Disadvantages of Buying Fake FTDI Chips
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I was planning to buy this FT2232HL FTDI board from Aliexpress for basic FIFO applications. It is obviously fake; being cheaper than the entire chip itself and having no "FTDI" marking on top of it.
I was wondering, what should I expect from this product in terms of performance and endurance? Will this device function properly or simply missing a key feature that is not noticeable at first look, such as the 4K buffer or some important protection? No need to mention infamous "FTDIgate", I suppose.
I'm basically an electronics hobbyist, so simple words really appreciated, although not necessary. Thanks...
ftdi
asked Nov 25 '18 at 3:36
ZaferAZaferA
262
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I was planning to buy this FT2232HL FTDI board from Aliexpress for basic FIFO applications. It is obviously fake; being cheaper than the entire chip itself and having no "FTDI" marking on top of it.
I was wondering, what should I expect from this product in terms of performance and endurance? Will this device function properly or simply missing a key feature that is not noticeable at first look, such as the 4K buffer or some important protection? No need to mention infamous "FTDIgate", I suppose.
I'm basically an electronics hobbyist, so simple words really appreciated, although not necessary. Thanks...
ftdi
asked Nov 25 '18 at 3:36
ZaferAZaferA
262
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I have some devices here that were built with FTDI "behave similar" IC -- the CH340G/CH341G. You might be referring to those. If so, they are not exact duplicates. They solve similar problems, but I think they require slightly different drivers under Windows, for example. So far as the devices I have here? They work just fine. I've had no problems. But I haven't made extensive use of them, either. Mostly, I've just lost any fear in using them, I suppose.
$endgroup$
– jonk
Nov 25 '18 at 3:41
$begingroup$
not everyone pays digikey's retail price.
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Nov 25 '18 at 4:49
3
$begingroup$
FTDI could brick them with a driver update
$endgroup$
– alex.forencich
Nov 25 '18 at 6:43
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I was planning to buy this FT2232HL FTDI board from Aliexpress for basic FIFO applications. It is obviously fake; being cheaper than the entire chip itself and having no "FTDI" marking on top of it.
I was wondering, what should I expect from this product in terms of performance and endurance? Will this device function properly or simply missing a key feature that is not noticeable at first look, such as the 4K buffer or some important protection? No need to mention infamous "FTDIgate", I suppose.
I'm basically an electronics hobbyist, so simple words really appreciated, although not necessary. Thanks...
ftdi
asked Nov 25 '18 at 3:36
ZaferAZaferA
262
$endgroup$
I was planning to buy this FT2232HL FTDI board from Aliexpress for basic FIFO applications. It is obviously fake; being cheaper than the entire chip itself and having no "FTDI" marking on top of it.
I was wondering, what should I expect from this product in terms of performance and endurance? Will this device function properly or simply missing a key feature that is not noticeable at first look, such as the 4K buffer or some important protection? No need to mention infamous "FTDIgate", I suppose.
I'm basically an electronics hobbyist, so simple words really appreciated, although not necessary. Thanks...
ftdi
ftdi
asked Nov 25 '18 at 3:36
ZaferAZaferA
262
asked Nov 25 '18 at 3:36
ZaferAZaferA
262
asked Nov 25 '18 at 3:36
ZaferAZaferA
262
asked Nov 25 '18 at 3:36
ZaferAZaferA
262
asked Nov 25 '18 at 3:36
ZaferAZaferA
262
262
$begingroup$
I have some devices here that were built with FTDI "behave similar" IC -- the CH340G/CH341G. You might be referring to those. If so, they are not exact duplicates. They solve similar problems, but I think they require slightly different drivers under Windows, for example. So far as the devices I have here? They work just fine. I've had no problems. But I haven't made extensive use of them, either. Mostly, I've just lost any fear in using them, I suppose.
$endgroup$
– jonk
Nov 25 '18 at 3:41
$begingroup$
not everyone pays digikey's retail price.
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Nov 25 '18 at 4:49
3
$begingroup$
FTDI could brick them with a driver update
$endgroup$
– alex.forencich
Nov 25 '18 at 6:43
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I have some devices here that were built with FTDI "behave similar" IC -- the CH340G/CH341G. You might be referring to those. If so, they are not exact duplicates. They solve similar problems, but I think they require slightly different drivers under Windows, for example. So far as the devices I have here? They work just fine. I've had no problems. But I haven't made extensive use of them, either. Mostly, I've just lost any fear in using them, I suppose.
