If you're looking to play with PICAXE microcontrollers on a computer with only USB, look no further! The PICAXE USB programming cable allows PICAXE micros to be programmed from any platform (Windows and Linux). The cable has the FT232R embedded into the USB connector and will show up on your computer as a new COM port. If you're using Windows you'll need to install some drivers, which can be found on the PICAXE download page below, it's really easy!
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Based on 10 ratings:
1 of 1 found this helpful:
Load the drivers, plug in the cable, get a new serial port, run the IDE, select that serial port, start downloading to the PICAXE.
Works perfectly with the PICAXE 8 Pin Proto Kit, which (sigh) SparkFun doesn't seem to carry any more.
It set up quickly and was recognized by the programming editor and connected with the bread boards and identified the PICAXE chip connected. I was able to program and modify programming in real time on the projects.
Hardware and software worked well the first time. No hassles
Ideal para descargar los programas al microcontrolador PICAXE, una conexión sencilla por USB y el cable tiene la longitud correcta.
Funciona a la perfección!
Cable is perfect - five star, but shipping was slow.
The cable is working fine. I have been exploring programming the PICAXE 08M2+ chip in accordance with some experiments in "Make: Electronics". Thanks for your assistance. -- Tony G.
Installing the software driver was a little confusing for a 75 year old but I figured it out. The cable works perfectly every time.
It does the job it was designed for perfectly.
It works great and standardizes the means to program the Picaxe family of mpu's. Serial ports are becoming obsolete on laptops whereas USB ports are taking over. This is a big PLUS.
I works as it should. I have a good number of products from PicAxe, and they all work well. Sparkfun should sell more PicAxe products. Would be better than waiting for a month for customs to clear it from Europe.
25 bucks for a cable?!?!?! Whoa! I hope that's a typo!
I suggest reading the description BEFORE commenting.
"The cable has the FT232R embedded into the USB connector and will show up on your computer as a new COM port."
If that doesn't click I suggest looking at the datasheet. If you really don't want to fork over $25 bucks try out SF's USB Programmer. It's only $15 dollars.
Sure, I guess, but if you add up the cost of the chip and the cables, it doesn't come close to $25. Maybe you could consider it a breakout board, but in my mind, my point is still valid.
Remember, Rev Edu (as far as I know) makes most of its profit off of accessories for the Picaxe, they can hardly make money charging a couple cents for loading a different bootloader on a PIC micro. Personally, I don't mind supporting a company like Rev Edu because of what they have done for the DIY robotics community. If you don't like the expensive cable just find a computer with a serial port or get a cheaper USB to serial adapter. Like this http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9260
Did you take into account Shipping? Shipping from RobotShop is close to $13; only $6 from SF.
The cable is $21 from RobotShop so it comes out to be the same, if not a little more from RS.
FLIR sells a cable for $250 dlls and is just a 25 ft cable. I dont know why everybody sells cables at very expensive prices
And you should probably include it in Development Tools/PICAXE category
Is it possible to hook up an FTDI basic to a TRS audion breakout to emulate one of these?
Personally, I think its a little expensive :(
I'm really REALLY new to this, so forgive the question. But, can you use the FTDI friend to program the chip?
The drivers from picaxe don't work, unless this isn't the AXE027_USB_Driver cable.
SparkFun's price is high. The AXE027 is $19.95 at RobotShop. I'm sure thay are not selling them at a loss. I buy these frequently for a PICAXE class and because of the large price difference, I must order them from RobotShop. I would like to buy them from SparkFun. Instead of being defensive, how about lowering the price to something the same or closer to that of the competition?
You also must consider that robotshop is an international corporation and that they probably carry some of Sparkfun's stuff. You also could realize that they have huge warehouses, and can get discounts for buying things in bulk #s that would fill up Sparkfun's warehouse. Or is there more than one warehouse!?!?
Think about shipping costs. Just put this in your cart w/o any other items and calculate shipping. Now look at S/H costs from RobotShop.