+            self._spi.open(self._port, 0)
+            try:
+              self._spi.no_cs = True  # this doesn't work but try anyways
+            except AttributeError:
+              pass
+            self._spi.max_speed_hz = self.baudrate
+            self._spi.mode = self.mode
+            self._spi.bits_per_word = self.bits
+            self._spi.writebytes([x for x in buf[start:end]])
+            self._spi.close()
+        except FileNotFoundError as not_found:
+            print("Could not open SPI device - check if SPI is enabled in kernel!")
+            raise
+
+    def readinto(self, buf, start=0, end=None):
+        if not buf:
+            return
+        if end is None:
+            end = len(buf)
+        try:
+            self._spi.open(self._port, 0)
+            try:
+              self._spi.no_cs = True  # this doesn't work but try anyways
+            except AttributeError:
+              pass
+            self._spi.max_speed_hz = self.baudrate
+            self._spi.mode = self.mode
+            self._spi.bits_per_word = self.bits
+            data = self._spi.readbytes(end-start)
+            for i in range(end-start):  # 'readinto' the given buffer
+              buf[start+i] = data[i]
+            self._spi.close()
+        except FileNotFoundError as not_found:
+            print("Could not open SPI device - check if SPI is enabled in kernel!")
+            raise