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Kitronik ZIP Halo HD plus micro:bit
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Kitronik ZIP Halo HD plus batteries
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Description
Open the door to a world of possibilities with the :VIEW Halo HD Board for micro:bit.
Description:
The Kitronik Halo HD board for the BBC micro:bit incorporates 60 individually addressable full colour ZIP LEDs. It also breaks out P1 and P2 to a standard 0.1” footprint, it features a MEMS microphone for detection of sound, and a piezo buzzer to play sound. If that weren't enough, it also features an onboard real time clock (RTC) controlled by I2C lines from the microbit. The board also has two M3 mounting holes. We think you'll agree, the board is loaded with useful features. It doesn't stop there...
Plug n Play:
No tools required, not even a screwdriver, plug the micro:bit, available separately, straight into the onboard edge connector and you are good to go!
Onboard Power:
The board has a 3xAA battery holder mounted on the rear, with a power switch on the front of the board. A regulated supply is produced on the board which is fed into the 3V and GND connections to power the connected BBC micro:bit, removing the need to power the BBC micro:bit separately. See the Datasheet for more information.
MakeCode Blocks:
Kitronik have created custom blocks for the Halo HD for use with MakeCode. To add these blocks, first go to makecode.microbit.org and start a new project. Under the “Advanced” section click on “Extensions”. In the next window search for “Halo HD”. Then, click on the tile to import it into MakeCode. You will see that the blocks are split across three categories; ZIP LEDs, Microphone and Clock. You can find more information on the MakeCode editor and also on how to write code for it with MicroPython in the Datasheet.
Examples:
To get you off to a flying start we have produced a number of code examples that cover all of the onboard features and that will also serve to inspire your own projects. You will find links to these examples in the resources section below.
Features:
- The board features 60 individually addressable full colour ZIP LEDs.
- It breaks out P1 and P2 to a standard 0.1” footprint.
- It's wired for sound with a MEMS microphone and a piezo buzzer.
- It has an onboard Real time clock (RTC) controlled by I2C lines.
- Plug n play with the onboard edge connector, no tools required!.
- The board has a 3xAA battery holder mounted on the rear.
- The On/off switch helps you maximise battery life.
- It can be coded with MakeCode blocks via our custom blocks or with MicroPython.
- 2 x M3 Mounting holes, for secure projects.
Contents:
- 1 x :VIEW ZIP Halo HD Board for micro:bit.
Dimensions:
- Diameter: 87mm.
- M3 Mounting Holes Spacing (Center to Center): 68.4mm.
Video:
Requires:
Buy British:
This product is designed and manufactured in the UK by Kitronik.
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Datasheet.
- Tech Talks - live stream playback.
- The ZIP Halo HD can also be controlled with MicroPython, code examples for each of the boards features can be found on GitHub here.
- We've produced example code below to get you off to a flying start. Collectively, they serve as an introduction to all of the features of the board.
| Attribute | Value |
| Operating Voltage (Vcc) | 3.5V – 5V. |
| Number of ZIP LEDs | 60. |
| Number of external channels | 3 (1x ZIP LED, 2x IO pin, each IO channel rated +3V at 50mA). |
| Max Current (ZIP LED running full RGB brightness) | 0.9A (15mA per ZIP). |
| MEMS Microphone Sensitivity | -42 dBV/Pa (typical). |
| MEMS Microphone Signal to Noise Ratio | 59dB. |
| MEMS Microphone | P0 (analogue input). |
| P1 Breakout pin header | 1 – P1, 2 - +V (Battery Voltage), 3 - GND. |
| P2 Breakout pin header | 1 - P2, 2 - +V (Battery Voltage), 3 - GND. |
| ZIP LED | P8. |
| Buzzer | P14. |
| RTC | P19 & P20 (using the I2C lines). |
Same Day Dispatch
- Orders placed online before 3:00pm Monday - Friday (excluding public holidays and our Christmas shutdown period) are always dispatched the same day provided the goods are in stock. If the goods are not in stock we will endeavour to contact you as soon as possible to discuss a dispatch date.
UK Deliveries
- If you live on the UK mainland and don't have any large materials or lithium batteries in your order it will cost £3.95 (£4.74 including VAT) if you spend less than £40 (£48 including VAT).
- If you spend between £40 and £200 (£48 - £240.00 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) delivery is free to most locations, £12 (£14.40 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) to Northern Ireland and £15 (£18.00 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) to UK remote locations. For a list of postcodes that will be charged the remote location rate: remote area list.
- If you spend over £200 (£240.00 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) delivery is free within the UK.
Rest of the world
- These orders are sent via UPS, and the cost is dependant on the service you choose at checkout. Alternatively you can choose the free collection option and have your own courier collect it from us. International orders can only be shipped to the registered card address. Please note: International orders may be charged import duty dependant on local import laws and duty rates. These charges are usually billed to you directly from UPS.
