Zero Ideas of Where to Start With the Raspberry Pi Zero W? Start Here

Everyone knows “that guy” who sat at their computer “working” frantically slamming the F5 key refreshing their browser in hopes of catching that fleeting IN STOCK notation on the Pimoroni or Adafruit website to get their hands on the precious Raspberry Pi Zero. Who can blame them? Just because you wasted an hour to buy a $5 board – it’s only money, right?

A few months later the second release came and went just as fast. What’s going on?! We want to buy them by the truck load! At least that was the sentiment throughout the internet. Lucky for us a few more months after the second version, the Raspberry Pi Zero W (“W” for wireless – ingenious!) was released. Again the rush to buy came, but this time it seemed that stock would be readily available (still could only order 1 per customer). But hey, who’s to say you can’t place more than one order, right? It’s called gaming the system—look it up.

The Dreaded “What Now?”

So you’re lucky enough to get the compact, easily integrated, low cost single board computer. If you’re anything like me, you began googling Raspberry Pi Zero W projects and sifting through the endless pages devoted to Raspberry Pi. Choosing a reliable well composed project that has clear, easy to understand directions (or even an associated parts list) is a full-time job. The problem with the internet, as we all know, is that new pages keep getting created, and more pages equals more junk.

Raspberry Pi Zero W (It’s wireless!) Kits

There is stock. We can buy Raspberry Pi Zero Ws from “Authorized Raspberry Pi Resellers” as much as we want (see gaming the system). Lucky for us, awesome companies like Pimoroni and SparkFun started putting together kits with specific projects in mind—kits that have been vetted and come complete with everything you need to build the project.

DigiKey has partnered with Pimoroni and SparkFun to provide our customers with these great kits for anyone interested in getting started with Raspberry Pi Zero W. Really, they are perfect for anyone regardless of where you are in your Raspberry Pi story. These kits are complete projects, but once you build the project, your ideas might take over and you can repurpose the Pi and parts for anything you want. The goal is to get you comfortable with the Pi Zero W, and the rest is up to you!

Six Raspberry Pi Zero W Kits to get you started

DigiKey now stocks six kits perfect for getting familiar with Raspberry Pi Zero W. There are four kits focused on specific projects and two starter kits (containing everything to get the Pi Zero up and running).

OctoCam Kit – Pimoroni

OctoCam Kit – Pimoroni

The OctoCam includes a Raspberry Pi Zero W, a 5 MP camera, the OctoCam acrylic mount (with suction cups for mounting), and a desk stand. It has a set-up time of around 30 minutes, with step-by-step instructions from Pimoroni. For a complete list of kit contents and instructions, check out the OctoCam Pi Zero W Project Kit on digikey.com.

Pirate Radio Kit – Pimoroni

Pirate Radio Kit – Pimoroni

Pimoroni’s Pirate Radio project kit teaches you how to create your own internet connected radio. This kit has multiple software projects available for making an internet connected radio, Spotify streaming box, or an AirPlay speaker. Included in the kit is the Pi Zero W, Pimoroni’s pHAT BEAT DAC and stereo amp, a 5 W speaker, and a cool looking “retro” acrylic enclosure. The build time for this project is around 30 minutes with complete instructions available online. For the complete kit contents and detailed data sheet, check out the Pirate Radio Pi Zero W Project Kit on digikey.com.

Scroll Bot Kit – Pimoroni

Scroll Bot Kit – Pimoroni

For those obsessed with constant connectivity, the Scroll Bot may be your new best friend. This Raspberry Pi Zero W project kit walks you through setting up your own news, weather, or Twitter feed scroll. This kit includes the Pi Zero W, the Pimoroni Scroll pHAT HD board, and a sweet orange robot overlay (because aesthetics). Complete kit contents and in-depth instructions for the Scroll Bot Pi Zero W Project Kit can be found on digikey.com.

Mood Light Kit – Pimoroni

Mood Light Kit – Pimoroni

This kit walks you through setting up an internet-connected mood light (or kid’s night light). This kit comes with the Raspberry Pi Zero W, the Pimoroni Unicorn pHAT which uses 32 programmable RGB Neopixel LEDs and a white and yellow pendant light stand and diffuser – perfect for your night stand or desk. The complete list of contents and software downloads for the Mood Light Pi Zero W Project Kit can be found on digikey.com.

Starter Raspberry Pi Zero W Kit

Starter/Basic Raspberry Pi Zero W Kits

For more seasoned Pi people who want to develop their own projects (and don’t like to be told what to do), Pimoroni and SparkFun have special kits that include everything to get the Pi Zero W up and running.

Everything you need to get started is in this kit. The kit includes an OS pre-loaded SD card, the Pibow Zero W Case, and a Blinkt! Multicolor LED strip. This kit is great for beginners to start coding in Python. Check digikey.com for the complete list of parts included in the Pi Zero W Starter Kit.

SparkFun, as the name obviously implies, has a goal of making electronics fun. To that end, they have put together the Raspberry Pi Zero W Basic Kit to alleviate the tricky set-up. This kit includes the Pi Zero W, a preprogrammed NOOBS card, cables, and power adapter. For a complete breakdown of this kit and its contents, check out the Raspberry Pi Zero W Basic Kit on digikey.com.

Basic Raspberry Pi Zero W Kit

No Excuses

There is no better time to dive in to Raspberry Pi. With companies like Pimoroni and SparkFun essentially walking you through your first project, your skill level in electronics is irrelevant. Once you get the process down, the endless world of possibilities opens, and you can develop your own ideas and work in other components that pique your interest. All of these kits are available on the DigiKey website. And when you have outgrown the starter kits, we have tons of sensors, LEDs, add on boards and other components to explore with your Raspberry Pi Zero W.