🔌 SainSmart XBee USB Adapter: Ultimate Connectivity for Arduino UNO MEGA R3 Mega2560 Duemilanove Nano Robot Review

I ordered two of these. One board is complete while the other is completely missing one of the two xbee connectors. What crappy quality control. Nobody looked at them after they were made. Now I have to deal with the return issue. I don't think I'll ever buy anything called "SainSmart" again.

Two of my USB xbee adapters stopped working after a Windows 7 update in early October. Literally a few hours later while trying to get it to work I came across the answer online. The genuine manufacturer of FT232 chips (FTDI chips) has released a Windows update driver that does not work with fake chips in the market. The new driver does not block them, as mentioned in the previous test, but simply makes it impossible for Windows to communicate with them. Apparently both of my Sainsmart USB…

I bought this to use with 2 XBee Pro (version 1). One connects to this module and the other connects to the Sainsmart XBee Arduino Shield installed in the Arduino Mega. While there are no instructions on the device, the Sainsmart website had initial instructions that got me to where I needed to be in Windows 7. Just plug the XBee into this module (use the shape outlines on this module to align the XBee). and plugging this module (which comes with the required cable!) into a USB port caused…

Connected to a PC; The drivers were not installed and Windows did not recognize them. I saw a link to install the drivers from the SainSmart website but there is no explicit download section. It seems possible to get them working, but I'll put them aside and return to the Xbee Shield, having finally figured out how to set it up to work with XCTU.

I'm only giving three stars because I was able to return the defective adapter and get a full refund. I bought three devices and only two worked. I've tried different USB ports, different computers, and tested XBEE devices that I've confirmed work. Interestingly, this particular block was packaged in a regular small zip-lock bag, while the other two functional blocks were packaged in individually sealed anti-static bags. replace it with a function block instead.

I took this little adapter to test my XBee adapters for a wireless project. This worked great, even to salvage a locked XBee module. It also includes holes for regular serial lines, which are also great for testing my GPS module. Everyone should have one on hand.

This product is counterfeit, the USB driver doesn't recognize it, I've tried both the latest and old drivers with no success. I'm on Windows 7, unfortunately I bought it before the 2 star reviews came out. I messed it up. The bottom line is, find another product just not this one.

Works great with the Windows driver available on the product page of the sainsmart website. Others had problems with the Windows Update driver. Install the driver from Sainsmart website before connecting the device to the computer. If you connect the device before you have installed the available Sainsmarts driver, it will start installing the Windows Update driver. I did this after reading other reviews, I didn't want any issues with my board.

Works well. Tried two use cases: 1) Xbee connected directly to the connectors on the board. I used it to set up the Xbee and then used it as usual for the serial Tx/Rx that I needed. 2) Used breakout pins (Power, Tx, Rx, Gnd) to program another Xbee that was already connected to the target circuit. Only used it to set up a second Xbee. I have used this adapter with software on Windows 7: with X-CTU, PuTTy and other software connected to a remote serial device. Everything went smoothly!