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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: synerr on Fri, 24 January 2014, 18:26:57
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http://www.banggood.com/Micro-R3-ATmega32u4-Microcontroller-Board-With-USB-Cable-For-Arduino-p-911099.html
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why not pro micro $5 usd
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This one has more IO pins and a physical reset switch available. Depends on what your project needs I guess.
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These Micros and Pro Micros are so hard to flash with firmware, I don't know why anyone even bothers with them, just to save a few bucks.
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These Micros and Pro Micros are so hard to flash with firmware, I don't know why anyone even bothers with them, just to save a few bucks.
Really? What does it entail to flash software to them? Also, are they reliable once programmed? I might have to reconsider using them if that is the case. I'd be using them because 10 for $50 is much better than 10 for $200.
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I found it kinda tricky and counterintuitive to flash a pro micro that I got, but for $5 I can't complain. Works well as long as you don't put too much stress on the usb plug.. might want to glue it down before using.
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I found it kinda tricky and counterintuitive to flash a pro micro that I got, but for $5 I can't complain. Works well as long as you don't put too much stress on the usb plug.. might want to glue it down before using.
Do you have any tutorials on how to do it? Mine came in the mail today ^-^
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I found it kinda tricky and counterintuitive to flash a pro micro that I got, but for $5 I can't complain. Works well as long as you don't put too much stress on the usb plug.. might want to glue it down before using.
How so? What was the process to flash it? Was it hard to find software? Hard to use software? Did it require an additional piece of hardware or physical modification to work correctly?
Also, good to know on the USB.
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Simplest process I've found so far for flashing pro micros is to short the reset and ground pins, then use avrdude from the command line. It would be easier with a button, but on a breadboard you can just have a wire hanging off reset that you touch on the USB connector ;)
Once it's settled on a serial port (COM8 in this example), this rune works to load firmware.hex:
avrdude -patmega32u4 -cavr109 -PCOM8 -Uflash:w:firmware.hex
Installing a version of the Arduino software gets you the device driver and avrdude. Perhaps we should put together a mini-install?
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Simplest process I've found so far for flashing pro micros is to short the reset and ground pins, then use avrdude from the command line. It would be easier with a button, but on a breadboard you can just have a wire hanging off reset that you touch on the USB connector ;)
Once it's settled on a serial port (COM8 in this example), this rune works to load firmware.hex:
avrdude -patmega32u4 -cavr109 -PCOM8 -Uflash:w:firmware.hex
Installing a version of the Arduino software gets you the device driver and avrdude. Perhaps we should put together a mini-install?
yes please!
More people are buying the pro micro now, it'll be great to have this.
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These Micros and Pro Micros are so hard to flash with firmware, I don't know why anyone even bothers with them, just to save a few bucks.
Jeez, grandad!
$40 gets me 2 Teensy or 5 Micro or 8 Pro Micro. Hmm.
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I would be very interested as well, if mines show up ... but I have faith!
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I would be very interested as well, if mines show up ... but I have faith!
Took them 2.5 weeks to arrive, but they're here
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My experience with the Banggood Arduino micros is that they have really sketchy reset buttons and may be running an older version of the bootloader.
They basically work, but they appear to be unlicensed clones using the Arduino mark without permission.
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why not pro micro $5 usd
Closer replacement to the Leonardo
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These Micros and Pro Micros are so hard to flash with firmware, I don't know why anyone even bothers with them, just to save a few bucks.
In what way? I've never had a problem with my Leonardo.
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These Micros and Pro Micros are so hard to flash with firmware, I don't know why anyone even bothers with them, just to save a few bucks.
In what way? I've never had a problem with my Leonardo.
Well, I finally managed to get Soarer's Keyboard Controller firmware flashed to mine last night using avrdude on Linux. I had tried the same method several times before (thanks scottc from Deskthority), but kept getting error messages. I just kept at it last night, over and over until it finally wrote the firmware without an error message stopping the process. It must have taken 20 or more attempts to get it successfully flashed.
