[snvzz]

On top of that, it's enough to assert the microcontroller's reset to then freely use the RX/TX pins from the FTDI as if it wasn't there.

Just plain insanity.

As for cp2104 usb to ttl serial, full adapters using that chip cost $2 a pop on AliExpress.

As the prices are like that, I ordered a few of every available usb-serial chip at some point. I'll be fine for a long time.

[TaylorAlexander]

Yeah I was really questioning the point of removing it from a board where it has all the connections it needs in order to then make all those connections again! It’s a very nice write up but I was just left wondering “whyyy?”

[fstokesman]

Indeed - I know I could have also popped out the DIP micro on the board and used it directly, but I choose not to for two reasons:

1. Its so much bulkier, and I wanted something that was the same form factor as my old unit 2. It seemed way more fun to do things this way, and I was pretty sure I could do the whole operation in less than an hour

[osamagirl69]

Clearly you should have compromised and hacksaw'ed out the usb jack + ftdi region of the board, thus satisfying both your desire to have something jankey and compact. You would even get free activity LEDs!

[poyu]

Or you know, pop the Atmega out