Review on SMAKN® MICRO 4 Channel Module Control by Chris Rigsby

I'm new to these computer controlled USB modules, but I've noticed that there are many variations that use different protocols to communicate with the computer. This module appears as a virtual COM port and is controlled by sending hex commands to this port via a terminal program or other program. Some relay modules come with a warning that the relays will cycle on and off during computer startup, and I found this to be an unacceptable feature for my application. I am happy to report that this module does not suffer from this switching effect on startup. The relays each start in the known "OFF" state. However, the next time my control application is closed and reopened, I cannot reestablish communication with this relay module without physically disconnecting the USB cable or completely shutting down the computer. A restart does not restore communication, this can only be done by restarting the device. To make matters worse, when my applications try to connect a second time, all the relays go to the "ON" state and stay that way until a power cycle returns the device to the default "OFF" state. brings back. Not being an expert, I don't know if this is a bug in my application or this product. Accept this information at all costs and good luck! Updated 06/11/2016. I contacted the seller for an up to date list of serial commands this module would accept and it didn't help. It gave me useless information that gives no indication of how the computer should "talk" to this module, making it unsuitable for writing your own batch files. My additional requests were ignored. You need to use the developer provided windows based utility to control this. This utility is not included in the package. There is no documentation where to download the utility. The lack of necessary information on how to use this device forces me to downgrade my rating from 3 to 1 star.