ELECROW for Raspberry Pi 5 8GB Kit, with Pi 5 8GB Single Board Computer, Crowpi Pi 5 Case Kit with 9inch Display, Compatible with Raspberry Pi 5 Learning Programming Kit with Sensors (8GB RAM)

Reviews

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Review AI Summary

Customers find the Crowpi to be an educational and fun product for kids and adults. They appreciate its well-designed, portable design that looks like a laptop. However, opinions differ on its ease of use, functionality, and value for money.

• 

  Bruce E. Munck

  

  Feb 27, 2020

  I almost cancelled this item, but missed the deadline and so it was shipped. Despite my misgivings this item arrived and I unboxed it. 2_25_2020 First impressions: The box was much heavier than I had expected, leading me to conclude that the unit just might be pretty solid. My suspicions were confirmed as I opened the box to reveal the contents. Elecrow has done a masterful job of packaging this equipment and presenting it in a tasteful manner. Mine came with an RPI-4B which, as I understand it, is the 2 GB model. Considering that this is a learning and prototyping device I see little consequence of having a 2 or 4 GB controller. This is, after all, not intended to be a final control package; although it certainly could be used as such. The package comes with a nice assortment of accessories which will prove useful as I work my way through the PDF training modules which I have already downloaded from the Elecrow web site. As I have not yet powered the unit I am unable to comment on its functionality, so there will be updates to this review as I have the time to put the CrowPi through its paces. In the mean-time, if you are on the fence about the CrowPi based on fears of its quality...rest easy. This is a well constructed piece of equipment. 6_28-2021 I finally have started using my Crowpi and, boy is it neat. It took me a bit longer to get Raspbian downloaded and installed on the SD card than I expected, but that was partly due to the download link having been changed and partly some glitches in the software I was using. If like me you are used to a standard computer, be prepared for a little difference when you shut it down. The screen turns blue and displays a message that there is no video signal. Don't worry...that means the pi is shut down. I experienced this during the initial configuration run and was a little nervous about turning the power off; but not to worry, everything was fine. That little 7 inch display is bright and clear, no issues with reading text or recognizing objects. I made use of the touch screen and it works very well...as well as can be expected, anyway. Unlike a smartphone a computer is not really optimized for touch control, so things like scrollbars take some concentrated effort to use. I will be more inclined to use a mouse for most operations. So far the only program I have downloaded and installed is Scratch. It looks to be an object based programming language that involves connecting objects instead of writing code. I am accustomed to the traditional way of programming, but I think this will be a good way to write a quick app when I don't have the time to write more serious code. This is a good place to end this review for now since I haven't done any of the tutorials yet. But first I want to put in a good word for the folks at Elecrow. They are some of the nicest, most cordial folks you will ever deal with; they will answer any question you have and do it in a most gracious manner. If you need assistance they are happy to give it. They really want you to succeed. 7-10-2021 After all the time I spent downloading the OS and burning it to an sd card that I purchased, I found that the Crowpi came with an sd card already loaded and ready to go. So, I removed the card I configured and installed the card that came with the kit. I expected to have to re-download Scratch, but Elecrow already had it on the card. It didn't take me too long to find the Python programs for using the distance sensor and the light sensor, so I loaded them one at a time and exercised the devices. Since the programs are pre-loaded onto the sd card you are not required to type them in to use them; although you can certainly remove the programs and type them back in yourself if you want the practice. I really like the integrated aspect of this kit...so many devices mounted and internally wired so that you don't have to spend time making connections. Obviously not everything is on the board and an included breadboard can facilitate wiring external items when needed, but the devices that are on the board provide you with rapid satisfaction. I haven't yet taken a serious stab at completing any of the assignments as I have been checking this thing out and enjoying the experience. So far I am really happy with this gizmo. I suppose there must be some areas that aren't quite to the level of 'wonderful', and one of them is the lack of a place inside the carry case to hold the keyboard and mouse. They give you a bag that would work for this purpose, but then you have to carry the Crowpi and the bag separately. Price-wise you get what I believe is a fair deal. This is a well thought out and engineered kit and you would be hard pressed to do better. You could theoretically build your own, but one look at this beauty and you'd have to realize yours would come up short. 7-17-2021 After a bit more time of using the Crowpi I find myself liking it more and more. I have drawers full of discrete components and breadboards that I have used over the years and will still use in the future. But for right now I am enjoying the utility of the Crowpi without the need to do a lot of interconnecting of devices. I can move some object up and down above the included distance sensor and see the results on the screen, and then not have to remove any wires when I'm through. Call me lazy, but it's nice when my clean-up consists of unplugging the power cord and closing the lid of the Crowpi case. When I want to try a different operating system I simply swap out the sd card and boot into another experience. The more I look at this beauty the more I appreciate it. I bought this Crowpi in early 2020 and just recently bought a Crowpi2 Deluxe kit. Neither one was free, I paid for both of them. And I wouldn't want to give either one of them up. Each one has its strong points and neither one has any glaring weak points. 8-1-2021 Something I have noticed that my Crowpi does is when I tell it to reboot all 64 of the leds in the led matrix turn on bright red and stay on. They get really hot in a short time. As long as I do a shutdown and turn power off before booting back up everything is fine. I just have to remember not to do a reboot. This is just a lesson learned and nothing more. No complaints since there is a workaround.

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• 

  iam.zone

  

  Nov 15, 2019

  To be honest the price originally put me off. After all a raspberry pi 4 is supposed to be the $35 computer right? This kit is almost 10x that. So what exactly do i get for the $300? - raspberry pi 4 2 gig with 32 gig preinstalled and ready to go - integrated 7inch touch screen display (could be bigger) - separate power adapter to provide more than enough juice for the pi 4, screen, and add ons - integrated sensor/input/breadboard for lots of learning projects - keyboard, mouse, game controllers, headphones, and lots of extras - an awesome quality clam shell design - integrated software/hardware. Just turn it on, and it boots up ready to go. - Awesome support and solid company (Claire is the best! - very responsive and accommodating ) - You can upgrade the pi 4 to another one bought separately. Easy to swap out I dont think you could buy all the parts individually and come out for less. And it wouldnt be beautifully integrated. Basically if you want a raspberry pi laptop with lots of nerdy features, this is great. Compared to other 'pilaptops' out there, this is the market leader. In fact there is nothing that compares to this other than the duinokit but that uses a tablet as its display (and remote vnc). I find myself actually using it as a second screen laptop. The PI4 is zippy enough to handle the browser well and 2gigs is enough for most of my needs. And if the screen is too small, i can use the second hdmi port to plug in a larger monitor. (note: they need to allow more room between their adaptor. So for now you have to unscrew the pi and have the hdmi wire plug in that way.) I am looking forward to playing with all the gizmos it has. I think there are some interesting gaming and educational opportunities possible. A child would love this as gift. It has minecraft of course, retropie gaming, and as they grow older they can jump into the python/sensor programming. This is something they can carry around and feel proud ownership. And what a great way to introduce them to an alternative OS like raspi. A great buy and I trust I will get years of enjoyment from it. Completely recommend it. Add it to your cart, order it, and enjoy!

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