Tag Connect Prog Pogo

[JonW]

Has anyone used these Tag connect programming pogo headers?  I was looking for a small in circuit fixture and have used Pogo Pins for decades in test fixtures.  I saw them on the web and Jeez they are expensive for what they are, $37!!  I also cannot beleive they can hold any type of IP but they seem to have a few patents (not sure if these are related to the catch system and the side mount). You cannot patent the basic idea of pogo pins onto a circuit, these were developed in the 70's by Bell labs for exactly that reason, probing circuits.  In any case I saw that there were some 3D models online so I have sent some away for high definition 3D printing.   

[top204]

You are correct Jon. Pogo pins have been around for many decades and were originally created for tester units that get placed on a PCB.

Surely a patent cannot be made for the use of a pogo pin? That would be like patenting the use of a SIL header or piece of wire. :-) However, the law is a farce, and if there is enough money and ego behind something from large companies, it is too expensive to argue with it, so it becomes a law!

Just look at the farcicle things that have been copyrighted and patented, like colour names, and common surnames, and objects?

I've designed items that used them in the past and their price is crazy for what they are!

Another way of designing a programming header is to offset the SIL holes slightly, so the SIL header fits in the holes and is gripped by the slight offset of them. I've tried this method but found it fiddly to get the SIL header into the holes.

[JonW]

Thats a good idea on the offset, i like the pattern of the Tag connect as its a tiny footpront that you can bring the via in the pad to help secure.  I am not paying $37 for that no way, if it was $5 then i wouldnt bother getting them printed and if anyone wants to moan about it being patented then its total horse Sh*t in my book.  I think its the way the connectors can secure to the PCB but it cant be pogo pin programming.

[Peter Truman]

Thats a good idea on the offset, i like the pattern of the Tag connect as its a tiny footpront that you can bring the via in the pad to help secure.  I am not paying $37 for that no way, if it was $5 then i wouldnt bother getting them printed and if anyone wants to moan about it being patented then its total horse Sh*t in my book.  I think its the way the connectors can secure to the PCB but it cant be pogo pin programming.

I had a look at using these a few months back - I liked the idea of the 'apparently' small footprint! The problem was the little latches on the sided - these required so much room to get your fingers in I found I couldn't place anything bigger than a few SMA chips nearby. Since the board had a number of bigish relays it was a no go. In the end I stuck with the 5 pin header I started with 25 years ago!

[JonW]

I have gone for the pin only one.  So it's still small .I may not fit these either and just use the vi in pad to align.
If you want a permanent connection then the sil inlne or RJ12 is best