An original Arduino UNO R3 costs about nearly $25, and I remember clones would cost about $10 on Aliexpress, but today I’ve been informed about VISduino, an Arduino UNO R3 clone, with some cost optimizations such as cheaper components and connectors, which sells for just 15.50 CNY (~$2.50 US) on Taobao, and $4.90 on Electrodragon. But double checking on Aliexpress, I could find another popular Arduino UNO R3 clone for $4.58 including shipping, but no USB cable.
Both boards cut costs by replacing ATmega16U2 by CH340 USB to serial chip, and replacing the ATMEGA328P-PU MCU (DIP) by an SMT version of the Atmel MCU such as ATMEGA328P-AU (QFP).
Other changes on VISduino include:
- Replaced USB B-type connector by a micro USB port
- Added extra through holes side-by-side with the Arduino headers for easier debugging.
- Extra 2×4 pin holes with TX, RX, VCC, GND, and I2C pins
You may have to install extra drivers for CH340.
Thanks to Benjamin (Zoobab) for the tip.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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$3.45 at Ali (also without USB cable and CH340 for USB):
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-high-quality-UNO-R3-MEGA328P-for-Arduino-UNO-R3-NO-USB-CABLE/1986980366.html
@Tarjei
Seems to be the same design as the Visduino, only the USB connector is a big type B instead of the microusb one.
For Linux the USB to serial chip should be already supported. Check with
$ modinfo ch341
The USB IDs are the same with those at the driver that is found at http://wch.cn/downloads.php?name=pro&proid=65
I prefer the type b over micro, doesn’t break as easily especially for kids
with lcd shield (2x uno + 2x lcd shield) for US$13.30
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/UNO-R3-USB-Cable-1602-Keypad-Shield-for-Arduino/1800790614.html
@Tarjei
It’s close to $5 with shipping.
@Al
Actually it’s one UNO, one LCD shield. It’s Aliexpress style for 2 pieces.
ehh, how to make money if this is so cheap?
I find this even more interesting: A 32bit ARM Board with 64K Flash, 20k RAM, 72MHz (STM32F103) http://www.aliexpress.com/item/STM32F103C8T6-ARM-STM32-Minimum-System-Development-Board-Module-For-Arduino/32246273606.html for $4.52 with shipping!
Similar @ $4.49: http://www.buyincoins.com/item/58382.html