Customer Reviews

Electronics Sensors for the Evil Genius: 54 Electrifying Projects

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I own several books by the author, and like his other books, this one is focused on construction details and how each particular circuit works, along with datasheets, as opposed to theory. So if you are looking for the theory of operation on individual sensors, I think you will be disappointed. However, if you are just looking for interesting projects to build, this book is full of good ideas for circuits. The projects range from the more simple and inexpensive, such as the overtemperature alarm, to the more complex and costly advanced electronic ion chamber. If you want a good book on sensors and the theory behind them you might try Fraden's recent edition of "Handbook of Modern Sensors". I notice that Amazon does not show the table of contents so I do that here:
Chapter 1: Audio Projects
Electronic stethoscope
Underwater hydrophone
Ultrasonic listener
Chapter 2: Light Detection & Measurement
Opto Listener
Basic radiometer
Digital ultraviolet radiometer
Digital ozone-meter
Sensitive optical tachometer
Chapter 3: Heat Sensing
Infrared flame detector
Freeze alarm
Over-temperature alarm
Analog data-logger system
LCD thermometer
Infrared motion detector
Chapter 4: Fluid Sensing
Rain detector
Fluid sensor
Fluid/water level indicator
Humidity monitor
pH meter
Chapter 5: Gas Sensing
Air pressure switch
Electronic sniffer
Combustible gas sensor
Electronic barometer
Chapter 6: Vibration Monitoring
Vibration hour monitor
Vibration alarm
Piezo seismic alarm
Research seismograph
Chapter 7: Magnetic Detection
Mag-Ear amplifier
ELF monitor
Electronic compass
Earth field magnetometer
Chapter 8: Sensing Electric Fields
Electroscope
Static tube
Simple electronic electroscope
Atmospheric electricity monitor
Cloud charge monitor
Chapter 9: Radio Projects
Lightning detector
ELF natural radio
Shortwave receiver
Jupiter radio telescope
Chapter 10: Radiation Detection
Cloud chamber
Low cost electronic ion chamber I
Advanced electronic ion chamber II
Geiger Counter
Appendix A: Helpful Contact Information
Appendix B: Data Sheets

Back many, many years ago, when the earth was flat and the sun went around the earth, I built a whole series of crystal radios. It seemed to me that something was lost when everything electronic became a chip and nearly everything you could imagine was made in Japan.

Now all of a sudden comes along this book. No, alas, there's not a crystal radio in it, but there's a short wave radio that's made with three chips. The complexity of the circuits is about the same as the old crystal sets. And the thrill of listening to WWV tell you the time as to be about the same as listening to the local radio station on the crystal set the first time.

There are quite a number of projects suitable for science fairs and the like. Come to think of it, building one of those electronic compasses from page 178 might be a good project even for an old kid of my advanced age.

Interesting collection of projects that require more than a simple trip to the Radio Shack to build. Each project has considerable scientific background information not just an electrical schematic and parts list. Many of the projects would make worthwhile science fair projects or other amateur science pursuits.

I was looking for a book that would tell me how to build various types of sensors in the garage using bell wire, nails, and coffee cans, and while this is not really the book for that, it indeed DOES contain many great project ideas and valuable information. You do need to already be pretty handy with a soldering iron and confident of your electronics knowledge and ability. You do not have to be evil, but a modicum of genius is helpful.

I was pleased with the chapter on building a seismograph, which was helpful as I put together my own-design force-motion seismometer.

My seismometer IS, by the way, constructed from nails, tuna-fish cans, chunks of galvanized pipe, wheel weights, guitar strings and the like, and while this book is about projects that are constructed from commercially produced components, it provides sufficient explanations of theory to allow the curious to understand, and construct projects from more pedestrian materials.

My ex was getting in to programming arduinos and small robotics. I bought him this for Christmas, but I never saw him open it once.
I opened it, it looked pretty informative and interesting. If I were programming small electronics, I'd buy it again, only for myself this time.

Many of the projects in this book are interesting and can be used as parts of one's own electronics projects. Theories and schematics are presented reasonably well.

Some construction details are presented fine, such as mechanical assemblies and required parts lists. What I found annoying was the complete lack of PCB layouts, especially with the more complex designs. The author probably has built all of the presented prototypes and could have provided these layouts thus saving a huge amount of the readers' design and error checking time in this area.

I recently purchased "Electronic Sensors" and find it very enjoyable. The issues of obtaining parts and their expense (especially in these times) are my only issues. I find developing hardware a perfect offshoot to advanced programming!

I received my book (Electronic Sensors for the Evil Genius:54 electrifiying projects)within 2 weeks of the purchase date and in good condition. I am looking forward to making some of the projects .
Thanks

JHamm