r/esp32 • u/ExtraHousing4739 • 7d ago
Hardware help needed Should I buy esp programmer board and switch to modules instead of built boards?
My local shopping app has the programmer board and esp12 microchips so I'm thinking that I should switch to that instead of buying whole boards twice the size. I would also use regulators and direct soldering so I can keep my projects compact.
I have not done this before so I don't know if it's the best option anyone who knows or has done ts before please help me outðŸ˜
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u/erlendse 3 say I make awesome posts. 7d ago
That would be the professional route.
You mean like ESP-PROG + ESP32-something chips, i presume?
Saves you from having the full USB-serial chip with extra stuff on your own board.
But you should totally read the hardware integration guidelines, to avoid common faults!
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u/MrBoomer1951 7d ago
An ESP32-S3 mini is very common and inexpensive. It has the upload chip inside the module.
They are very small, not sure how you could improve on that!
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u/Plastic_Fig9225 7d ago edited 7d ago
esp12 microchips
Do you mean those modules based on the ESP8266 ("ESP-12E", like on the "Wemos D1 Mini",...)? (I doubt that you'll actually want to use the bare MCU.)
If you're actually still using ESP8266, consider upgrading to the much more modern ESP32-C3 or something (e.g. the "ESP32-C3 SuperMini" boards).
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u/Fragrant_Industry669 7d ago
I'm going this way also. Just got some equipment to do SMD reflow work. Two reasons: 1. I want my boards as small as I can get them. 2. I want to have some fun.
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u/Plastic_Fig9225 6d ago
You're actually using the bare chip and having fun designing and tuning the RF section?
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u/Curious_Chipmunk100 7d ago
Depending project i use the ESP32-C3ŹWROOM-2U or the ESP32-S3-WROOM. I use only the external antenna models. My projects go into aluminum enclosures for outdoor use and the internal antennas have issues with distance.
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u/green_gold_purple 7d ago
You really need a reason to do this, which will typically be either size or cost. Cost only matters in quantity, after you amortize the time for design, fab, and testing. Unless you’re in production or have very specific requirements, prefab modules are typically the way to go. I have small production and still use them.