$endgroup$
– jonk
Nov 25 '18 at 3:41
$begingroup$
not everyone pays digikey's retail price.
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Nov 25 '18 at 4:49
3
$begingroup$
FTDI could brick them with a driver update
$endgroup$
– alex.forencich
Nov 25 '18 at 6:43
$begingroup$
I have some devices here that were built with FTDI "behave similar" IC -- the CH340G/CH341G. You might be referring to those. If so, they are not exact duplicates. They solve similar problems, but I think they require slightly different drivers under Windows, for example. So far as the devices I have here? They work just fine. I've had no problems. But I haven't made extensive use of them, either. Mostly, I've just lost any fear in using them, I suppose.
$endgroup$
– jonk
Nov 25 '18 at 3:41
$begingroup$
I have some devices here that were built with FTDI "behave similar" IC -- the CH340G/CH341G. You might be referring to those. If so, they are not exact duplicates. They solve similar problems, but I think they require slightly different drivers under Windows, for example. So far as the devices I have here? They work just fine. I've had no problems. But I haven't made extensive use of them, either. Mostly, I've just lost any fear in using them, I suppose.
$endgroup$
– jonk
Nov 25 '18 at 3:41
$begingroup$
not everyone pays digikey's retail price.
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Nov 25 '18 at 4:49
$begingroup$
not everyone pays digikey's retail price.
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Nov 25 '18 at 4:49
3
3
$begingroup$
FTDI could brick them with a driver update
$endgroup$
– alex.forencich
Nov 25 '18 at 6:43
$begingroup$
FTDI could brick them with a driver update
$endgroup$
– alex.forencich
Nov 25 '18 at 6:43
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
I would recommend you to buy something else.
FTDI is known for their practices, they're updating their drivers so they brick/damage non-genuine chips. It's not worth to buy FTDI chips from china (sometimes are affected even chips from reputable sources).
I would recommend another chip from another vendor. Like CH340 etc.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 7:17
ChupacabrasChupacabras
3,89321235
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Dave Tweed♦
Nov 26 '18 at 12:46
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Those might actually be real. Parts are often available in China for far less than elsewhere. The seller has probably concealed the FTDI logo in their photos for trademark reasons; I've seen other Chinese vendors do the same thing with other parts.
I've never seen a fake FT2232HL in the wild -- the counterfeits I've seen have all been of the vastly more common FT232RL -- and the rest of the markings on this chip all have the exact same format and placement as those on a real part. It would be highly unusual for a counterfeiter to perfectly reproduce all of the markings on a part except for the logo.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 3:55
duskwuffduskwuff
18.3k32853
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
On the other hand, using a real FTDI for the photo and then fakes for mass production is also possible... one really shouldn't conclude anything from the product image.
$endgroup$
– Ben Voigt
Nov 25 '18 at 14:57
$begingroup$
@BenVoigt Right. But, as I mentioned, I'm not currently aware of any functional counterfeits of the FT2232H.
$endgroup$
– duskwuff
Nov 25 '18 at 19:18
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Disadvantage, if it doesn't work as described in the datasheet, you have no guarantee of support, possibly no refund, and wasted time. Really bad fakes may damage something. That's basically it for a one off project part. The problems really come in at scale, for commercial products or products that can result in safety hazards. Recall costs, litigation, factory rework, bad p.r. etc.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 4:32
PasserbyPasserby
57.8k453152
$endgroup$
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
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oldest
votes
$begingroup$
I would recommend you to buy something else.
FTDI is known for their practices, they're updating their drivers so they brick/damage non-genuine chips. It's not worth to buy FTDI chips from china (sometimes are affected even chips from reputable sources).
I would recommend another chip from another vendor. Like CH340 etc.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 7:17
ChupacabrasChupacabras
3,89321235
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Dave Tweed♦
Nov 26 '18 at 12:46
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I would recommend you to buy something else.
FTDI is known for their practices, they're updating their drivers so they brick/damage non-genuine chips. It's not worth to buy FTDI chips from china (sometimes are affected even chips from reputable sources).
I would recommend another chip from another vendor. Like CH340 etc.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 7:17
ChupacabrasChupacabras
3,89321235
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Dave Tweed♦
Nov 26 '18 at 12:46
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I would recommend you to buy something else.
