Orangepip Kona328 Arduino UNO Compatible Development Board

I just started using a class set of Orange Pips for my year 9 electronics club and they work really well and are a lot cheaper than the Arduino !!! Had some initial teething problems with downloading the programmes onto the board but the tech team at Rapid sorted this out ( I was doing something wrong - der !). Would recommend buying a class pack to other teachers who want to get started in programming / control electronics.

This OrangePip board appears to be a direct clone of the Arduino Uno using identical or very similar chips and associated hardware. It appears to work in exactly the same way, with Arduino software reporting it as a genuine product and accepting all the same instructions. Not quite as nicely made as the genuine article with no insulating baseboard, and not as clear or prominent printing for pin-outs etc., although adequately marked to allow correct connection. The underside circuitry is exposed so care needs to be taken where you place the board while in use, no problem if you intend to mount it. Not as cheap as some "internet" clones but a quality product and a safe choice while saving a few pounds over the original.