Recommendation 👍👍👍 This is a good Kit for young scientists, with lots of sensors to include in projects. Its thoughfully put together and the storage box is a nice touch. However there are some issues with the instructions and the build process that could be improved. At $229.00 the kit is on the expensive side. Recommendation 👍👍👍 Overview Assembly Features Microsoft Makecode & Microbit Python Programming Languages Pros Cons Review Score Overview The Space Science Kit is a new micro:bit robot kit from Elecfreaks. It’s a great STEM robot kit for young scientists, with plenty of sensors to take readings from. It’s very easy to connect the sensors, and it leverages Microsoft Makecode for quick and straight forward programming. The kit has a nice design and good quality parts, with a good selection of sensors, motors and a display. The kit comes in a large plastic tub which is great for holding the parts and spares once the model is created. Assembly Takes around 2 hours to build the kit, there is a paper instruction manual included in the box which covers the Nezha breakout board v2 that is used to connect the electronics to the microbit (not included). The model build instructions can be found at: https://wiki.elecfreaks.com/en/micro-bit-space-science-kit. The kit is similar to a Lego Technics kit and does not require any special tools. Features The kit includes the following features: The Nezha breakout board v2, which is the motor and sensor controller Power Indicator Motor Reverse / Motor Forward Buttons Power Switch GPIO Interface Buzzer Motor Interfaces IIC Interface (for the sensors) USB C Charging Port 2 x 130rpm motors Sensors Colour Sensor Ultrasonic distance Sensor UV Light Sensor Temperature and Humidity Sensor Soil Moisture Sensor Two Channel Line Following Sensor Wifi Module Microsoft Makecode & Microbit Python Programming Languages The kit can be programmed using Microsoft Makecode or Microbit Python. The Makecode blocks are easy to use and the kit comes with a number of example programs to get you started. Pros A great STEM robot kit for young scientists Plenty of sensors to take readings from Very easy to connect the sensors Leverages Microsoft Makecode for easy programming Nice design, good use of colour and section of parts Good quality parts Good selection of sensors, motors and a display Cons Instructions a little bit confusing - the length of the axels was not clear (which meant I had to undo previously built parts) Some of the part colours were different than the instructions The instructions didn’t show the best way to wire up the motors and sensors There were 4 short and 4 long cables provided, but the robot has 9 motors and sensors, so it was a bit confusing 2 wheels were missing from the kit, which was disappointing Connecting up the sensors was tricky due to the placement, this could have been better designed to be included during contruction rather than once the model was built The bags were numbered, but the instructions didn’t build in the order of the bags On the box there are two little Minifig like characters, but they are not included in the kit Expensive at $229.00 To upload code the microbit needs to be removed from the robot in some models due to the placement of other parts Review Score Below is the Kevs Robots review framework. First, each product is scored out of 5 for each of the 9 areas. The total score is then calculated by adding the scores for each area and dividing by 9. The total score is then rounded to the nearest whole number. Scoring area 1 2 3 4 5 Price Very Expensive, verging on not worth it Expensive, but worth it for the value add Affordable, similar in price to competitors Cheap / great value for the parts and features Free / Very low cost Ease of use Hard to use, complex operations requiring multipe steps Many steps, some of which as complex. Some steps to construct or operate, some of which are complex Few steps, simple to do Very easy to use / use is obvious and clear Functionality Very little innovation or usefulness Does less then you’d expect, but still useful Practice, does what you expect but no more Quite a few innovative functions, does more than you’d expect Amazing features & innovation, industry leading Availability Very difficult to get hold of any variation or version Little available; some variations or versions are available Available in some countries and stocks mostly available Available in most countries & mostly in stock, short wait for stock replenishment All versions and variations widely available in all countries & in stock Aesthetics Design is not pleasing to the eye; poor colour choice, parts do not fit together, no cohesive design Design is acceptable, some elements do not work together well Design is functional, no overall cohesion Design is functional with some flair, most elements work together well Very pleasing to the eye, complimentary colour choices, great fit and finish, with an overall cohesive design Build Quality Poor construction, with gaps or overlapping parts. Poor quality materials used Functional construction, cheap materials Functional construction, acceptable materials used Durable design, some parts are high quality, most are acceptable Solid construction, parts fit together as intended with no unexpected gaps or overlapping parts. High quality materials and parts used Documentation Single language instructions, no diagrams, basic features only Basic instructions, technical specifications in a few languages, little no diagrams, no example code Basic instructions, technical specifications in a few languages, diagrams for use. Some example code Documentation available in multiple languages, with all features covered and diagrams for use. Some example code Documentation available in multiple languages, with all features covered and simple diagrams for use. Mechanical and circuit diagrams also included. Example code. Advanced topics covered too Packaging Little to no thought given to environment. Wasteful use of space leading to higher shipping costs. Excess layers of packaging Some thought given to environmental packaging & recycling. A few layers of packaging Some thought given to environmental packaging materials & recycling. Single layer of packaging Environmentally friendly, packaging designed for recycling with some effort. Packaging is has mostly efficient use of space to cut down on shipping costs Environmentally friendly, packaging designed for easy recycling. Packaging is small with efficient use of space to cut down on shipping costs Environmental No consideration given to sourcing, production, supply, delivery or disposal of product, with toxic chemicals used in production No consideration given to sourcing, production, supply, delivery or disposal of product Product is efficient to operate, but may have poor environmental production or disposal impacts Most of the product is sourced from recycled materials, no toxic chemicals used in production, some thought given to production and delivery energy used Product is sourced from 100% recycled materials, with no toxic chemicals used in production. produced with clean energy, packaging designed to lower delivery costs and disposal of product is taken care of total is 3.8 🎁 See the transparency notes for details.