FTDI is known for their practices, they're updating their drivers so they brick/damage non-genuine chips. It's not worth to buy FTDI chips from china (sometimes are affected even chips from reputable sources).
I would recommend another chip from another vendor. Like CH340 etc.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 7:17
ChupacabrasChupacabras
3,89321235
$endgroup$
I would recommend you to buy something else.
FTDI is known for their practices, they're updating their drivers so they brick/damage non-genuine chips. It's not worth to buy FTDI chips from china (sometimes are affected even chips from reputable sources).
I would recommend another chip from another vendor. Like CH340 etc.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 7:17
ChupacabrasChupacabras
3,89321235
answered Nov 25 '18 at 7:17
ChupacabrasChupacabras
3,89321235
answered Nov 25 '18 at 7:17
ChupacabrasChupacabras
3,89321235
answered Nov 25 '18 at 7:17
ChupacabrasChupacabras
3,89321235
3,89321235
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Dave Tweed♦
Nov 26 '18 at 12:46
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Dave Tweed♦
Nov 26 '18 at 12:46
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Dave Tweed♦
Nov 26 '18 at 12:46
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Dave Tweed♦
Nov 26 '18 at 12:46
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Those might actually be real. Parts are often available in China for far less than elsewhere. The seller has probably concealed the FTDI logo in their photos for trademark reasons; I've seen other Chinese vendors do the same thing with other parts.
I've never seen a fake FT2232HL in the wild -- the counterfeits I've seen have all been of the vastly more common FT232RL -- and the rest of the markings on this chip all have the exact same format and placement as those on a real part. It would be highly unusual for a counterfeiter to perfectly reproduce all of the markings on a part except for the logo.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 3:55
duskwuffduskwuff
18.3k32853
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
On the other hand, using a real FTDI for the photo and then fakes for mass production is also possible... one really shouldn't conclude anything from the product image.
$endgroup$
– Ben Voigt
Nov 25 '18 at 14:57
$begingroup$
@BenVoigt Right. But, as I mentioned, I'm not currently aware of any functional counterfeits of the FT2232H.
$endgroup$
– duskwuff
Nov 25 '18 at 19:18
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Those might actually be real. Parts are often available in China for far less than elsewhere. The seller has probably concealed the FTDI logo in their photos for trademark reasons; I've seen other Chinese vendors do the same thing with other parts.
I've never seen a fake FT2232HL in the wild -- the counterfeits I've seen have all been of the vastly more common FT232RL -- and the rest of the markings on this chip all have the exact same format and placement as those on a real part. It would be highly unusual for a counterfeiter to perfectly reproduce all of the markings on a part except for the logo.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 3:55
duskwuffduskwuff
18.3k32853
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
On the other hand, using a real FTDI for the photo and then fakes for mass production is also possible... one really shouldn't conclude anything from the product image.
$endgroup$
– Ben Voigt
Nov 25 '18 at 14:57
$begingroup$
@BenVoigt Right. But, as I mentioned, I'm not currently aware of any functional counterfeits of the FT2232H.
$endgroup$
– duskwuff
Nov 25 '18 at 19:18
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Those might actually be real. Parts are often available in China for far less than elsewhere. The seller has probably concealed the FTDI logo in their photos for trademark reasons; I've seen other Chinese vendors do the same thing with other parts.
I've never seen a fake FT2232HL in the wild -- the counterfeits I've seen have all been of the vastly more common FT232RL -- and the rest of the markings on this chip all have the exact same format and placement as those on a real part. It would be highly unusual for a counterfeiter to perfectly reproduce all of the markings on a part except for the logo.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 3:55
duskwuffduskwuff
18.3k32853
$endgroup$
Those might actually be real. Parts are often available in China for far less than elsewhere. The seller has probably concealed the FTDI logo in their photos for trademark reasons; I've seen other Chinese vendors do the same thing with other parts.
I've never seen a fake FT2232HL in the wild -- the counterfeits I've seen have all been of the vastly more common FT232RL -- and the rest of the markings on this chip all have the exact same format and placement as those on a real part. It would be highly unusual for a counterfeiter to perfectly reproduce all of the markings on a part except for the logo.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 3:55
duskwuffduskwuff
18.3k32853
answered Nov 25 '18 at 3:55
duskwuffduskwuff
18.3k32853
answered Nov 25 '18 at 3:55
duskwuffduskwuff
18.3k32853
answered Nov 25 '18 at 3:55
duskwuffduskwuff
18.3k32853
18.3k32853
3
$begingroup$
On the other hand, using a real FTDI for the photo and then fakes for mass production is also possible... one really shouldn't conclude anything from the product image.