Teensy - first time, every time. To me, the frustration of dealing with this Pro Micro isn't worth the monetary savings. But that's just like, my opinion, man.
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These Micros and Pro Micros are so hard to flash with firmware, I don't know why anyone even bothers with them, just to save a few bucks.
In what way? I've never had a problem with my Leonardo.
Well, I finally managed to get Soarer's Keyboard Controller firmware flashed to mine last night using avrdude on Linux. I had tried the same method several times before (thanks scottc from Deskthority), but kept getting error messages. I just kept at it last night, over and over until it finally wrote the firmware without an error message stopping the process. It must have taken 20 or more attempts to get it successfully flashed.
Teensy - first time, every time. To me, the frustration of dealing with this Pro Micro isn't worth the monetary savings. But that's just like, my opinion, man.
Is it possible to do the same with Windows?
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These Micros and Pro Micros are so hard to flash with firmware, I don't know why anyone even bothers with them, just to save a few bucks.
In what way? I've never had a problem with my Leonardo.
Well, I finally managed to get Soarer's Keyboard Controller firmware flashed to mine last night using avrdude on Linux. I had tried the same method several times before (thanks scottc from Deskthority), but kept getting error messages. I just kept at it last night, over and over until it finally wrote the firmware without an error message stopping the process. It must have taken 20 or more attempts to get it successfully flashed.
Teensy - first time, every time. To me, the frustration of dealing with this Pro Micro isn't worth the monetary savings. But that's just like, my opinion, man.
Is it possible to do the same with Windows?
Yes, I think you can use Soarer's post for guidance. You probably have to install Arduino IDE first, to get the drivers and the avrdude software.
Simplest process I've found so far for flashing pro micros is to short the reset and ground pins, then use avrdude from the command line. It would be easier with a button, but on a breadboard you can just have a wire hanging off reset that you touch on the USB connector ;)
Once it's settled on a serial port (COM8 in this example), this rune works to load firmware.hex:
avrdude -patmega32u4 -cavr109 -PCOM8 -Uflash:w:firmware.hex
Installing a version of the Arduino software gets you the device driver and avrdude. Perhaps we should put together a mini-install?
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Well, I finally managed to get Soarer's Keyboard Controller firmware flashed to mine last night using avrdude on Linux. I had tried the same method several times before (thanks scottc from Deskthority), but kept getting error messages. I just kept at it last night, over and over until it finally wrote the firmware without an error message stopping the process. It must have taken 20 or more attempts to get it successfully flashed.
Teensy - first time, every time. To me, the frustration of dealing with this Pro Micro isn't worth the monetary savings. But that's just like, my opinion, man.
Not sure why so many seem to have gotten a bit worked up about this.
I needed a smaller factor alternative to my Leonardo (Olimexino-32U4 really) and that micro fitted the bill and was, in my opinion, a good by hence my post in case anybody was spending two or three times as much for the same thing.
To date I have only used my Olimexino from the Arduino IDE running my own code using the Arduino stock Keyboard and Mouse libraries for various bits and pieces. I always have a safety 'jumper' where the device will only enter keyboard/mouse functionality if that pulled up pin is low. Not once have I had an issue with the device not accepting programming (as long as I was referencing the correct device).
Ah well
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I don't see any need to get worked up about it either. Leonardo etc. programming works great if you stay completely within the Arduino universe, but any arguments here are considering a n00b wanting to simply load a .hex onto a device. Teensy wins on that count, no question. OTOH it's not super hard to get avrdude working, just a bit cryptic for a n00b, and once it's working it's almost as easy to reflash as Teensy.
I think having a variety of '32U4 boards is great, to fit different needs. Even made a thread (http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/teensy-2-0-alternatives-atmega32u4-t4253.html) about them ;)
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My experience with the Banggood Arduino micros is that they have really sketchy reset buttons and may be running an older version of the bootloader.
