Crystal Kit (15): How to Pick and Use Common Frequencies
By Official Hobby Components Online Store | Buy Electronic Kits, Components, Boards, Shields, Modules | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: Buying Guides
Learn how to choose and use the 15-value quartz crystal assortment, from HC-49 frequency options to load capacitance and crystal vs resonator decisions.
Quick answer
Buy the Crystal Kit (15) if you want a compact, low-cost quartz crystal assortment for breadboarding, repairs, and microcontroller clocks; choose individual crystals instead when you need a specific load capacitance, tolerance, or package size that the kit does not document.
Why these four frequencies cover many hobby projects
The kit includes 4.000 MHz, 6.000 MHz, 12.288 MHz, and 16.000 MHz crystals, one of each. That spread lets you handle several common jobs without ordering a single part: 4 MHz and 6 MHz suit low-speed oscillators and timers, 12.288 MHz is a useful clock reference for serial and audio-related dividers, and 16 MHz is a familiar choice for microcontroller timing.
The trade-off is depth. One crystal per value means you cannot build two identical 16 MHz boards from one kit, and you do not get a spare if you damage a lead. Treat the kit as a starter assortment, not a production supply.
Crystal vs resonator: when the kit is the right call
A quartz crystal generally gives tighter frequency accuracy than a ceramic resonator, but it usually needs external load capacitors and a bit more care in layout. A resonator often integrates capacitors and is more forgiving, which is why it appears in cost-sensitive or space-constrained designs.
If your project already specifies a crystal and you can accommodate two load capacitors, the kit gives you the frequency without buying a resonator you would have to redesign around. If you need the simplest possible clock and accuracy is not critical, a resonator may still be the better fit.
Load capacitance is the missing specification
The supplied catalog facts do not list load capacitance, tolerance, or package type for the kit crystals. That absence matters: the load capacitors you choose depend on the crystal's specified load capacitance, and guessing can pull the frequency or prevent reliable startup.
Use the kit for experiments where a small frequency error is acceptable, or measure the actual frequency in your circuit before committing. For a design that must meet a tight timing budget, buy a crystal whose datasheet states load capacitance and tolerance.
Decision rules for using the crystal kit
- Pick 16 MHz for a microcontroller clock: Choose the 16.000 MHz crystal when your microcontroller or board expects a 16 MHz crystal and you can add the load capacitors your circuit requires. Verify the startup behavior on your breadboard before soldering. If the board specifies a resonator instead, do not substitute the crystal without checking the oscillator circuit.
- Pick 4 MHz or 6 MHz for low-speed timing: Use 4.000 MHz or 6.000 MHz for simple oscillators, timers, or dividers where a lower clock keeps current draw and layout demands modest. These values are also handy as test clocks when troubleshooting.
- Pick 12.288 MHz for divided serial or audio clocks: The 12.288 MHz value divides neatly toward common serial and audio-related rates. Use it when your circuit needs a reference that can be divided down, and confirm the divider chain on paper first.
- Choose a resonator instead when simplicity wins: If you want a clock with integrated capacitors and looser layout requirements, a ceramic resonator is the lower-risk choice. Keep the crystal kit for projects where the crystal's accuracy is worth the extra components.
- Buy individual crystals when you need documented specs: If your design depends on a stated load capacitance, tolerance, or package size, select a crystal with a datasheet rather than relying on the kit's undocumented parts. The kit is best for experimentation and repair. Order a spare of any frequency you plan to solder, since the kit gives only one of each.
Product facts
- Crystal Kit (15): The kit contains fifteen individually packaged quartz crystal resonators, including one each of 4.000 MHz, 6.000 MHz, 12.288 MHz, and 16.000 MHz. You get a small spread of common frequencies for prototyping and repairs without ordering single values.
Crystal Kit (15)
Who should buy the Crystal Kit (15)
Best for
- Hobbyists who want a small assortment of common quartz crystals for breadboarding and repairs
- Makers building microcontroller projects that call for a 16 MHz or 4 MHz crystal
- Anyone who needs a low-cost way to try crystal-based oscillators before committing to a specific part
Not for
- Production runs that need documented load capacitance, tolerance, or package specifications
- Projects that require more than one crystal of the same frequency
- Designs where a ceramic resonator's integrated capacitors and simpler layout are the better fit
