction to electronic components. Everything you need is there, and the instructions are detailed, but the manual encourages experimentation. I suppose it may be possible to blow out some of the components, but the set as a whole world still be functional. I would recommend this to any kid interested in electronics. It is a great way to learn the basics of wiring, current, etc. A multimeter would be a handy accessory, but it really is complete. The quality of the product is very good, and I know my son will enjoy completing all the projects.

Like many others I owned the original Radio Shack version of this 130-in-1 electronics kit decades ago. True, this Elenco version isn't very sturdy. It's light and flimsy. But the overall layout, components, and experiments you can wire together are about the same. The 159-page real paper manual that comes with it is a plus (the PDF is also available for download from Elenco's web site). Each experiment has an overview, a schematic, and wiring connection-by-numbers instructions. Many useful and educational analog circuit designs are included (plus one digital gate logic IC). No microprocessor, computer, smart phone, or software updates required. Yea!!! OK, now the quality issues. The first experiments I correctly wired together didn't work at all. I installed two different sets of 6AA batteries (Amazon Rechargeable then Duracell Alkaline). Still nothing. I returned the first one back to Amazon, got a replacement the next day. Both had the same problem. Both had a sticker with Date Code 0119. Hmmmm, manufactured the same day, same problem. I did some basic troubleshooting to try to figure out the problem. It turns out the design or manufacture of the battery holder is defective. There is a gap of about 1mm between the + side of each battery and terminals in the holder. Two small plastic tabs at that location prevented the battery connection from being made. My "fix" was to jam a wadded up piece of copper tape to fill the gap at each of the 6 positive battery terminals to complete the battery circuit (aluminum foil would work fine too). Hopefully Elenco will crack the whip at the Chinese factory to fix this, or they'll see a lot of returns for this very simple and silly defect. Check recent reviews to see if the problem has been fixed in newer batches from the factory. If you don't have a voltmeter, you can construct a simple circuit to see if power from the batteries is making it to the front panel. Install the batteries and try lighting up the decimal point of the digital display by connecting: 25-121,24-119 or 25-124,24-122 Most of the experiments I've tried so far worked. But the AM radio receiver circuits are iffy. The only one I could make work was #113: Two-Transistor Radio. I used the supplied long green wire raised up high as the antenna. The signal levels seem too low to work for #112: Crystal Set Radio and #109: Operational Amplifier AM Radio. Quality issues aside, I'm keeping it. I'm having too much fun with it. And I have great respect for the designers who created the original analog circuits that can be recreated using this kit.

Note: An inexpensive oscilloscope like this can ad a lot to your ability to analyze what's happening with audio and digital signals produced with projects in this equipment: https://www.amazon.com/AUTOUTLET-Assembled-Oscilloscope-Digital-Acrylic/dp/B07BSKL44Z/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1534142669&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=oscilloscope&psc=1#feature-bullets-btf I'm a 68 year old who has been an amateur radio "Advanced" licensee since 1970. I bought this as a fun way of experimenting with electronic circuits, and I'm pleased with it. The spring clips and wires make it easy to connect up circuits, and to tear them down and start on another project. So it's quite flexible. Pre teens and unskilled parents will probably make do with point to point wiring and being satisfied just to get a project working, which is fine. Teen agers can begin to understand electronic theory and how circuits actually work. The instruction manual quite often doesn't go into as much detail into how the circuits operate as might be desired. On the other hand, suggestions are made to modify parts and to figure out how those changes affect the operation of the circuit ----such as the pitch of an oscillator for example. an interested teenager should be able to start to understand how the circuit works by figuring out how those modifications cause changes. Having a multimeter to measure voltages and current flow is a plus, and allows new people to get experience inn how that very useful tool works in understanding electronics. I have the advantage of having an oscilloscope, which allows me to examine the performance of circuits in far greater detail. This is just the kind of equipment that can allow teen agers to follow a program of self education in electronics. Ihad a cousin who followed that kind of self learning, and he got an amateur radio license and an electrical engineering degree and worked for IBM for forty plus years before they laid him off in a "reorganization." (And then hired him back as a contract worker for lower pay.) In my own case, I completed the Advance Class amateur radio license and worked as a furnace repairman for much of my adult life. Perhaps a great way to wean teen agers off video games?

This electronics learning kit I a wonderful value for the price; It is much like a kit I used back in the late1960s sold by radio Shack called a 150 in one for all the different circuits you can construct with the kit. This kit will apparently let you build 130 projects. All you need is included in a well laid-out panel, including electronic components, re-useable wiring and an excellent, well written instruction book. My kit back when I was a kid became the start of a life-long passion for electronics and technology and eventually a college degree in Engineering, and a happy career in technology.Get one for yourself and one or a few for the bright, promising kids you know of you will be glad you did.