They basically work, but they appear to be unlicensed clones using the Arduino mark without permission.
Good to know I will come back after I receive mine. Besides the Olimexino-32U4 I have an original UNO R3 SMD and a Fake Mega 2560 and UNO R3.
One of the reasons that I went with this purchase was that the website did not claim that this is an Arduino licensed product but rather just compatible and the picture did not show any Arduino links or trade marks.
I don't see any need to get worked up about it either. Leonardo etc. programming works great if you stay completely within the Arduino universe, but any arguments here are considering a n00b wanting to simply load a .hex onto a device. Teensy wins on that count, no question. OTOH it's not super hard to get avrdude working, just a bit cryptic for a n00b, and once it's working it's almost as easy to reflash as Teensy.
I find it terribly annoying on many boards and channels. As soon as someone who is not part of the established old guard says something or asks something that shakes the jeopardises the status quo of the perfect world according to them hoards of chiwawas come out to yap at the heel. Gets tiring.
I think having a variety of '32U4 boards is great, to fit different needs. Even made a thread (http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/teensy-2-0-alternatives-atmega32u4-t4253.html) about them ;)
Cool work! Bookmarked. Been spending some of my limited free time getting my head around USB and the Linux input stack. To date, from an electronics perspective, to date, I have only toyed with some code for Arduino. I do have plans for a handful of projects and may want to move away from Arduino and graduate to coding directly for the avr or pic, which decision may boil down to flexibility of the development environment on Linux.
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Maybe this is a good place to post this:
Five pro micros shipped from within US for $22.37... not too bad if you want a few of them. And it shouldn't take as long as it does from China if you are in the US. I just ordered, so I'll see how it goes.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221391505446&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221391505446&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160)
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Maybe this is a good place to post this:
Five pro micros shipped from within US for $22.37... not too bad if you want a few of them. And it shouldn't take as long as it does from China if you are in the US. I just ordered, so I'll see how it goes.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221391505446&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221391505446&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160)
I got in on this.
Got a good looking shipping notification via email the very next morning. I have high hopes that this is an awesome seller.
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same here. mine should be in on Friday. I won't get a chance to play with them this weekend though.
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Maybe this is a good place to post this:
Five pro micros shipped from within US for $22.37... not too bad if you want a few of them. And it shouldn't take as long as it does from China if you are in the US. I just ordered, so I'll see how it goes.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221391505446&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221391505446&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160)
I got in on this.
Got a good looking shipping notification via email the very next morning. I have high hopes that this is an awesome seller.
Just how good of an iron do you need to be able to use those? Mine is some random cheap thing barely adequate for moving switches around.
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I plan to make them into soarer converters, so I only need 4 connections.
The biggest issue I have with soldering teensy, etc is that it requires a pretty thin tip, as the pads don't have much space. If you want, you can get your shipped to me, I'll solder on the headers and mail them to you. Then you can just get some connectors and not have to solder at all.
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Got a package today with five little bundles in it. Pro Micros are here, and they appear to power up at least. I am happy with this ebay seller. Got them shipped in three days for $4.48 each. Pics:
(http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae156/jbedwell81/20140314_203606_zps48ef8a99.jpg) (http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae156/jbedwell81/20140314_203716_zps4f9f3562.jpg) (http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae156/jbedwell81/20140314_203738_zpsc5b2ec7b.jpg)
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Yeah I received mine as well, Haven't tested them yet, but I have been very impressed with the seller, ship time (time from when I paid to when they mailed it out), packing condition, bundled extras (pre-cut legs, etc) and all that jazz.
I'm going to load soarer's code on all of them and make a ton of PS2 ot USB converters with them. Maybe I'll even make a 4704 / pingmaster converter. Who knows: the sky is the limit!
gonna do pretty much the same. I want to use them as internal dedicated converters for some WYSE boards, and maybe use one to USB mod a Model M.
