TinkerVault Arduino Compatible Nano V3.0

It appears that the FTDI chip on the two boards I purchased is not recognized by the FTDI drivers that are installed on Windows 7 or with OS X Yosemite. I did play around for a few hours trying to get an older set of FTDI drivers to work in both operating systems but with no success. Just before upgrading to Yosemite (on Mountain Lion) I did get the boards to function with an older FTDI driver. However, that has now been blocked in Yosemite.This isn't a show stopper in all cases though. I had an Uno setting around and loaded up the "Arduino as ISP" sketch and use the ISP headers on the TinkerVault Nano and could easily do an "Upload using Programmer" or burn a new bootloader on the device.So, the ATMEGA chip works just fine. The workmanship on the device is acceptable. it runs beautifully. The only irritation is that the FTDI chip would not work which means direct programming of nano or using the serial monitor isn't possible. So, I program and debug with an Arduino Micro which is readily recognized and then upload using an Arduino ISP.I like that the headers come separate so that I don't have to desolder them if I don't want a set of headers on the arduino.You just need to know you are buying a "compatible" Arduino and that they may have some limitations in the FTDI driver support. the two I have will not connect directly.Would I buy it again? Most likely. The bulk of the device works exactly as expected.

Was initially excited. Soldered the headers on, hooked it up to the computer and it appeared promptly on COM 7. Loaded a blink sketch to make sure it was working fine, and was happy to see my LED blink away. Went to load a datalogging sketch, and the COM port disappeared. Tried to update the driver, tried different USB ports, tried a different computer, but nothing fixed the problem. Power LED comes on, but it simply won't talk to the computer, nor is the blink sketch I put on there running anymore. Am leaving this review at one star until we see how customer service goes.Edit 10/7/2014: Per this thread, this may not be a manufacturing issue. http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?PHPSESSID=ajpqo7es5ne00q39p64hktvar7&topic=270175.0 In short, many nanos are not being recognized for a reason that is unclear. Revise to 4 stars for the time.

First, the board needs a workaround to load the FTDI driver, since the chip is a counterfeit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPdSKT6KdF8). Next, I could not get the Arduino IDE to load any sketches, as it keeps saying the board is out-of-sync. I tried resetting the board before uploading, after uploading, etc, and it still does not work. The leds are blinking, but it will not communicate with the uploader.This "arduino" just does not work. STAY AWAY!

This device has a counterfeit FTDI chip that is permanently disabled by the latest Windows update. The latest driver from FTDI detects counterfeit chips and permanently disables them. Do not buy this Arduino. FTDI has recommendations about brands and vendors that use authentic FTDI chips. The fake chip on the board says "FTDI" but there are subtle differences between it and a real FTDI chip.

This is in fact a counterfeit device. I have had 2 bricked now that were not recoverable by any means that I've found. I've rewritten the bootloader, used the older driver install, PID reset, drivers with zerod PID, etc... This product may work for you early on, but newer FTDI drivers will brick it.I can't get a refund via amazon. Very unhappy.

Great for the price!

Product as described.

buy arduino, this is the second one I bought and they don't connect with usb problems, the ftr232 no drivers installed problem.I bought this to try them but they don't work.