RE: Why we will be releasing our own electronics kits in 2019
I've noticed how crappy starter kits are these days. There's crappy, cheap, then crappy and cheap. There are a few good ones of course, but mostly they're pretty expensive. Many of the better ones have gone out of production. It's not like there are many maker stores left. So people gotta find these kits online mostly, or randomly at some store. And then, unless they know better, they're likely to get one of the crappy ones.
I would like to say that I actually would prefer to get a kit made to work around 18650's. I like em. They're a pretty nice size, and they're rechargeable and pretty energy dense. I'm tired of these one time use batteries after so many years of using them. You're always spending a few bucks for them. Better to just recharge them at the wall. You can get them at any vape shop these days. Maybe a few other places. Dunno.
As an electronics nerd I like them too, but putting myself in a newbie family's shoes on Christmas morning, not having the batteries or charger in the kit, and no other alternative, means there is going to be tears :)
Possibly. They're getting slightly more common...right before everyone switches to that new slightly larger size!
Most kids wouldn't jump right into an electronics kit. But, if they did, totally the parents fault for not getting the batteries. :P
It's really debatable if it's a good or a bad thing. You can easily order them online, along with a cheap USB charger. Once you do, it's a lot cheaper in the long run. For a true nerd, it's the better option. For a kids first kit, maybe not.