Quote
vegasloki
I think the docs issue and hoping you get what you need in a kit has more to do with the buyer's expectations and how well they have researched what they need. In DIY one needs to be responsible for knowing what they need and how to put it together. You are basically buying raw parts at that point.
Exactly the issue that I was trying to point out. If you buy a SainSmart kit, don't expect it to be anything more than a pile of parts (literally) heaped into a box. No instructions, no jumper caps, no stepper motor connectors, and no after-sale support. It isn't like assembling a PC from parts with idiot-proof connectors, and I'm trying to clarify this misconception.
I've seen too many people turn up here after having purchased these bundles and realizing that they are in way over their head, looking for a bail out on wiring/firmware or a shortcut to get around not having a basic multimeter to tune the A4988 stepper drivers. As you suggested, buying a complete printer from a regional vendor that offers tech support is the best way to start if you don't have the electronics background or experience. In the long run, you will save yourself a lot of grief.
In my case, I have hand-soldered surface mount components, written firmware and device drivers, breadboarded my share of TTL circuits, and know how an RS-232 connection works. I knew very well what I was getting into when I started, and was confident that I would be successful when I accepted the challenge. The missing jumper caps and stepper motor connectors were just nuisances, since I had to source them after receiving SainSmart bundle. The biggest frustration on my part was that I couldn't find my wire wrap tool to save my life, and Radio Shack doesn't sell them any more. I was going to wire wrap the micro-step setting pins when I ran out of jumper caps in my parts drawer.....