Customer Reviews

The Forrest Mims Circuit Scrapbook, Vol 1

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Forrest Mims is surely the master for explaning things to the average electronics hobbyist. His hand-sketched drawings and list of interesting applications are a delight to view. I highly recommend this book. However, there are a number of things within it that are simply outdated. For example, I couldn't find one circuit that used a single microcontroller. There are also some obselete projects, such as stop watches that use numerous old logic IC's. In such cases, microcontrollers would be a better approach. Aside from this fact, there is a lot that can be learned from this book.

I purchased this book based on others previously written by Mr. Mimms. My old collection consisted of his 1980 edition of the Engineer's Notebook series and the Integrated Circuit Projects mini books previously available from Radio Shack. There always seems to be some overlap with his books. I was attempting to update my library since I had not been involved in circuit building for a while. I DO regret purchasing this book. As the title implies, this book should have remained his scrapbook. It contains typos, incomplete info and contradictions with his other published books while using some of the same IC's and circuits. As a result, some circuits don't work properly or not at all. One such example on page 129, the schematic of the general purpose amplifier. He has pin 1 of the 741 op amp as the output to the 386 chip. It should be pin 6 on the 741 chip (output). I attempted the circuit with his pinout and it would never work. Pin 1 is the offset null. Pin 6 is the output of the op amp. Other books of his state the 741 can use a single polarity power supply for non voice purposes and yet this same circuit uses such. He states the same circuit can be used with several type microphones or sensors etc. If used with a condenser mike it cannot be used without additonal parts.

If you are interested in electronics, I would highly recommend reading this book. Despite the fact that technological components have surpassed many of the circuits contained in various chapters, the significance is the description of the circuit themselves. The "how and why" a particular circuit operates.

The author is quite straightfoward in the description and operation of electronics. I highly recommend this scrapbook of electronic circuits and schematics.

I have placed this book on the shelf with other favorites and it has become a reference by providing the ground work for circuit development.

I bought my first Forrest Mims book a few decades ago because it was readable, accurate, and fairly priced (we usually have to pick any two, but hot all three). After a long hiatus, I'm trying to kick-start my electronics knowledge and skills, and there's no better place to go than his works. To get the most out of this book you should have a basic understanding of electronics and get your hands dirty building some of the circuits on a breadboard. If you meet those minimal requirements, you can't go wrong buying this book.

This little book is full of very interesting little circuits that are reminicent of Don Lancaster's various cookbooks published in the early 1980's. Chapter one on analog circuits contains information you just don't see anymore on how to build various circuits based on op amps. I also really loved the section on test equipment including how to build a very simple solid-state oscilloscope. Every chapter has something "fun" in it, especially the chapter on experimenter and game circuits, such as the simple wind speed indicator. Chapter six, on digital circuits, has the most basic designs. Since the onset of COTS and modular electronics, the typical electrical engineer just no longer gets to have the kind of fun you'll have with these interesting electronic designs. The content is very detailed with complete construction details. I subtract a single star from my rating due to a few errors I found in some of the instructions. However, the errors are pretty obvious to anyone familiar with electronics.

This book is good for the price. It is very good for the electronic hobbyist especially a beginner, but also some with experience.

As an electronics engineer I bought this book because some people recommended it to me. Once I got it I was disappointed since I didn't find anything interesting in it. The quality of what's in it is not bad, but its just not for me. It might be good for people who want to tinker a bit with electronics. I don't think I will ever pick it up again.

Like anything Forrest Mims has written, this is a treasure trove of interesting projects for both work and play.

Classic little book, great way to really learn your circuits. Extremely clear presentation.

I love this book. I thought it was many interesting. I like to make circuits like the one in this book. I enjoyed to make circuit like one in this book. This book very interesting and educational. I like to read and build thing with this book. WOW!!!!