SAM Labs Science Museum Inventor Kit - Learn & Invent with this STEM Starter Kit - Build and Program inventions

This was a good idea somewhere far back, but then too many marketers got hold of it, I think. I think it's garbage.Firstly, the URL given on the box was incorrect, I had to find the website using search. Okay, no biggie. Then I had to hunt around on the website (yep, marketers again!) to find the link for the "app" (alert: we're trying to sound cool here). Okay, did that. Installed the software, which includes the bluetooth driver for their little USB dongle.The first thing the application does is ask you to create an online profile. Wait a minute. Isn't this supposed to be for 7+ year old kids? What if I don't feel comfortable with putting them online with an app from some obscure company with no track record, no security history, no statement about safeguarding kids, and so on? Tough, they have to be online (remember those marketers?).I would have stopped right here, but I got the product in order to evaluate and write a review. So I plod along bravely (using one of my email addresses). I'm presented with a user interface clearly not designed for the use of a young person. Heck, I have decades in the software industry, and I'm having trouble figuring out how to connect and use the modules, I'm not seeing icons for them anywhere on the screen. One of the prompts says "turn on your modules" (or something like that), but I'm not quite sure what this means -- plug them in? Pair them on bluetooth? How exactly?Finally I notice that the "Inventor Kit" needs a code to be entered. So I find the code on the box, and enter it. Fail. Try again. Fail. Upper case? Lower case? Letter O instead of zero? Nope, just flat doesn't work.I suspect that with some diligent effort I could figure out how to make this nonsense work. But it's just not worth it, I already know enough about how poorly designed this stuff is.Good idea, but poorly executed. I can't recommend this product.

This set could be 5 stars if not for a few issues. I am really hopeful that the company will solve some of the problems that hold this item back from being fantastic.Let's start with what I like.1) the concept is great2) the you tube videos are inspiring3) the app was easy to install on my Ipad4) I was able to turn on all the devices and have them recognized by my Ipad.Now onto the frustration1) There are absolutely no directions aside from those that are printed on the outside of the box and here they are Step 1 download the free app from their website Step 2 fire-up the building blocks Step 3 connect the block by connecting the dots2) Each block takes a few hours to charge...at least mine did3) You do not get full functionality with the Ipad app4) You do not get the 5 step-by-step activities if you are using the Ipad app5) If you try to install the regular app to your computer, it will quarantine it as a virus6) If you decide to be creative and just use their website to get the info you need, you will only find videos of the cool things they made and cannot easily determine which were built by the set you have7) There are no step by step pictorial guides to do any of the builds.8) Supposedly those step by step guides are imbedded in the computer app...that I could not get to work since my computer decided it was virus9) I contacted the company and they said they are still working out things with the app and directed me the website that I had already scoured.So given all this information, my suggestion would be for the company to have guides that are sortable by the kit you have, so you don't have to watch each video to figure out which pieces it uses only to find out you don't have what is needed to do that great project. I also think the Ipad app should provide a list of projects based upon the pieces that are connected and then guide you through the set up and build with simple to understand tutorials. I just think the lack of directions makes this kit so much more frustrating than fun.However, it really is an amazing product with a lot of potential and I am hopeful that they will continue to work on the their delivery of information so that it can be more user friendly out of the box. If you are already familiar with these types of products, or are an engineer, then you might find it more intuitive than I did.

pretty packaging, sounds nice but nothing worked. The app seemed easy to use on iPhone, iPad and PC at first but the hover / info was sparse and useless. Detecting the devices was spotty, and the charge out of the box was five minutes if at all. The USB connector broke off on one of the items. Pretty disappointing.

This is a akin to an Apple product versus Arduino which I would consider more like windows. What you get with SAM is a proprietary hardware and software combination compared to more open sourced. SAM simplifies the complexities that otherwise would exclude a larger audience of inventors and tinkerers. I like the concept and the initial offerings. This kit really demonstrates well what the potential can be. A well polished and easy to combine set of components. The higher price is even analogous. I must say that there are some growing pains with the system. It is not completely bug free and full featured, but I can see that I has been well refined. I have been hesitant to invest in arduino because I didn't want to have to learn advanced programming. I would rather assemble pre-programmed and or pre-coded devices. This really fits me well. I like it a lot. I hope that over time like Tesla Motors products that successive generations of products will become more affordable as the early ones funded the growth and manufacturing costs. Time will tell. These will have to grab the attention of a loyal group of followers for sure to be successful. I think it has that potential.

My son really wanted a DIY kit for his birthday, I wasn't really sure what to get him. The problem I think is that most kits are quite complex and require a lot of programming and soldering etc. SAM Labs Inventor Kit was perfect for his level... It came with five projects that got him started on building with the SAMs, and after that he started building cool stuff on his own. For example, he managed to automate Lego and Playmobil toys etc. Great fun, definitely recommend.