Pololu USB AVR Programmer v2.1

This is a very reliable programmer. I had a lot of failures with a few Chinese programmers. But since I use this programmer, those problems are over.

Tried this out the box with a spare ATTiny85 initially, installing software from Pololu website, but realised that the driver with the "AVR Development bundle" or maybe config utility does not work with this programmer properly.Took some poking around and uninstalling the bundle and reinstalling with v2 software and drivers for Windows (9mb MSI), but then the configuration utility did pick up the board. Need to set regulator mode to 5v and VCC output to enabled (unless chip has external/different power source), but after that worked straight away in Arduino IDE with programmer set to Atmel STK500 dev board. Haven't tried in anything else yet but if works in one IDE then should work in all.Recommended but may need to look up a bit of extra info as no instructions with device and those on website are not great. Make sure to download the V2 Software and Drivers from the manufacturer website rather than bundle as config utility in the bundle does not work (with Windows at least).

Ok so these are great, it works as it should do. My only real gripe is this should have been included with the 3pi. As the 3Pi is useless without it. Luckily I managed to get a 3pi on clearance at £20 so £12 more for this isnt too much of a sting. But with good quality chinese robots that have everything and do more than the 3pi running at aruond £50+ (see elegoo for example) this makes the 3pi and this interface at full price not a good purchase. If you wish to add bluetooth and ultrasonics to the 3pi then you had best get a second mortgage as you will most likely hit another £80 easily.Dont get me wrong the 3PI and this interface are high quality products, but they are simply over priced for what they can do out of the box. e.g. unable to program the 3pi without this interface, no ultrasonics (without another hefty purchase of multiple parts) on the 3pi, no bluetooth (without another hefty purchase of multiple parts and boards) on the 3pi.

All programmers based on the open-source design "USB ASP" fail to work properly* with 256k Flash devices (e.g. Mega2560), but this one actually WORKS PROPERLY. Also, as it uses a virtual serial port rather than bare USB, you are not at the mercy of driver-forcing bodges such as Zadig. Full marks!* - they get the pages confused, overlaying the top two pages on the bottom two, or failing to read the bottom two at all

I bought this as it was recommended for programming OpenEVSE vehicle charging stations, and it does the job perfectly.Good for EmonEVSE as well, as these use the same control board.

received this item quickly after purchasing it.works perfectly fine, however, it needed additional setup through its driver's software.Firstly i've tried to connect it to my CodeVision AVR IDE - this has been constantly failing to detect STK500 device.Then i tried Atmel Studio, and this one could "see" the STK500 at COM port connected but could't read programmator's signature. So, i decided to play with its settings. First thing i did was changing "Regulator mode" from "Auto" to "5V" (screenshot attached) - that's helped. Luckily i've got fully functional piece of hardware :)

Great bit of kit, allowed me to program up my openevse charger.

I got this working perfectly with the new Microchip Studio 7.This tool emulates the STK500, so you need to manually add it as a tool in Microchip Studio. To do this:1. Start with the tool unplugged.2. Open Device Manager, look under Ports to see which serial ports you currently have (might be none)3. Connect the tool and see which COM ports are added to your system. On my system it adds 2 ports COM5 and COM6. Make a note of the first one it adds (for me, COM5)4. Open Microchip Studio5. Follow the menu Tools -> Add Target6. Select STK500 and the COM port (for me, COM5) and confirm itAfter this, Tools -> Device Programming should show the AVR programmer as an STK500.Don't forget to increase the ISP speed if the oscillator of your target board allows it for faster programming.