DLI Atomic Pi Full Developers Kit

Confession, at almost 66 I really enjoy the IoT Market and the Make Arena. I have a collection of Electronics that Include this remarkable Gem called the AtomicPi along with Raspberry Pi's, Arduino's, Adafruit Devices, MikroClik, and others. The AtomicPi Developers Kit at $110.00 +/- a buck, to me is a Real Value. With; 2 Micro Computers, a Fantastic Break-Out-Board, 2 Cameras, Antennas and Power Supply, a Great Gift for a Papa. I used the "Headline" A Unique Book of Puzzles not because it is difficult to use. The opposite. Digital Loggers goes to a Solid Effort to really Document the AtomicPi and it's Capabilities. The Puzzles are what "Your Imagination" Can Create for You with a little Trial and Error.The AtomicPi comes loaded with a GPIO for Input and Output control of Electronic Devices and Gadgets. A Gyro for Positioning and Location, along with other Output Sensors. Camera attachment for included cameras to do Video Capture and Streaming. The Linux Lite OS that is used comes with everything you need to get started using the AtomicPi as a stand alone small computer, or "Make A Deep Dive" into learning with your Grand kids into AI, Robotics, Outdoor Weather station, and so much more. Hence the tribute to Puzzles.For about $50 a Computer you have the Makings of a Great Little Micro Computer Lab. Digital Loggers has a User Forum Site setup, for Questions and Answers along with a Very Good GitHub Repository for Updates and Patches. With a Growing Base why Not Become a Member and Enter the Arena of IoT and Buy A Developers Kit.Please note that I have not been paid or received any consideration for this review. I just wanted to offer My Opinion that The AtomicPi Developers Kit is a Great Value, a Great Find, and a Great Way to spend a Winters Day Inside with your Grand Kids. And Teach and Learn. Personally, I learn more from My Grand Kids than One Could Ever Possibly Think!!A final note. I am not trying to "Say" or Claim that the AtomicPi is Faster, or Better, or More Robust than others. The Arena of Devices is a Gardener's Dream. As I mentioned my Desk, Workbench, and Shelves have a Plethora of Offerings. Each brings a Unique to Signature to My Learnings. Respectfully Robert M Tonkavich. Michigan.

In the attached photo, the Atomic Pi (APi) in the red case has the baby breakout board attached and the one in the grey case is attached to the large/full breakout board known as the Enchilada.I'm a Pi lover and have several of the Raspberry flavor. I bought the developers kit instead of just an APi and a breakout board for several reasons, mostly to figure out what projects to use them in and to have at least one of everything for the first project.My kit was delivered in the normal two days and included everything that was supposed to be there. They both worked flawlessly right out of the box. Period. Both of them will grab a wifi signal about 30 ft and one wall from the router without the included antennas attached. The installed operating system is a little wonky, but installing the updates on one and a fresh OS on the other (for practice) from Digital Loggers website went easily.The APi does not have a ton of manufacturer support. They are, after all, the brain units from a failed robot. There is a growing community on the Digital Loggers website forum and on Reddit.I have 3D printed cases for both versions of the breakout board, and there are other designs that are listed on both of the forums and on Thingiverse. i have added a 12v & 5V dual output power supply to the one with the Enchilada breakout board and use the power supply from the kit for the Baby board APi. Other than cheap keyboards and mice, small (cheap) portable hard drives for storage, I have also added a pair of speakers to the Enchilada. A USB 3.0 hub and a pair of $5.00 monitors from the local Goodwill store pretty much completes the two setups. If you use an High Definition but non HDMI monitor, you'll have to learn how and where to get sound output from the APi.There are currently 8 flavors of Linux that have been tested and work (some have HDMI sound issues), Windows 10 runs on it (but it can completely fill the 16 gb onboard emmc storage. At least one android variant and some other operating systems have also been tested.See what I mean? This is an excellent platform to learn with. Just learn something, ask questions, and repeat.

4 stars because the power supply failed. I was using this for about a week when I noticed the power supply extremely hot. Taking it apart, I found the two output caps failed. Replacing them fixed it, but most people wouldn't be able to do this repair. I have no problem with the rest of the kit. I was actually impressed with the large breakout board - it is great for those that want to use this to build custom circuits and integrate an arduino.

Don't beleve the web site, these are not a Kick Starter project, they are control boards purchased in bulk, at auction, from a defunct robot company. Once gone, they are gone as you could never manufacture them and sell them as this cost and make any money. The plus side is, you get a couple pretty cool single board computers for a really good price. BUT, don't expect the in depth how-to's or any near the support you get from FriendlyElec or Raspberry Pi, you need to know what you have and how to work with it. If you do, Party On!

Was really looking forward to developing on this. When I use a raspberry Pi, I have to recompile all my code to ARM. Not a big deal with today's tools, but can still be a pain for older or low-level code. With this, I would not need to do that. Theoretically, I can reuse compiled libraries from my desktop.Started off well, reasonable performance and easy to set up.Problem came after a couple of days when SBC would not power up. Checked all connections, power, etc. but no good.Tried the second SBC that I had not used yet. Nothing at all. No boot.Very disappointing. I am hoping that the manufacturer is just having problems keeping up with demand which seems to have outpaced the supply chain lately. Hopefully the will get their quality control sorted out soon.Back to the raspberry :-(