nRF24l01+ Clones’ variable quality

Using Arduino Networking, Protocols, and Devices
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I have read many posts about this 2.4 GHz rf device; some happy, some frustrated.

I have also made many tests during my lockdown project (to build a home made RC system for model aeroplanes and helicopters.)

One point is not mentioned by anyone: Quality control. These rf chips are clearly made and sold very cheaply in huge numbers, but of course no one ever tests any. So we must.

Today I tested about 20, from a variety of different sources. Ten were immediately binned after my tests, and the other ten worked perfectly. No supplier was all bad or all good. All suppliers were more or less equally inconsistent.

Because they are so amazingly cheap, I think that’s absolutely fine. Test each before installing and buy twice as many as needed. At double the price they are still very cheap.

But if a new one fails, or has a range of only 2 metres, don’t expect to get it working by fixing the code. Just try another!

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Interesting.

Are the modules that you tried visibly different from each other so that one could identify the different manufacturers?

And when you say "clone" I presume you mean the nRF24 chip was not made by Nordic. As far as I know Nordic never made modules.

...R

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50% DOA seems very high to me.

I played with many different modules and had only two bad ones so it's more like below 5% from my experience.

Top reasons for not working NRF24L01+ setups are (again from my experience)

  • bad wiring
  • insufficient power on 3.3V
  • misunderstanding of the chips operation
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I have bought about 35 to 40 rf24 modules. The only ones that I had trouble with had a "blob" instead of an IC. The blob units would transmit to a known good rf24, but the blob unit would not receive from a good rf24 or a blob one in my limited testing I do not remember ever having problems with any of the IC radios. I will add that I have not bought any in about a year, though.

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