user11884: I was looking for a GPS/OBD2 data logger that logs data to an SD card and eventually arrived at the Arduino powered Freematics Vehicle Data Logger. It's great that it's programmable, but I have no experience with Arduino.
Reading the documentation, it says that I program the device either by USBasp or Arduino as ISP. The USBasp is a dongle programmer, but I don't know what is meant by Arduino as ISP.
My goal is to use this device to log data. I don't plan to extensive write programs for it. What is the minimum equipment that I need to have in order to be able to write a bit of code and flash it to the device?

user4143: "Arduino as ISP" refers to using an Arduino board in place of a USBasp.  It involves loading a specific sketch onto the Arduino then using the SPI port (and a few other pins) as the programming interface to the target.
It is most often used to program blank chips for use in breadboards by people who don't have a USBasp.  Great for moving your project from the Arduino board to a breadboard without having to buy a hardware programmer.

11884: <p>I was looking for a GPS/OBD2 data logger that logs data to an SD card and eventually arrived at the Arduino powered <a href="http://freematics.com/pages/products/freematics-obd-adapter/" rel="nofollow">Freematics Vehicle Data Logger</a>. It's great that it's programmable, but I have no experience with Arduino.</p>

<p>Reading the documentation, it says that I program the device <a href="http://blog.freematics.com/2014/freematics-obd-ii-adapter-programming-guide/" rel="nofollow">either by USBasp or Arduino as ISP</a>. The USBasp is a dongle programmer, but I don't know what is meant by Arduino as ISP.</p>

<p>My goal is to use this device to log data. I don't plan to extensive write programs for it. What is the minimum equipment that I need to have in order to be able to write a bit of code and flash it to the device?</p>
 4143: <p>"Arduino as ISP" refers to using an Arduino board in place of a USBasp.  It involves loading a specific sketch onto the Arduino then using the SPI port (and a few other pins) as the programming interface to the target.</p>

<p>It is most often used to program blank chips for use in breadboards by people who don't have a USBasp.  Great for moving your project from the Arduino board to a breadboard without having to buy a hardware programmer.</p>
