The Shack® Blog – We Listened: Arduino Is Coming via DP.
A few months ago, we reached out to our community and asked what DIY parts and pieces you wished you could find at your local RadioShack store. We were overwhelmed with the response, and promised to bring in a top list of suggestions from you – including Arduino.
Today, we’re pleased to be able to tell you that the first batch of Arduino boards and shields have left the RadioShack distribution centers en route to our thousands of local stores. Now you can easily find a RadioShack store and get the parts you need to finish that awesome project, instead of having to order it online and wait.
We won’t just be carrying a single board, either – no way! Below is the full list of boards and shields that you can expect to find:
Microcontrollers:
- Arduino Uno REV 3 (2760128): This is the latest revision of the basic Arduino USB board. It connects to the computer with a standard USB cable and contains everything else you need to program and use the board. It can be extended with a variety of shields: custom daughter-boards with specific features.
- Arduino Mega 2560 REV3 (2760127): The version of the Mega released with the Uno, this version features the Atmega2560, which has twice the memory.
- Arduino Mega ADK (2760129): Based on the Mega 2560, this version has a USB host interface to connect with Android based phones.
Shields:
- Arduino Ethernet Shield Without PoE Module (2760130): The Arduino Ethernet Shield allows an Arduino board to connect to the internet.
- Arduino Motor Shield (2760131): This shield allows an Arduino board to control DC motors and read encoders.
- Arduino SD Shield (2760132): The SD Card Shield v2.1 for Arduino is a break out board for a standard SD Card. Now you can add mass storage and data logging to your project!
- Arduino Proto Shield (2760140): The Proto Shield Kit allows you to move your projects from a breadboard to an Arduino-compatible PCB. Included are a number of common components.
We also have a large assortment of Parallax boards and shields, as well as an awesome selection of other DIY parts, pieces, and tools. You probably already know where the closest RadioShack store is, but if not, you can use our handy RadioShack Store Locator.
Now that Arduino boards and shields are available at your local RadioShack store, what will YOU build with them? Check out the awesome projects that have been shared at the Great Create or share your own project.
Not one RS in my district carries the existing DIY stuff. What are the odds they will start carrying the Arduino? If I have to order items there are cheaper and easier places to do that.
None to be found in my neck of the woods either. I will believe it when I see it.
Last weekend I went to the one local RS store that was on the pilot list, and sure enough, they had a couple of Arduino getting-started kits on the pegboard.
No sign of any of the shields, though, and the sales staff was pretty clueless. There was one person on the floor who realized they had any Arduino stuff, and he was able to show me where it was… but other things they carry that you might want to use for an Arduino project (sensors etc.) we’re scattered all over the store, some in multiple locations, and nobody even knew they had most of it.
So while it will be great if this really does catch on — for those moments when it’s 7 pm and you think, “Dang, I need that Ethernet shield TONIGHT!” — it’s got a long way to go to become a primary source.
My local shack has the arduino uno starter kits (as of last week) but I didn’t know they were also getting megas and shields! They’ve actually priced the new parallax sensors well (I picked the new PIR one up last week). If they have competitive pricing on the shields/individual boards, I think they might just find themselves some business.