While browsing suppliers for FTDI chips at cheap singles prices, this offer caught our eye. Dontronics is selling FTDI FT232RQ for just AUD$2.45, which is near $2.50 USD. In many projects a USB to TTL converter chip is needed, and FTDI chips are the most common solution around. Both Digikey and Mouser sell the FT232R (QFN version) for $4.50, and this deal seemed attractive.

As per their statement, they had problems with a manufacturing company and there are several excess parts in their stock which they are selling at wholesale prices. At this time only 152 pcs are in stock, so grab a few chips for your present or future hacks.

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  4. If your board features broken out RX and TX pins then you can just hook up your bus pirate in pass through mode. Obviously slightly more inconvenient than on board USB -> UART. and limited to a maximum of 115200bps.

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  5. Yes but beware of the packaging. These are QFN. I.E Quad Flat (pack) No leads. Very hobbiest unfriendly and not the same foot print as what is used in the BPv3. For that get the SSOP part linked to by erdabyz.

    However I prefer the CP2102 as my benchmarks show they perform slightly better and last time I looked (some years ago) the driver was far more stable. The product linked by Raj is the real bargain here not withstanding the rather unfortunate USB spec defying type-A connector.

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