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.

--
Best regards,
John Navas

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.
>

And to add to this the Prolifics work great with OpenBSD. The driver is
included in the generic kernel.

Greg

--
"All my time I spent in heaven
Revelries of dance and wine
Waking to the sound of laughter
Up I'd rise and kiss the sky" - The Mekons

"John Navas" <spamfilter1@navasgroup.com> wrote in message
news:3fn5q29t16mi5ai2kfumdl8scsp713r6uj@4ax.com...
> 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.
>

USB to RS-232 adaptors seem to vary in their degree of compatibilty. I have
had no trouble with a no name cheapie off the internet (no idea about
anything else about it), others have had adaptors that work with some
peripherals but not others.

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.
>
> --
> Best regards,
> John Navas

Yes, I use the Prolific chip set on win2kpro and x64. However, I paid
$15 or so for a device from Airlink 101, and I had to wait for a sale.
;-) It's the same somewhat goofy teal color as the one on your
website. Not only does it run my GPS, it runs my scanners as well.
http://www.airlink101.com/products/ac-usbs.html

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
Note reply address is invalid, convert address above to machine form.

On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 07:55:54 +1000, Adrian Jansen <adrian@qq.vv.net>
wrote in <12q83rvd31pcl92@corp.supernews.com>:

>John Navas wrote:

>> 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.) ...

>> 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. ...

>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.

Were you using older Prolific driver versions? I've now run a fair
number of torture tests against my Prolific PL-2303 with the Windows XP
driver 2.0.2.1, and all were passed successfully. If you're got
something legitimate that you think will cause it to fail, I'd be happy
to try it. (My posting email address is valid.)

--
Best regards,
John Navas

"John Navas" <spamfilter1@navasgroup.com> wrote in message
news:3fn5q29t16mi5ai2kfumdl8scsp713r6uj@4ax.com...
> 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.
>
> --
> Best regards,
> John Navas

There are also PCMCIA serial adapters. More pricey than the USB adapters
but they may be more likely to work with multiple device types.

"Bruce" <brucel7@cox.net> writes:

>There are also PCMCIA serial adapters. More pricey than the USB adapters
>but they may be more likely to work with multiple device types.

Unfortunately, they have their own obsolescence problem: new laptops
tend to come with Express Card slots and don't support PCMCIA any more.

Dave

Dave Martindale wrote:

> "Bruce" <brucel7@cox.net> writes:
>
>
>>There are also PCMCIA serial adapters. More pricey than the USB adapters
>>but they may be more likely to work with multiple device types.
>
>
> Unfortunately, they have their own obsolescence problem: new laptops
> tend to come with Express Card slots and don't support PCMCIA any more.
>
> Dave

Oh no! Another much beloved I/O bites the dust!

That means I'll eventually lose the use of my two PCMCIA RS-232 cards
and my PCMCIA RS-422 card. Not that I've used them recently...

Oh yeah, and my PCMCIA Token Ring adapters too!

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)

John Navas wrote:
> On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 07:55:54 +1000, Adrian Jansen <adrian@qq.vv.net>
> wrote in <12q83rvd31pcl92@corp.supernews.com>:
>
>> John Navas wrote:
>
>>> 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.) ...
>
>>> 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. ...
>
>> 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.
>
> Were you using older Prolific driver versions? I've now run a fair
> number of torture tests against my Prolific PL-2303 with the Windows XP
> driver 2.0.2.1, and all were passed successfully. If you're got
> something legitimate that you think will cause it to fail, I'd be happy
> to try it. (My posting email address is valid.)
>

I cant give you specific driver versions, most of the problems were
reported from remote customers, and may not even have been with XP. We
deal with people who use anything from '98 up. All I can say is that
when we suggested they buy adapters using FTDI chips, most of the
problems ceased.
The Prolific units I tested personally could be got to work, by
adjusting the timeouts and buffer sizes in the comms setup, but I am not
certain some customers followed our recommendations.
However we may have had a special case, since we were sending short
binary packets in both directions. Typical GPS use, where its just one
data stream in one direction is not likely to cause much problem.