$endgroup$
– Ben Voigt
Nov 25 '18 at 14:57
$begingroup$
@BenVoigt Right. But, as I mentioned, I'm not currently aware of any functional counterfeits of the FT2232H.
$endgroup$
– duskwuff
Nov 25 '18 at 19:18
add a comment |
3
$begingroup$
On the other hand, using a real FTDI for the photo and then fakes for mass production is also possible... one really shouldn't conclude anything from the product image.
$endgroup$
– Ben Voigt
Nov 25 '18 at 14:57
$begingroup$
@BenVoigt Right. But, as I mentioned, I'm not currently aware of any functional counterfeits of the FT2232H.
$endgroup$
– duskwuff
Nov 25 '18 at 19:18
3
3
$begingroup$
On the other hand, using a real FTDI for the photo and then fakes for mass production is also possible... one really shouldn't conclude anything from the product image.
$endgroup$
– Ben Voigt
Nov 25 '18 at 14:57
$begingroup$
On the other hand, using a real FTDI for the photo and then fakes for mass production is also possible... one really shouldn't conclude anything from the product image.
$endgroup$
– Ben Voigt
Nov 25 '18 at 14:57
$begingroup$
@BenVoigt Right. But, as I mentioned, I'm not currently aware of any functional counterfeits of the FT2232H.
$endgroup$
– duskwuff
Nov 25 '18 at 19:18
$begingroup$
@BenVoigt Right. But, as I mentioned, I'm not currently aware of any functional counterfeits of the FT2232H.
$endgroup$
– duskwuff
Nov 25 '18 at 19:18
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Disadvantage, if it doesn't work as described in the datasheet, you have no guarantee of support, possibly no refund, and wasted time. Really bad fakes may damage something. That's basically it for a one off project part. The problems really come in at scale, for commercial products or products that can result in safety hazards. Recall costs, litigation, factory rework, bad p.r. etc.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 4:32
PasserbyPasserby
57.8k453152
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Disadvantage, if it doesn't work as described in the datasheet, you have no guarantee of support, possibly no refund, and wasted time. Really bad fakes may damage something. That's basically it for a one off project part. The problems really come in at scale, for commercial products or products that can result in safety hazards. Recall costs, litigation, factory rework, bad p.r. etc.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 4:32
PasserbyPasserby
57.8k453152
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Disadvantage, if it doesn't work as described in the datasheet, you have no guarantee of support, possibly no refund, and wasted time. Really bad fakes may damage something. That's basically it for a one off project part. The problems really come in at scale, for commercial products or products that can result in safety hazards. Recall costs, litigation, factory rework, bad p.r. etc.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 4:32
PasserbyPasserby
57.8k453152
$endgroup$
Disadvantage, if it doesn't work as described in the datasheet, you have no guarantee of support, possibly no refund, and wasted time. Really bad fakes may damage something. That's basically it for a one off project part. The problems really come in at scale, for commercial products or products that can result in safety hazards. Recall costs, litigation, factory rework, bad p.r. etc.
answered Nov 25 '18 at 4:32
PasserbyPasserby
57.8k453152
edited Nov 25 '18 at 5:17
answered Nov 25 '18 at 4:32
PasserbyPasserby
57.8k453152
answered Nov 25 '18 at 4:32
PasserbyPasserby
57.8k453152
answered Nov 25 '18 at 4:32
PasserbyPasserby
57.8k453152
57.8k453152
add a comment |
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
I have some devices here that were built with FTDI "behave similar" IC -- the CH340G/CH341G. You might be referring to those. If so, they are not exact duplicates. They solve similar problems, but I think they require slightly different drivers under Windows, for example. So far as the devices I have here? They work just fine. I've had no problems. But I haven't made extensive use of them, either. Mostly, I've just lost any fear in using them, I suppose.
$endgroup$
– jonk
Nov 25 '18 at 3:41
$begingroup$
not everyone pays digikey's retail price.
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Nov 25 '18 at 4:49
3
$begingroup$
FTDI could brick them with a driver update
$endgroup$
– alex.forencich
Nov 25 '18 at 6:43