So you're a Noob? Post your questions here until you graduate! Don't be shy.

User avatar
By bmetasonic
#61236 Hello

I'm new to this forum and I want to start playing with these4 modules.

I would like to buy some of these modules but I do not know wich one is the best one. I want to do a single purchase to save on shipping.

My main features would be: Flashable, Breadboard Friendly and compatibility. Also speed? I read that some are not fast enough to be flashable?

I got with several USB to UART bridge, but I want to select the most compatible one
Those are:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201743743504 This one uses CH340G

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311413475392 This one uses CH340

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201542946669 This one uses CP2102

Wich one is the newest and most compatible?
Thanks
User avatar
By alex_g
#61240 Hey - I'm a newbie myself, so perhaps I shouldn't even be answering. However...

I do have the second one on your list, which I think is generally known as the devkit 0.9, and it's been working absolutely fine and flashing without any problems for quite a while now (it's the first one I got). I am happy with it and did all my early prototyping and learning of Lua on it. That said, whereas it will fit on a regular breadboard, it spans the whole width, so if you needed to connect anything, you'd have to use holes that are covered by the board. Doable, with some thinking ahead, but not convenient. OTOH, I am using a six-hole-per-bank, 4-bank breadboard and on that one it works a treat. Very handy and easy. I don't know if those breadboards are rare, I just got it from Maplin UK down the road from me.

Another good thing about these (0.9s), is that there must be a surplus, so they are available really cheap, I think the 3rd one you mention can cost 50%-100% more. They (the 3rd one) are, however, the latest model, they sit better on a regular breadboard, and (I think?) have some more pins. They seem to be called devkit 1.0. If I were buying one for prototyping now, that's what I'd get, but if you want a whole lot and 0.9 covers your needs it may be cheaper.

The first one you show, I think is a bit controversial, so not really my place to say anything. Look up "Lolin" on this forum and make up your own mind.