The cheapest and easiest device to flash that has been proofed to work?

[mg8x]

Hi there i have read many issues about this topic and i have found some of them old that the product on aliexpress is not listed anymore or the flashing part so confusing. so i want to hear from anyone that did it in current time and worked without problem. i will be grateful if you provided the link to the product and share how you did it.

[dschense]

This one is working: NRF51822 https://de.aliexpress.com/item/32826502025.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

just a little search for this device and you can buy 2-3 for this single pricing.

[dchristl]

Hello @mg8x ,

each device has its advantages and disadvantages. The NRF51822 chips are by far the most expensive and largest, and the batteries are relatively expensive as well. However, they have a long battery life. The ESP32 is affordable and versatile, but it's not available as a portable tracker (it needs to be soldered) and is very power-hungry. I use it for devices with their own power supply, such as my car. In my opinion, the best trackers are those with the ST17H66 chip. They are very affordable and usually come with batteries included. However, they are a bit more challenging to flash, and sometimes you may get other chips like the ST17H66T, which currently cannot be flashed.

I have bought these for example.

[mg8x]

I have used the esp32 its very easy to flash but as you said its power hungry and its large to its purpose.

For the ST17H66T as you said its challenging to flash I've read it and i was about to get headache from it and the first post link was not listed on aliexpress any more so it is like a gamble to buy random one especially when delivery for me costs more than the product it self it will worth if i bought 10 pcs at once. so i was wondering if anyone has already experienced with it so i can copy him.

I have bought these for example.

did it work?

[mg8x]

This one is working: NRF51822 https://de.aliexpress.com/item/32826502025.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

just a little search for this device and you can buy 2-3 for this single pricing.

i saw it but is it the same with this on alibaba?

[dchristl]

I have bought these for example.

did it work?

Yes, of course. I have nearly 10 of them and no problem with it. They had also prettier ones for 3€, but they are not available anymore. Like I said before, the flashing is a little bit complicated, but if you have done it once it is no problem anymore. You have to solder the 4 correct pins , connect to stc flasher (below 1€) except power , start to flash and connect power. Done. Sounds more complicated than it is. You get a device with battery for below 2€, that is really CHEAP and they are really small, too. But, it is just my opinion. I haven't order for a while, because I have enough, but it seems the current main problem is, that they are sending different (and random) chips, some of them are flashable, some not.

[mg8x]

Im so sorry to bother you and take your time but i would be grateful if you could share the devices, links and the process in easy detailed way especially the firmware part. Again sorry to bother you. An updated straightforward detail will be useful for the community also!!

[dchristl]

It is all in the link, I posted before. I also posted a link where you can buy the same I bought. I currently don't have time to write a better description.

[supaeasy]

@mg8x I wrote a very detailed step-by-step, though a little outdated, since I used openhaystack back then - but I think it is adaptable. Maybe it helps you.

[J0s3f]

I recently bought a few of this https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005006269319766.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.4.f29b5c5fI2G8SM&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu nrf51 devices and they work fine.