Preferred methods of programming the Axon

[Joker94]

Hi everyone

Well i have recently bought and Axon 2 and want to know what is the method people prefer to use to program it. Boot loader or ISP programmer?

The reason I ask  is i see many people using different methods to program the axon and am curious as to why they chose that particular method.

And finally, when the bootloader is no longer on the chip and a ISP programmer is being used, is UART 1 still usable to output data/text or information to the computer.(I would not expect it to be available)

Cheers,

Joker94

[mstacho]

I use the bootloader just because it's simpler for me to deal with.  This is because I learned how to use it first and don't really want to take the 10 minutes to learn to use the ISP programmer, which we do have in the lab but for another project.    Turns out that by ignoring a clearly better solution, I can solve more problems.

[Admin]

The USB port is available to use whether you have the bootloader installed or not (programming by ISP erases the bootloader).

I prefer the ISP because I don't need to connect/disconnect hyperterminal every time I want to reprogram (as with the bootloader). The ISP programs faster, too. The only real advantage is the bootloader is free, which is why it's pre-installed.

[Joker94]

Awesome that pretty much sums it up.

I have a ISP programmer and want to be able to use the USB feature. seeing as i can still use the USB without the bootloader programmed I think the ISP is the go.

Thanks guys

Cheers

Joker94

[Crunchy Theory]

You got your answer, but I might as well add that I prefer ISP as well for the same reasons Admin listed. Also because I learned the ISP way first from my $50 Robot and I'm too lazy to figure out the bootloader.