John Navas wrote:
> NOTE: This is posted as a public service, _not_ spam -- I have no
> connection to any of the companies below (except as a customer).
>
>
> My two GPS units (Garmin and Magellan) have serial interfaces, and my
> ThinkPad T41 notebook computer doesn't have a serial port, so I needed a
> good USB-to-serial adapter.
>
> My 1st try, a cheap generic adapter based on a "Huge Pine" chip,
> purchased on eBay, was a complete failure -- Windows XP couldn't even
> identify the hardware properly. In addition, the cable is relatively
> long (over 3'), and the serial connector has attachment _screws_ rather
> than (normally needed) attachment _nuts_. While I may have been unlucky
> enough to get a defective unit, my research suggests that these "Huge
> Pine" products are flaky, so I recommend avoiding them.
>
> My 2nd try, a generic adapter based on the Prolific PL-2303 chip, was
> successful -- it plays very well with Windows XP and with my GPS units.
> (Prolific-based adapters are used by a number of major OEMs.) It's a
> nice short (1') cable, and the serial connector has attachment nuts.
> Prolific-based adapters are readily available on eBay, but I purchased
> mine from local (San Francisco) vendor TekGems <http://tekgems.com/> for
> $10 -- see <http://tekgems.com/Products/SBT-USC1M.htm>.
>
> Although the adapter as supplied by TekGems comes with drivers on a mini
> CD, later drivers for Windows (2.0.2.1, XP Logo Certified), Mac, and Red
> Hat Linux, can be downloaded directly from Prolific. If you have
> difficulty with the Prolific Taiwanese website in English (as I did),
> use Google _cache_ from the Google search
> <http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aprolific.com.tw+%22PL-2303+Software+and+Drivers%22>.
> For Windows, run the Setup program _before_ attaching the adapter cable
> and driver installation will be smooth and painless.
>
We have less problems with USB-Serial devices using FTDI chips than
those based on the Prolific ones.
Especially when sending short messages back and forth between PC and
device, sometimes the Prolific ones need special setups buried way down
in the Windoze serial comms control system.
http://www.dontronics-shop.com/produ...cat=265&page=1
is the device I prefer, based on 20-30 supplied to customers.
--
Regards,
Adrian Jansen adrianjansen at internode dot on dot net
Design Engineer J & K Micro Systems
Microcomputer solutions for industrial control
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