I forgot! I have a WY-30 that I've been wanting to mod to USB pretty much since I first joined GH. This is perfect.
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gonna do pretty much the same. I want to use them as internal dedicated converters for some WYSE boards, and maybe use one to USB mod a Model M.
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Awesome. I ordered a set as well, and I don't even have an immediate need for any of them. Figured at some point I'd mod both my AT F's to USB, convert two terminal M's, maybe even get that modern day unsaver set up. Well hell, guess I do have some need for them.
Sure I'll find a use somewhere else for my Teensy that's currently on my DD AT F.
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One business day shipping, these things look good so far, which is to say they light up.
Is there any kind of diagnostic / smoke test that can be run on these to test their health?
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One business day shipping, these things look good so far, which is to say they light up.
Is there any kind of diagnostic / smoke test that can be run on these to test their health?
I'd just check to see that I can successfully load some code onto them.
The pro micro doesn't have a led on pin 13 like the other Arduinos so the standard blink program won't appear to do anything. Load this code (https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/pro-micro--fio-v3-hookup-guide/example-1-blinkies) onto it to see if that works. I'd say it works fine if you can successfully do that. Remember that with the Pro Micro you have to quickly double tap between the RST pin and GND to get to the bootloader.
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What's the secret to getting the driver installed on 64-bit Windows 7?
Edit2: The drivers here seem to be working: https://github.com/sparkfun/SF32u4_boards/blob/master/driver/ProMicro.inf
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Got a package today with five little bundles in it. Pro Micros are here, and they appear to power up at least. I am happy with this ebay seller. Got them shipped in three days for $4.48 each.
Looks at your pics. Note the bags say "Pro Mini Atmega328P"?
Mine do too. The boards inside are all "Pro Micro", but freaked me out for a minute there....
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What's the secret to getting the driver installed on 64-bit Windows 7?
Edit2: The drivers here seem to be working: https://github.com/sparkfun/SF32u4_boards/blob/master/driver/ProMicro.inf
I'm using Win7 64bit and it just worked™.
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What's the secret to getting the driver installed on 64-bit Windows 7?
Edit2: The drivers here seem to be working: https://github.com/sparkfun/SF32u4_boards/blob/master/driver/ProMicro.inf
I'm using Win7 64bit and it just worked™.
Which driver?
And again with the edit: WEIRD. After installing a couple of different drivers, went back to the Sparkfun driver, installed it, doing the *SAME THING* as I was doing before and now it is working.
I'm going to chalk it up to a cable problem or windows hating me.
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What's the secret to getting the driver installed on 64-bit Windows 7?
Edit2: The drivers here seem to be working: https://github.com/sparkfun/SF32u4_boards/blob/master/driver/ProMicro.inf
I'm using Win7 64bit and it just worked™.
Which driver?
And again with the edit: WEIRD. After installing a couple of different drivers, went back to the Sparkfun driver, installed it, doing the *SAME THING* as I was doing before and now it is working.
I'm going to chalk it up to a cable problem or windows hating me.
Not sure... Maybe "Arduino Leonardo", from memory? I think it came up with the "checking windows update for drivers" message when I first plugged it in. The Pro Micros I got off ebay mentioned the bootloader in the description: "Leonardo Pro Micro ATmega32U4 IDE 1.0.3 Bootloader replace Mini for Arduino".
They can be fiddly at times, with the double-tap bootloader thing (https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/pro-micro--fio-v3-hookup-guide/troubleshooting-and-faq#ts-reset). I think most of the problem is Windows taking an eternity to recognize a new COM port when it appears. By the time it's recognized, the 8 seconds is almost up. I have a strong suspicion that they are much easier to work with under linux. What would be really good is if, after the double-tap, it would just stay in bootloader mode, like when you push the reset button on a Teensy or an Arduino Micro. I don't understand why they don't do that.