If you are working with the AVR ATtiny45 or ATtiny85, this Tiny programmer by Arduino team member David Mellis is a handy tool to have in your parts bin.

Description ^[Hide]

The ATtiny45 and 85 are great "chewing gum" solutions to many electronics problems needing just a little code and some smarts. This programmer (designed by Arduino-team member David Mellis of MIT) is a compact plug-into-USB solution, with a programing socket for your IC.

Load up an ATtiny into the programmer, pop it into the USB port, boot up your Arduino environment, and you'll be generating a solution for your project in short order (be aware, you have to manually load up some board definitions to your Arduino design environment).

The ISP header is also broken out, so you can use the programmer for other AVR compatible projects. Along with a handful of AVR chips, it's an inexpensive, handy solution for many electronics issues.

Note: You'll need to install the USBTinyISP drivers if you don't have them yet, you can find them in the documents below!

Useful Links:

Hookup Guide
GitHub

Documentation ^[Hide]

[Documentation]: USBTinyISP Driver (Win 64)
[Documentation]: USBTinyISP Driver (Win 32)
[Documentation]: Sparkfun Tiny AVR Programmer Eagle Files
[Schematic]: Tiny AVR Programmer Schematic - Sept 2013
[Schematic]: Tiny AVR Programmer Schematic - Nov 2012
[Documentation]: Firmware

You Might Also Like ^[Hide]

28904

ATtiny85

Hey look, an Atmel chip! Amazing! Well, it is a nice improvement on the popular ATtiny45 in that it now offers 8kB of programmable Flash.

$2.85 USD

18908

Adafruit Assembled Data Logging shield for Arduino

The engineers at Adafruit have come up with a nice little datalogger shield, this time (mostly) assembled!

$19.95 USD

DC-8 Pin

8 Pin DIP Socket Carrier

The idea of a DIP socket is to allow easy insertion/replacement of chips in existing circuits.

$0.25 USD

28905

ATtiny85V

Yay! It's a low voltage version of the ATtiny85 that also offers 8kB of flash.

$2.41 USD

14220

Micro Deans Plug (Pair)

Micro Deans plugs are usually used in RC vehicle applications but can also be used for all kinds of other high current, small form factor projects. They even have a polarity protection feature built into the design, bonus!

$1.00 USD

39260

SMD LoL Shield

The Lots of LEDs Shield gives you total control over 126 SMD LEDS, creating a programmable display for your Arduino.

$31.50 USD

LED Colour

30305

VoiceShield Kit

The Voice Shield (VS) is an analog audio shield for the Arduino that allows you to play audio sound byte.

$55.95 USD

50516

Power Driver Shield Kit

This shield allows you to use a computer power supply (or other power source) to use your Arduino to switch high current.

$19.95 USD

TBLK8-137

8 Position Terminal Block 0.137 Spacing

Want to lock down heavier gauge wires down semi-permanent fashion? Here's a 8-position terminal block with 0.137" (3.5mm) spacing.

$1.67 USD

GM15A

Gear Motor

You know and love the GM15, but hate the pulley-shaft? Ok, ok - here's a more standard "D" shaft configuration!

$19.00 USD