DIY & Kits
Arduino starter kits, lockpick EDC tools, and open-source components for building your own privacy tools
Best in Class ELEGOO UNO R3 Most Complete Starter Kit (200+ Components)
The ELEGOO UNO R3 Most Complete kit is the recommended starting point for anyone building DIY counter-surveillance electronics — specifically the IR LED wearable dazzle projects documented elsewhere on this site. The 200+ component library includes everything needed to prototype the circuit: resistors, transistors, jumper wires, a breadboard, and the UNO R3 microcontroller board itself. The 33-project tutorial PDF walks non-programmers from LED blinking through RFID reader integration, covering the actual circuit theory you need rather than just copy-paste code. The LCD module in this kit specifically is required for projects that need field-readable output without a connected phone.
Budget Pick ELEGOO UNO Project Super Starter Kit
The entry to ELEGOO's Arduino line — the Super Starter Kit covers 22 projects with the UNO R3 board and a smaller but complete component set including an LCD, IR receiver, servo, and joystick. If you know the specific project you're building and the component list matches, this is the better value. If you're exploring or planning to build multiple projects, spend the extra $15 on the Most Complete kit for the expanded library. The 8,900+ review count confirms consistent quality control across production batches.
Only Option Multipick / Generic Credit Card Lockpick Set — Wallet EDC (5-piece)
A credit-card-sized sliding case housing five tension wrenches and picks in a form factor that fits any wallet card slot — the only wallet-format lockpick set consistently available at this price point. The tools are adequate for single-pin and raking techniques against most standard pin tumbler locks and basic wafer locks, which covers the majority of everyday padlocks, door hardware, and residential deadbolts. Lockpicking has dual legitimate applications: emergency egress (locked out of your own property) and understanding how the physical security around you actually functions. Legality varies by jurisdiction — in some US states possession requires intent to commit a crime, in others it is completely unrestricted. Check local law before carrying.
![Arduino Official Starter Kit [K000007]](/images/products/arduino-official-starter-kit-k000007.jpg)
Best in Class Arduino Official Starter Kit [K000007]
The official Arduino Starter Kit is Made in Italy by the Arduino organization itself, and it comes with the only printed project guide in this category — a hardcover book with 15 structured projects written by the Arduino team, covering electronics fundamentals with genuine pedagogical care. It costs twice as much as the ELEGOO kits and has fewer components. The justification is institutional: if you're teaching electronics in a classroom, workshop, or makerspace where origin-of-manufacture compliance matters, or where you're building a curriculum around the official documentation rather than community tutorials, the official kit is the right procurement choice. For personal DIY projects, ELEGOO delivers better value.