Review: Brick‘R‘knowledge – Learn everything from Ω to GHz

That’s debatable…

One can obviously do all of this on solderless breadboards, but the fragility of such circuits is such a source of hassle for beginners that it prevents them from concentrating on the essential: the working of the circuit. As for soldering components on to stripboard (much as it can be used for learning and even used on some of these blocks, as we have seen) it is very slow and unsuitable if the learners are reluctant to solder or are a bit clumsy. Before concluding, here are probably the two most convincing arguments for Brick‘R‘knowledge : formally they are outside the scope of this review, but their importance is decisive

When the Arduino gets in the mix

I did not have the best modules at my disposal for this review, but they are the ones that take this system to another dimension. Due to space restrictions I cannot talk about the modules for teaching photovoltaic techniques (Solar Set), but it is impossible not to mention the Arduino coding series of modules built around the Arduino Nano which further widen the horizons: 7 segment displays, OLED displays, D/A converter or the overpopulated world of sensors and actuators with interface I2C interface thanks to the module opposite.

Appropriate Arduino sketches are freely downloadable on the site, as well as manuals in German and English. Many examples are included, as well as videos.

There are 4 other series of blocks, recently introduced, especially for devotees of LEDs, lights and colours. Impossible to cover here, but suffice to say that we’ve come a long way from the modest beginner’s kit we were talking about at the start…and that’s not the end of the surprises!
 

With his radio-frequency MHz DIY and GHz DIY series modules, the designer, himself a radio amateur – guides us into a realm where one does not normally venture without biscuits.

And these biscuits, in the form of RF blocks and experimental cards (MHz and GHz), equipped in some cases , apart from the usual connectors, with types appropriate for their frequencies of operation (P-SMP, SMA, P-SMP). This characteristic of the Brick‘R‘knowledge collection is probably unique in the world, and will probably inspire some to work in the field!

QED

The view that Brick‘R‘knowledge opens on the world of embedded microcontroller, sensors, photovoltaics and RF – in short on modern electronics, places this system at to top, and gives it a guarantee of seriousness and reliability that inspires confidence for the future.

Don’t be surprised that price has not yet been mentioned. It’s not an oversight, it simply just passed unnoticed. But it compares favourably with those other plastic bricks that the whole world knows. So good luck with your Christmas gift budget!