BBC micro:bit EX

The BBC micro:bit Go is great but we know you need a little extra at times, so we have put together the BBC micro:bit EX.

The staff at cd-soft really knew their stuff about micro:bits and were able to help me with my needs. Once I placed the order it was sent within days.

In previous orders, their support post-delivery, dealing with warranty and user-error issues was second to none.

I am very grateful for their continuing support and efficiency.

Sallyanne Barlow - May 2020

Includes

1x BBC micro:bit board with Quick Start Guide - A pocket-sized codeable computer which is super easy to use and can be used across the curriculum.

1x Braided USB Cable 1m (8cm is just not long enough) - A Braided Aluminum Micro USB Data & Sync Charger Cable Cord.

1x Battery Cage with switch (BBC micro:bit Go cage doesn't have a switch) - The JST connector easily plugs into the BBC micro:bit to provide a portable power supply.

4x AAA Batteries (BBC micro:bit Go includes only 2) - Long lasting, dependable power across a wide range of everyday applications.

 

The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized codeable computer which is super easy to use and can be used across the curriculum, not just STEM subjects. It is a great programmable platform for anyone of any age. The simplicity of the micro:bit makes it an easy starting point for early year groups but it can also be a powerful tool for experienced coders, it can be coded with JavaScript, MicroPython, Microsoft Block Editor and Microsoft Touch Develop.

See our list of accessories for the BBC micro:bit

The micro:bit has a lot of features, like 25 red LED lights on the front of it which can flash messages. There are two programmable buttons that can be programed to control games or even pause and skip songs on a playlist. It can detect motion and tell you which direction you're heading by its built in accelerometer and magnetometer, and it can use a low energy Bluetooth connection to connect and interact with other devices and the internet.

Packs & Bundles Available

Features

• 25 individually-programmable LEDs: The micro:bit has 25 individually-programmable LEDs, allowing you to display text, numbers, and images.
• 2 programmable buttons: There are two buttons on the front of the micro:bit (labelled A and B). You can detect when these buttons are pressed, allowing you to trigger code on the device.
• Physical connection pins: There are 25 external connectors on the edge connector of the micro:bit, which we refer to as 'pins'. Program motors, LEDs, or other electrical components with the pins, or connect extra sensors to control your code!
• Light sensor: By reversing the LEDs of the screen to become an input, the LED screen works as a basic light sensor, allowing you to detect ambient light.
• Temperature sensor: This sensor allows the micro:bit to detect the current temperature of the device, in degrees and Celsius.
• Accelerometer: An accelerometer measures the acceleration of your micro:bit; this component senses when the micro:bit is moved. It can also detect other actions, e.g. shake, tilt, and free-fall.
• Wireless Communication, via Radio: The radio feature allows you to communicate wirelessly between micro:bits. Use the radio to send messages to other micro:bits, build multiplayer games, and much more!
• Wireless Communication, via Bluetooth: BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) allows the micro:bit to control phones and tablets over Bluetooth. This communication works both ways, so you can also send code to your micro:bit wirelessly from your phone using one of our apps. Other apps, such as Swift Playgrounds and Scratch, use Bluetooth to talk to the micro:bit.
• USB interface: The USB interface allows you to connect the micro:bit to your computer via a micro-USB cable, which will power the device and allow you to download programs onto the micro:bit.

Programming

MakeCode Editor

The MakeCode editor provided by Microsoft makes it easy to program your micro:bit with blocks and JavaScript.

micro:bit has recently updated their editor, with the previous version still available for anyone that needs it. If you have any issues accessing the editor, check that it isn't blocked in your school.

MakeCode Editor Resources

• Let's Code
• Reference
• Lessons

 

Python Editor

Our Python editor is perfect for those who want to push their coding skills further. A selection of snippets and a range of premade images and music give you a helping hand with your code. Powered by the global Python Community.

Python Editor Resources

• Let's Code
• Reference

 

Applications

The micro:bit apps let you send code to your micro:bit wirelessly using Bluetooth. No leads needed! Learn more about using Applications.

Download The BBC micro:bit app for your Android device using the Google Play App.

Program the micro:bit using the MakeCode editor on your Windows 10 device. In addition to the familiar features of the web editor, the app lets you program your micro:bit over USB (without needing to drag-and-drop the file onto the micro:bit drive) and directly read serial data from your micro:bit for data logging and other fun experiments!

Learn to code the micro:bit in Swift with our interactive 'book' for iPad. Discover the fundamentals of code while having fun with your micro:bit!

