# Spark Core V1 - worth keeping? **URL:** \ **Category:** Hardware\ **Created:** [January 9, 2023, 5:12pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/spark-core-v1-worth-keeping/63795 "2023-01-09T17:12:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Brungle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f04885/32.png) [@Brungle](https://community.particle.io/u/Brungle)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2023, 5:12pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/spark-core-v1-worth-keeping/63795/1 "2023-01-09T17:12:33Z")
Hi guys, I’ve not been on here for about 8 years, I found 3x spark core v1 in a box of bits from when I used to tinker. I’ve attached photos. Are these completely useless now? I’ve tried to follow a Photon (no option for Spark Core) setup wizard but as much as I can get 2 of these devices flashing blue LED they don’t broadcast a wifi network so I guess there is some other method to set them up or they are just junk now as no longer supported? I was hoping to get my 8 year old tinkering but I don’t think I can do anything with these now and I’m best buying something else? any advice welcome as I have absolutely no idea how to get this up and running again at the moment. thank you ![20230109_170639](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/particle/original/3X/2/8/28505a4468087f66238d1c0ef3e9048d3148b14d.jpeg) ![20230109_170623](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/particle/original/3X/a/9/a9d2bb081afb4692f95ff8e14991f445f7e5822f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![rickkas7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/community.particle.io/rickkas7/32/8681_2.png) [@rickkas7](https://community.particle.io/u/rickkas7)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/spark-core-v1-worth-keeping/63795/2 "2023-01-09T17:19:38Z")
You can still set up a Spark Core, but you need to follow the directions to [install an old version of the Particle CLI](https://docs.particle.io/troubleshooting/guides/build-tools-troubleshooting/specific-cli-version/) and then set it up over USB using `particle serial wifi`. However, given the small RAM size, the slow speed of programming, no support for current versions of Device OS, it may be worthwhile to wait a few months for the Photon 2, which has a 200 MHz MCU and significantly more flash and RAM. ---
**Author:** ![Brungle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f04885/32.png) [@Brungle](https://community.particle.io/u/Brungle)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2023, 5:58pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/spark-core-v1-worth-keeping/63795/3 "2023-01-09T17:58:29Z")
thank you for the rapid response, I will check back for the Photon 2 in a few months. ---
**Author:** ![Colleen](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/community.particle.io/colleen/32/26785_2.png) [@Colleen](https://community.particle.io/u/Colleen)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2023, 7:35pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/spark-core-v1-worth-keeping/63795/4 "2023-01-09T19:35:52Z")
> [@Brungle](#): > > I was hoping to get my 8 year old tinkering but I don’t think I can do anything with these now and I’m best buying something else? I agree with Rick about waiting for Photon 2 but in the meantime I highly recommend using [Snap Circuits](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008BFZH/?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=AwEAAAAAAAAAAQ06&th=1) as a starting point for electronic tinkering with kids. I got my niece hooked on them when she was around 8 and it was great for basic concepts, especially since it's enough of a toy that she felt confident trying different circuits on her own. After that it's much easier to move to playing around with photons. Also Sparkfun has a really cool Doctor Who themed inventors kit that seems like a blast if your kid has any interest in Doctor Who. ---
**Author:** ![Brungle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f04885/32.png) [@Brungle](https://community.particle.io/u/Brungle)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2023, 11:13pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/spark-core-v1-worth-keeping/63795/5 "2023-01-22T23:13:31Z")
thank you, I did get him the Hotwires snap kit for christmas and he is enjoying tinkering with it, it is what reminded me about the spark cores. 👍 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/particle/original/3X/6/4/64635adccc35238caa19e9b553ec3e98b163d026.png) [@system](https://community.particle.io/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 11:13am UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/spark-core-v1-worth-keeping/63795/6 "2023-07-24T11:13:58Z")
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