Anybody remember Heathkit? This is kind of like that. Needed a small micro controller for a project and for $60 why not get a box full-o-parts as well as the micro controller? Had it up and running in about half an hour on a Mac but as an EE I always kind of chuckle how poorly instructions are laid out for things like this if you should be a novice. Should have one, repeat ONE, README.TXT file that says "1. go and load the serial driver for your system/op sys so the computer can communicate with the Arduino board 2) go and download the programming software for your op sys so you can write programs and download them to the Arduino 3) plug Arduino into your computer using supplied cable 4) plug power cord into Arduino and then into 120VAC outlet 5) start programming software 6) go to . Oh and showing how to use the debug window and syntax for printing to it right up front would also be great. I've done some work on Parallax and the debug window is right there at the main programming screen and always handy to figure out why it didn't do what you think it should have done.

Still giving it 5 stars because it's astonishing that you can get a programmable micro controller with free software and a zillion I/O for practically nothing. Looking at you Allen Bradley and Square D.....

Elegoo Mega 2560 Project the Complete Ultimate Starter kit came nicely packed without any damage. Everything was packed in a nice storage box. Kit contains Arduino Mega2560 board and 200 pcs of components including LCD 1602 module, RFID module, Prototype extension board, Serve motor, stepper motor, PIR motion sensor, Soun sensor, Water level detection sensor, rotary encoder and much more.This is a great kit for beginners at electronics and/or programming who wants to knock together a few circuits with their Raspberry Pi or Arduino.
Breadboard makes things easier than soldering By using breadboard power supply we can set one side for 5VDC, and the other for 3.3VDC or both for 3.3 volts or both for 5 volts and it has a push switch to turn the power on or off.
Also, it comes with a CD which contains free pdf tutorials.

I've just started with this kit today, but so far 2 of 5 major components I've used are defective, so of course I'm very disappointed.

The breadboard has a short between power and ground (!) on one side, which at best makes your project fail, and at worst could quickly ruin just about anything you connect to it, including possibly even your PC. The SG90 servo included in the kit sweeps sporadically sweeps 360 degrees when its input falls between 0 and 6, which is clearly a defective part (probably a problem with the potentiometer), since the servo is not supposed to be a continuous rotation device.

There are a good variety of components in this kit, but there's no way I'd pay $60 for a learning kit where I waste so much time tracking down broken parts every 30 minutes. And now what's my next step, do I send the whole kit back every time there's at least one part defective, which statistically seems highly likely?

The supplier has shipped a replacement kit. I'm immediately set at ease somewhat by this; will edit this review again when I've tested some of its components.

This kit is awesome! So I have 0 arduino or electronics experience (apart from occasionally watching a youtube video). I do have some windows programming experience so going in I felt confident I would be able to learn.

The hardware itself is awesome, lots of bits and bobs. But what really blew me away and earned this kit 5 stars is the included 223 page pdf instructions. It goes step by step explaining different things but not at a slow pace like you might expect. it includes colored diagrams of the schematics and is written in plain english instead of like what you would normally expect from included documentation. You feel like you're actually listening to some teacher or something.

It's a very fun and easy hobby.

Really happy I bought this. I have been working through the tutorials thus far and for the most part they are very simple, just explaining how to run different parts with the default code. I recommend looking in to more of the literature and buying some other cheap components online to play around with the arduino and work on more complicated projects. This is an awesome place to start though. Best of luck with your projects!