The Elektor MultiCalculator Kit shows what a compact Arduino-based instrument can do on a real workbench. The device is sold as a kit, built around an Arduino Pro Mini. It’s a 22-function tool for electronics work and education rather than just a desk calculator.

Elektor MultiCalculator Kit Video Overview

What makes the Elektor MultiCalculator Kit interesting is that it lands in a sweet spot Elektor readers tend to appreciate: it is a usable bench accessory, but it is also a buildable project that exposes the hardware rather than hiding it, as shown below.
 


The kit offers 22 functions, including light and temperature measurement, differential temperature analysis, and NEC infrared remote decoding. That means it is not pretending to replace a serious bench DMM or oscilloscope; it is more like a pocket-sized electronics sidekick that you can reach for in a quick pinch.

Why the Elektor MultiCalculator Kit Is More Than a Calculator

For learners, the appeal is fairly obvious. A plain calculator is a black box. This one is also a small embedded project, with through-hole assembly and a microcontroller at the center, so it can pull double duty as a practical tool and a way to get more comfortable with building hardware. That also helps explain why Elektor has positioned it as useful both for projects and for education. An earlier hands-on review elsewhere noted the broader hacker appeal of this style of device, especially as a platform that invites modification rather than passive use. The educational angle is quite clear, which is why this kind of gadget still catches the eye of bench tinkerers. 

Bench Utility With Maker Appeal

A physical project you can assemble, understand, and keep on the bench. For students, it is a neat way into embedded thinking. For hobbyists, it is a compact build with some actual utility. And for anyone who misses the era when useful gadgets still had visible guts, it has a bit more charm than tapping at a phone screen with solder dust on your fingers.