🎉  Happy 13th Birthday Raspberry Pi!   🎂   1,000+ deals in store!   🥳
🎉  Happy 13th Birthday Raspberry Pi!   🎂   1,000+ deals in store!   🥳

Unicorn HAT HD

by Pimoroni

We've stepped up our LED game! Unicorn HAT HD crams 256 RGB LEDs, in a 16x16 matrix, onto a single HAT. High-definition rainbow goodness!

You can still use it for all of the same things as the regular Unicorn HAT, but with 4 times as many pixels it makes much more complex animations possible, including scrolling text, and even low resolution videos.

The bundled ninja diffuser makes the pixels look extra-shiny by providing some subtle diffusion, blurring the lines between each pixel. Simply use four of the nuts to space the diffuser slightly away from the HAT, and the other four to secure it.

The MagPi said that Unicorn HAT HAD had a "real wow factor" and that the "performance is excellent" in their five star review.

Features

  • 256 RGB LED pixels in a 16x16 matrix
  • Pixels driven by ARM STM32F and three STP16CPC26 LED drivers
  • Bundled ninja diffuser, plus nuts and bolts
  • Unicorn HAT HD pinout
  • Compatible with all 40-pin header Raspberry Pi models
  • Python library
  • Comes fully assembled
  • Schematic

The ARM chip on Unicorn HAT HD does all of the heavy lifting, meaning that you can just bung data to it and it'll take care of the rest. It acts as the man-in-the-middle between your Pi and the three STP16CPC26 LED drivers that actually drive the LEDs.

Software

Our Python library will have your Unicorn HAT HD pooping out high-definition rainbows in a jiffy. There's a stack of examples too, to show you how to create slick animations, simulate the Game of Life, a forest fire or a flickering candle, and even scroll text!

Notes

  • Photo-sensitivity warning: flashing, strobing, and patterns of lights may cause epileptic seizures. Always take care and immediately stop using if you feel unwell (dizziness, nausea, affected vision, eye twitching, disorientation).
  • Power: Unicorn HAT HD requires a >2A microUSB power supply for your Pi. We recommend the official Raspberry Pi power supply.

52 customer reviews

2 months ago
This case is perfect for the Zero2W. It comes with 3 top options including one that allows access to the IO field without having to open the case. Genius !!
by Nicholas about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
3 years ago
Perfect little case and nice that you get the 3 lids for varied uses. It arrived fast, was well packaged and the communications were spot on.
by Dave about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
Official case fo Pi Zero, It cames with 3 options, plain, for camera and for gpio. Pi zero doesn't get hot so it's not necessary any cooler option.
by luigi about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
Good case, good fit. I've used these before and have been happy with them. A little over-priced, perhaps, given that it's just a small piece of plastic and is nearly the price of a Pi Zero itself, but when you need a case it's a good choice.
by Richard about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
Fits great and the different lids are a great idea, but I wish the "closed" lid would fit on with the header installed to protect them a bit more if you decide not to use them after soldering it in...
by Anonymous about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
The Zero W just snaps straight into this perfectly, and doesn't have any issues - and three choices of lid mean versatile options for extensions via the pins, or closing it up prettily. Little rubber feet included are also appreciated, as is the space in the case to put a heatsink in.
by Tom about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
5 years ago
Fits absolutely perfect. Both the raspberry pi and the lids fit perfectly. Thanks to the thee (!) included lids you can immediately use it with the camera module or a pHat.
by Bert about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
5 years ago
Great case with a variety of lids. Doesn't quite get 5 stars as the slot for the camera cable can be very fiddly and puts quite a sharp kink in the cable it if you're looping the camera out of the case.
by Jonathon about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
5 years ago
Not much to say other than it does a good job of protecting the h/w while giving access to the ports. It is also easy to take apart if you need to remove / replace the micro SD card.
by Christopher about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
5 years ago
I bought this for a security camera project. It did the job very well. A bonus was the superb service I received from Pimoroni as always.
by E about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
5 years ago
The case is perfect! Easy to put together and looks stunning. Pimoroni supplied quick delivery and easy payment. After contacting them about a question, they replied within 24 hours!
by Jonah about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
5 years ago
Really quick delivery and excellent experience. Fit the pi zero w perfectly and also came with extra lids for use with camera or expansion pins.
by Sebastian about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
5 years ago
Very nice, high quality case, however it would be nice if there was a note that says how it only works with the official pi camera, not the mini one.
by Connor about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
6 years ago
I didn't realise this came with multiple lids, which is an added bonus on top of the already great quality and price. This fits the Pi Zero perfectly and looks nice to boot.
by Kevin about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
6 years ago
Purchase Pi-zero, Pi-3A+, Pi Camera NoIR, camera case and am super satisfied so far with the service and timely email responses especially from the UK office. Thanks to all the pirates in Support.
by NIO about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
7 years ago
There are some covers I never use and I'm getting quite a collection of them. It would be great to either opt-in for the covers required or, even better, opt-out of the ones I've already got too many of. Save the planet, one PiZero case cover at a time!
by Anonymous about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io
8 years ago
I used my Pi Zeros without a case until this one came along, the different lids make it extremely versatile. I use one with the camera, one with the header opening and one with the solid surface. Easy to access the pi if necessary and sturdy. It's now the standard issue with every Pi Zero I buy.
by Bertalan about Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case via REVIEWS.io

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