- Delivery times vary for international orders depending on the service selected and the destination. You can see the delivery time and cost at the shipping stage, or by using the shipping estimator from within the shipping basket.
Collection
- If you would like to collect your order, or use your own courier then there is an option you can select during checkout. We do not charge a packaging or handling fee for this service, and you will receive an email when your order has been processed, you can collect half an hour after receipt of this email.
Further Information
- For information about all of the delivery options we offer see full delivery details.
A wide range of BBC micro:bit resources, what it is, the editors and using the micro:bit
A wide range of BBC micro:bit resources, what it is, the editors and using the micro:bit
Since launching the ZIP Halo HD back in Autumn 2019, it's proven very popular! It's visually impressive, has some fantastic additional features in comparison to our previous ZIP Halo and...
Since launching the ZIP Halo HD back in Autumn 2019, it's proven very popular! It's visually impressive, has some fantastic additional features in comparison to...
Get creative with the children at home and make your very own Sound Reactive Halo HD Elephant! Combine creativity and code with this fun-filled project that can be completed in...
Get creative with the children at home and make your very own Sound Reactive Halo HD Elephant! Combine creativity and code with this fun-filled project...
Q:
How bright are these LEDs
A:
Thank you for your question, the LEDs can have their brightness altered but they can be very bright. At max brightness they can be uncomfortable to look directly at so we tend to recommend setting them to less than full brightness in some experiments.
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
10-Aug-21
Q:
Hello Kitronik Team,
I would like to know what is the min and max voltage to power the halo? I was thinking to use 3 rechargeable AA 1.2V batteries (2500 mah). Is it enough and not too much? :)
Thank you for you feedback!
Regards,
Ludovic
I would like to know what is the min and max voltage to power the halo? I was thinking to use 3 rechargeable AA 1.2V batteries (2500 mah). Is it enough and not too much? :)
Thank you for you feedback!
Regards,
Ludovic
Asked by: Ludovic
A:
Thank you for your question, the voltage range for the Halo is 3.5V to 5V so three rechargeable batteries at 1.2V when fully charged should be sufficient. However, you will likely see voltage drop from as the batteries charge is used which might mean it drops below this voltage range.
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
03-Dec-20
Q:
First of all... the Halo HD is my most favourite micro:bit accessory :)
But... is there a way to read the value for an individual LED? For example, the LEDs may have been rotated an unknown number of times and I want to know the RGB or color value of LED 0, 1, 2, etc.
But... is there a way to read the value for an individual LED? For example, the LEDs may have been rotated an unknown number of times and I want to know the RGB or color value of LED 0, 1, 2, etc.
Asked by: David
A:
Hi David,
Thank you for your email, I have been having a look and the only thing I can think of doing this is to create a variable that increases each time it rotates but generally I am unaware of any way of getting feedback on the current colour of the LEDs.
Best Regards
Cullen
Thank you for your email, I have been having a look and the only thing I can think of doing this is to create a variable that increases each time it rotates but generally I am unaware of any way of getting feedback on the current colour of the LEDs.
Best Regards
Cullen
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
20-Mar-20
Q:
Is it possible to use the battery at https://www.kitronik.co.uk/4652-polymer-lithium-ion-battery-1ah.html to power this rather than 3x AA batteries on the rear of the Halo ring?
Asked by: James
A:
Hi James,
Thank you for your question you could use that battery with them but it will run down much quicker than 3 x AAA batteries.
Best Regards
Cullen
Thank you for your question you could use that battery with them but it will run down much quicker than 3 x AAA batteries.
Best Regards
Cullen
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
11-Mar-20
Q:
Hi guys,
I am an ed tech teacher in the Netherlands and am excited about using the zip halo HD to learn some micropython and in building projects with my students. One of the reasons I chose the zip halo hd was because of the example programs. However I can't seem to get any of them to run on my microbit/zip halo. It would also be wonderful if you could share the actual code for these programs so I could learn how you created them. Please let me know if this is possible and thanks!
I am an ed tech teacher in the Netherlands and am excited about using the zip halo HD to learn some micropython and in building projects with my students. One of the reasons I chose the zip halo hd was because of the example programs. However I can't seem to get any of them to run on my microbit/zip halo. It would also be wonderful if you could share the actual code for these programs so I could learn how you created them. Please let me know if this is possible and thanks!
Asked by: Tom Spackman
A:
Hi Tom,
Thank you for your question we should have the example programmes on most of our resources like the one below.
https://www.kitronik.co.uk/blog/get-started-with-zip-halo
At the bottom of the page should be the download link. If you are still having difficulties let me know and I will see what I can do.
Best Regards
Cullen
Thank you for your question we should have the example programmes on most of our resources like the one below.
https://www.kitronik.co.uk/blog/get-started-with-zip-halo
At the bottom of the page should be the download link. If you are still having difficulties let me know and I will see what I can do.
Best Regards
Cullen
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
03-Mar-20
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