NRF24L01+ mini VS normal size module ?

[ahmedadelhosni]

Hello,

Did anybody find any differences between the normal size module and the mini one ?
The mini is much smaller and can be better in some cases.

http://g03.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1zGdRJFXXXXXiXFXXq6xXFXXXj/Free-shipping-10pcs-lot-SMD-NRF24L01-2-4G-wireless-data-transmission-module-Mini-NRF24L01-wireless-module.jpg_640x640.jpg

[Oitzu]

No there are not really differences. But i wouldn't trust the blob one, you found, but instead this:
http://g03.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB19VMjKpXXXXacXXXXq6xXFXXXx/1-Mini-Board-NRF24L01-SMD-1-7MM-Wireless-Transceiver-Module-1-9-3-6V.jpg

[ahmedadelhosni]

@Oitzu Yeah right. I have been reading through different posts and some have already reported that blob ones could be fake. Thanks.

[Yveaux]

@ahmedadelhosni said:

blob ones could be fake

Blob ones are fakes. Period.

[Yveaux]

@Yveaux said:

Blob ones are fakes

That doesn't necessarily mean they won't work :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:

[ahmedadelhosni]

@Yveaux better get away from them :)

[Yveaux]

@ahmedadelhosni If you have some spare time, very interesting readings:
http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1664/which-are-the-best-nrf24l01-modules
http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1153/we-are-mostly-using-fake-nrf24l01-s-but-worse-fakes-are-emerging

[ahmedadelhosni]

@YveauxThanks.

I have already read some of the posts today :) That's why I knew the blob issue.

[ahmedadelhosni]

So is this supplier which is on the store trusted :)
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/10PCS-PCS-LOT-nrf24l01-power-strengthen-edition-2-4g-wireless-module-nrf24l01-module/817000009.html?aff_platform=aaf&aff_trace_key=b61e7ab9ccf84594a71ccfd1a0678185-1454261137200-03979-ZBeQv76Qj&sk=ZBeQv76Qj%3A&cpt=1454261137200

[Yveaux]

@ahmedadelhosni said:

is this supplier which is on the store trusted

Not a clue. According to Nordic, only official distributors can be trusted, but they'll charge you $20 + for a single module...
No wonder we all buy our stuff from China.

[ahmedadelhosni]

@Yveaux oh my GOD !! $20+ !
I searched on digikey and the highest price was 6~7 dollars and I thought this is expensive.
So I thought it is original https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/113990021/1597-1226-ND/5487768

You have a link to official distributors as I couldn't find on nordic website ?
Thanks.

[ahmedadelhosni]

I also found it on sparkfun. 20$ ! According to you, this is original and the one from digikey is high copy for exmaple :) ?
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/691

[Yveaux]

@ahmedadelhosni said:

So I thought it is original https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/113990021/1597-1226-ND/5487768

Interesting find. Didn't know Digikey was reselling Seeed studio units!
Beware that this Seeed module is an amplified version, with regular antenna. That's quite a unique species :alien:

When visiting the Nordis Semi website on the bottom right you can search the nearest distributor. For me e.g. Mouser is reported, which sells these modules at E 35,21 a piece!
I can buy roughly 50 boards from China, for the same price.

I cannot tell if the ones from Digikey are genuine, or from Spartkfun; even Nordic has to put them through X-Ray to be absolutely sure.

[ahmedadelhosni]

@Yveaux
No wonder they are no longer in stock according to digikey :)

Thanks for the links. Actually I have searched earlier for the NRF in mouser but couldn't recognize it as there was no picture in the search result + I didn't imagine it will be 38$ :) http://www2.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=nrf24l01p

Thanks for your help.

[tbowmo]

@Yveaux

mouser also sells seedstudio nrf24's (the amplified version).

if you want to buy the (genuine) chip only, it costs 1.56 at quantities of 4000.. (mouser prices).

[ahmedadelhosni]

@tbowmo Will it work Ok if I get a clone board but replaced the chip with the genuine one ? :) I mean does the genuine pcb differs also ?

[Yveaux]

@ahmedadelhosni yes it will (I did it myself) as long as you don't buy the blob ones :blush:

[ahmedadelhosni]

@Yveaux Great. That's really amazaing :)

Sorry for lots of questions. But did you monitor any great differences between both chips ? or is it life time ? or what ?

[Yveaux]

@ahmedadelhosni I still have to discover a clear difference between clones and genuine chips. Power consumption seems different, but not clearly... That's what one of the discussions is about: how can we tell the difference.
Nordic might know, but until now they didn't want to share with us.

[ahmedadelhosni]

@Yveaux Yes I have checked the nordic website regarding the power consumption and they are nearly the same in deep sleep.

Anyway, thanks a lot for the discussion :)