 

Specifications

• Size: approx. 5cm x 4cm
• Weight: 8g
• Microprocessor: 32-bit ARM® Cortex™ M0 CPU
• A 5x5 LED matrix with 25 red LEDs to light up and can display animiated patterns, scrolling text and alphanumeric characters
• Two programmable buttons. Use them as a games controller, or control music on a smart phone
• On-board motion detector or 3-AXIS digital accelerometer that can detect movement e.g. shake, tilt or free-fall and use it to control motion activated games
• A built-in compass, 3D magnetometer to sense which direction you're facing and your movement in degrees and detect the presence of certain metals and magnets
• Bluetooth® Smart Technology. Connect the micro:bit to other micro:bits, devices, phones, tablets, cameras and other everday objects
• Five Ring Input and Output (I/O) including power (PWR), ground (GRD) and 3 x I/O. The micro:bit can read values from sensors and control things like motors or robots
• 20 pin edge connector: This allows the micro:bit to be connected to other devices such as Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Galileo and Kano through a standard connector
• Micro-USB controller: This is controlled by a separate processor and presents the micro:bit to a computer as a memory stick
• System LED x 1 yellow
• System push button switch x 1

 

• BBC micro:bit EX - 10 Pack
• BBC micro:bit EX - 100 Pack

 

Invention • Kitronik Inventors Kit  • SparkFun Arcade Kit • Monk Makes Electronics Kit • Elecfreaks Tinker Kit • Elecfreaks Experiment Box • Elecfreaks Smart Home Kit • Kitronik Discovery Kit • Kitronik Prototyping System • SparkFun Gator Starter Kit • SparkFun gator:bit v2.0	Sensor • Monk Makes Sensor Board • Elecfreaks Sonar:bit • Monk Makes CO2 Sensor • SparkFun Soil Moisture Sensor • Elecfreaks Sensor:bit • SparkFun weather:bit
Expansion • DF Robot Boson Expansion Board • SparkFun Breakout Board • Elecfreaks Breadboard Adapter • SparkFun gamer:bit • Monk Makes Relay • Kitronik :GAME ZIP 64 • Elecfreaks Edge:bit • Elecfreaks Breakout Board • Elecfreaks Wukong Board with Lego Holder • Kitronik :Create Proto Board • Kitronik :Game Controller • Kitronik :VIEW Text32 LCD Screen • Kitronik All-in-one Robotics Board • Kitronik Interface Board • Kitronik Klimate Board • Kitronik KLIP Motor Driver • Kitronik RTC Board • Kitronik Terminal Block Breakout • Submersible Water Pump - Horizontal DC 3V - 5V • Submersible Water Pump - Vertical DC 3V - 5V • Kitronik Breakout Board • Elecfreaks mBot Robot Board	Power • Kitronik Mi:power board • CR2032 Coin Battery • Pro-Elec Alkaline Batteries • Alligator Clips with 2.1 DC Power plug • USB to Micro Braided Cable (100cm) • 2x AAA Battery Cage with JST connector & switch • Alligator Clips & Lead -10 Pack • Elecfreaks Power Supply Module • Monk Makes Charger Kit
Motion • 4tronix Bit:Bot XL • Elecfreaks Joystick:bit • Kitronik :Move mini Buggy Kit V2 • Kitronik 16 Servo Driver Board • Elecfreaks Motor:bit • Feetech Micro Servo • DF Robot Max:Bot • Monk Makes Servo • Monk Makes Servo Kit • DF Robot micro: Maqueen • CD-Soft DIY Flute Bot • Elecfreaks Smart Car Robot Kit • Kitronik Line Following Buggy V2 • Kitronik Linear Actuator • Kitronik MeArm Robot • Kitronik Motor Driver Board V2 • Kitronik Servo:Lite Board • Monk Makes Animatronic Head Kit	Light • Kitronik ZIP Halo • 300 Piece LED Kit • Monk Makes 7-Segment Display • Monk Makes RGB LED • Kitronik STOP:bit • Kitronik Electro-Fashion Sewable ZIP LED • Kitronik LAMP:bit • Kitronik ZIP Hex LED • DF Robot Circular RGB LED Expansion Board • Elecfreaks Rainbow LED Christmas Tree • Kitronik Access:Bit • Kitronik ZIP Arc - 12 ZIP LEDs • Kitronik ZIP Arc - 15 ZIP LEDs • Kitronik ZIP Circle - 12 ZIP LEDs • Kitronik ZIP Halo HD • Kitronik ZIP Stick - 5 ZIP LEDs • Kitronik ZIP Tile
Sound • Monk Makes Speaker for micro:bit • Audio Cable for micro:bit • 3V Piezo Buzzer • Kitronik :KLEF Piano • Kitronik 0.25W 8 Ohm 40mm Thin Speaker • Elecfreaks Snowflake Buzzer	Protection • Elecfreaks Clear Case • Kitronik Mi:pro Case • Kitronik Mi:pro Case for the Mi:power board
Wearable • Kitronik Electro-Fashion Sewable ZIP LED • Kitronik Electro Fashion E-Textiles Kit • Wearables Class Kit	BBC micro:bit • BBC micro:bit Go • BBC micro:bit EX

Download our Updated BBC micro:bit Accessory Guide

I bought the microbit:EX and the Kitronik Inventors Kit from CD-Soft. Both turned up quickly and in excellent condition. My son has already had much fun programming the microbit and I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in electronics and programming. There's just something special about having a physical chip running your code instead of just an emulator.

James Podesta - May 2020

Brilliant product and service. My kids are having a lot of fun while making new creations and learning the fundamentals of programming.
Kris Powell - April 2020

• BBC micro:bit Accessory Guide
• Teachers Quick-Start Guide
• Let's Code
• Lesson Planning
• Teaching Resources
• micro:bit Crash Course by Grok Learning
• Safety Guide
• Microsoft 14 Week Curriculum