First things first..... I ordered this item through Amazon and not one of their 3rd party sellers. I received what was clearly a used and defective item. The silica pack was busted open and I could tell an attempt was made to tape it back together. There were silica pellets in every nook and cranny of the box, the unit, and even inside the unit. The original circle tape seals on the box were cut and the box was re-taped with packaging tape. The top of the unit is made of cardboard (more about that in a minute) and it looked like a cat used it for a chew toy. It was covered in scratches and small holes. I tested it anyway and while it did work, the speaker volume seemed low to me (hardly audible). The volume was not adjustable on the project I did. This was bought as a gift for my son's birthday and this is the second time I have purchased a gift from Amazon that was clearly a used item. I am returning it to Amazon and happened to find one (brand new and sealed) at a store on clearance for $19.99! The speaker on this one with the same project was much louder. Okay, so on with the review of the item. I had one of these as a kid and it was probably the coolest thing my parents ever bought me. I loved it! The one I had was made of much better materials than this one. When I was talking to my 9 year old son about it, he said he wanted one for his birthday. My son loves using it. The manual is informative, easy to follow, and gives some basic information about the components. The projects are fun and easy to do. Now for the negative.....The build quality! Ok, I can understand something being cheaply made, but come on? This is probably the poorest build quality I have seen on any product. The sides are made of thin plastic and the top is made of cardboard. The worst is the bottom of the unit. Extremely paper thin piece of cardboard held on (sort of) with scotch tape! My son will be using this until it falls apart which probably won't be too long, at which point I will buy a better quality one.

A wonderful little kit and a must have for child that is interested in electronics.

There are several kinds of electronic learning kits out there. The "Snap Circuits" are too simple, and confine understanding to manipulating black boxes. At the other end, I tried a 300 in 1 kit from another manufacturer that was too advanced to use alone--one needs an instructor in the hands-on skills required even to start to use it. Then there is the boxes of parts and soldering iron approach. But the best approach I have seen is this kind of design--the spring grip connectors remove the need for soldering irons so it is easy to assemble and disassemble projects. It also makes the kit safe for younger learners (or clumsy ones.) You can start as simply as "paint by numbers" and get fairly advanced. Many of the circuits are for entertainment rather than learning, and that is fine--the best instructional kit of this type I have seen, in terms of learning electronics, was also fairly dull. This kit has a good mix, and ranges from basic components up to a couple of small integrated circuits. The only thing missing is a meter. To be fair, the manual says early on that getting a multimeter will make a big difference in understanding, and it does. There is a world more possible to understand when one can see the voltages. In the manual, the only thing really missing is a better description of the function of a transistor. Resistors and capacitors and batteries are easy; diodes can be understood as a "one way street" for electrons--but no kit or manual I have ever seen gives a good description of the transistor in terms of operation--"when you put this many volts here you get this much current there." I have bought several kits, and this is the one I use and teach with. I am very happy with this product overall.

This is a good hobby kit for children (or adults). Does not feel very rugged. Does come with an instruction manual, but detail understanding of the design is not covered. However it is still a good kit for experimenting.

Very fast delivery. Works perfectly. Good tools to learn basic electronic. Thank you very much.

I really enjoyed using this project kit. My brother had many of these when we were young, and he ended up becoming an electronics engineer. I wanted it for the 80s flashback, and to try to understand electronic circuit design in a way I was never able to when I was younger like my brother could. It's nice to see that quality products aren't dead.

Estaba entre Snap Circuits y este Kit electrónico. Vi una reseña y compré este Kit porque lo recomendaba para afianzar conceptos de electrónica, pero mi hijo quedó desilusionado de la calidad de la construcción de este Kit. Todo está hecho de cartón a excepción de las conexiones y cables. Vi reseñas que lo mencionaban, pero no pensé que sería tan grave. Pues si está muy endeble y frágil. La parte de abajo está pegada con cinta adhesiva. Se me hizo muy caro para un juguete con una construcción tan barata y frágil. De cualquier manera mi hijo ha estado jugando con él y me gusta la idea de que sí viene la explicación de los conceptos de electrónica.

It kind of fragile most things of Elenco are. It before lasted 2 to 2.5 years with min use. It teaches a lot of electronics and digital circuits. I am testing components with a Pocket Oscilloscope now! I enjoy the radio circuits and Oscillation projects. Many of the IC components cannot go above 500-800 Herts with the Oscilloscope. If you want to get a pocket oscilloscope for testing voltage RMS times 0.717 to get volts and frequency. Yes, 60 dollars normally 75 is very expensive. I hope it lasted longer than 2 years. Oh, by the way, Elenco has a bad track record if something pronto goes wrong too. Other than that it is a good product. It teases the brain and helps build the learning process - puzzles with electronics! The Radio projects 3 radio and 1 AM broadcaster is interesting for the 130 in 1 I wish their were more of them tho!