MakerFocus Pre-Soldered Nano V3.0 Board ATmega328P Microcontroller CH340 Chip 5V 16M with USB Cable Compatible with Arduino IDE(Mini USB B Port)

Works with the standard arduino software. Price is ok. I bought a plug in pcb board with screws for wiring to make it easier to wire up. All those pins together make it difficult to solder if you have fat fingers like I do or two left thumbs :)

I did most of my prototyping for a project on a recently purchased name brand Arduino Nano, but I wanted to buy a less expensive controller for the final project due to its physical location and potential to be damaged or stolen. This is the first non-name brand board I've used and had no issues with it. It is important to note that this board uses the old bootloader, so my first few attempts to write the project failed with a slightly unclear communication error from the IDE before the lightbulb went off in my head and I realized the bootloader needed to be switched (my name brand board uses the new bootloader). After that trivial stumbling block, I've had absolutely no issues with this board and will likely buy another for a future project.

It's a small kit and is effective for it's reasonable price, the retro micro usb cable was worth it imo.

Is as was ordered

In spite of it's shortcomings in terms of documentation, quite possibly my favorite nano clone. Great price, and it's a solid, well assembled unit.Firstly, it's mostly just the form factor that I love: Easy to bread board, small enough to put into most any project, and wire wrap for permanent use (or desolder the headers). Uno power in a much smaller form factor, and USB programming.My first gripe was that they used to ship in non-ESD safe packaging. My As of Jul 25, 2015, most recent order shipped in ESD safe packaging, BIG IMPROVEMENT. Well done Elisona. You get a star back for that.My second gripe is clearly with the seller: The seller does not document in the product description that it doesn't use the FTDI chip and instead uses a WCH340G usb chip. Nor does the seller provide source URL for the WCH340G driver set in the product description or with the product/packaging. Also since the product is being sold multi-nationally, and specifically to the US, the seller should go through the trouble of arranging for a US language site for the drivers and English language data sheet on the WCH340G USB serial chip IMHO.This should be documented in the product description; this is a CRITICAL MATERIAL DIFFERENCE between it and a genuine Arduino Nano and what they describe. And may make the unit unusable/unsuitable for certain applications that one would otherwise assume it is given the product description.Beware: The WCH340G does occasionally freak out USB if direct connected as it draws more power than it should before identifying itself, occasionally causing a panic on the host system (in my case MacIntosh). Also if you intend to flash the USB to emulate another device (say a MIDI device, or as a USB host), you need to consider that you aren't using the FTDI chip, and that this may not be suitable or usable for your application. Use with a independently powered, optically isolated, USB hub for zero problems.I use this only with a optically isolated, independently powered, USB hub when downloading, a hub that can send a full amp down stream without issue.Last note: All the LED's on the board are RED, and very close together. I would prefer if power, were green, and the pin 13 led were another green or yellow or something other than the same color as the RX/TX lights and power light given their proximity.I really don't like it when vendors sell goods on amazon, and customers have to rely on other customers (and customers have to do the work of the vendor,) for basic information and support that should be provided by the vendor. I don't know if contributing knowledge continues this more than the criticism & lowered ratings (assuming the vendor bothers to read the reviews of their product,) helps correct it.I have several of these, and will likely have more in the future.Drivers: directly from the chip manufacturer (Chinese Language site):WCH 340 product home page: http://www.wch.cn/product/CH340.htmlhttp://www.wch.cn/download/CH341SER_LINUX_ZIP.html (linux should operate fine without the driver)http://www.wch.cn/download/CH341SER_MAC_ZIP.htmlhttp://www.wch-ic.com/download/list.asp?id=127 (windows)

Can communicate with serial through the USB port, works perfectly for my needs.

Frankly I’m appalled. I wouldn’t be as upset if the product just simply did not work, however upon plugging into my computer, it shorted itself out and has rendered my 5-Port USB hub a paperweight. Broken out of the box, damage done to my personal items, and above all, the chip is not even an authentic Chip! So if the product DID work, who’s to say it would even operate as it should? Knockoff boards are one thing, but this just seems to be punching a penny in every possible corner. I’m extremely upset and will not be doing business with this company again. Can’t even issue a refund because the board is in a landfill now somewhere.

The media could not be loaded. Worked great for my project, good affordable alternative to the original board but be advised must install drivers to make it work other than that good product.