--
Regards,

Adrian Jansen adrianjansen at internode dot on dot net
Design Engineer J & K Micro Systems
Microcomputer solutions for industrial control
Note reply address is invalid, convert address above to machine form.

"Jack Erbes" <jackerbes@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:JsGdnZYhMd3NoDjYnZ2dnUVZ_tOmnZ2d@adelphia.com ...
> Dave Martindale wrote:
>
>> "Bruce" <brucel7@cox.net> writes:
>>
>>
>>>There are also PCMCIA serial adapters. More pricey than the USB adapters
>>>but they may be more likely to work with multiple device types.
>>
>>
>> Unfortunately, they have their own obsolescence problem: new laptops
>> tend to come with Express Card slots and don't support PCMCIA any more.
>>
>> Dave
>
> Oh no! Another much beloved I/O bites the dust!
>
> That means I'll eventually lose the use of my two PCMCIA RS-232 cards and
> my PCMCIA RS-422 card. Not that I've used them recently...
>
> Oh yeah, and my PCMCIA Token Ring adapters too!
>
> Jack
>
> --
> Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
> (also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)

I'm thinkin you can safely toss those token ring adapers :)

Thanks Dave for the heads up on the Express Card stuff. I suppose that in a
few years there will be people asking for PCMCIA to Express Card adapters!

"Jack Erbes" <jackerbes@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:JsGdnZYhMd3NoDjYnZ2dnUVZ_tOmnZ2d@adelphia.com ...
> Dave Martindale wrote:
>
>> "Bruce" <brucel7@cox.net> writes:
>>
>>
>>>There are also PCMCIA serial adapters. More pricey than the USB adapters
>>>but they may be more likely to work with multiple device types.
>>
>>
>> Unfortunately, they have their own obsolescence problem: new laptops
>> tend to come with Express Card slots and don't support PCMCIA any more.
>>
>> Dave
>
> Oh no! Another much beloved I/O bites the dust!
>
> That means I'll eventually lose the use of my two PCMCIA RS-232 cards and
> my PCMCIA RS-422 card. Not that I've used them recently...
>
> Oh yeah, and my PCMCIA Token Ring adapters too!
>

Does anyone know where I can get spare tokens?

"M.I.5¾" <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> writes:

>> Oh yeah, and my PCMCIA Token Ring adapters too!

>Does anyone know where I can get spare tokens?

eBay!

Seriously, there must be lots of spare tokens just floating around the
ether these days. Try just setting up a token ring and see if it
attracts any of them.

Dave

Dave Martindale wrote:

> "M.I.5¾" <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> writes:
>
>
>>>Oh yeah, and my PCMCIA Token Ring adapters too!
>
>
>>Does anyone know where I can get spare tokens?
>
>
> eBay!
>
> Seriously, there must be lots of spare tokens just floating around the
> ether these days. Try just setting up a token ring and see if it
> attracts any of them.
>
> Dave

I'm sure there are some dinosaur geeks still willing to argue the
superiority of Token Ring networking and with their homes or workplaces
still running a TR network at 4-16mbs.

As it happens, I have a couple of 3Com 3C389 PCMCIA TR adapters still in
their sealed boxes. Another 50 years or so and those will probably be
worth something to a museum of networking or something. :>)

Jack


--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)

"Adrian Jansen" <adrian@qq.vv.net> wrote in message
news:12qaloonb5g3e75@corp.supernews.com
> I cant give you specific driver versions, most of the problems were
> reported from remote customers, and may not even have been with XP. We
> deal with people who use anything from '98 up. All I can say is that
> when we suggested they buy adapters using FTDI chips, most of the
> problems ceased.
>
> The Prolific units I tested personally could be got to work, by
> adjusting the timeouts and buffer sizes in the comms setup, but I am
> not certain some customers followed our recommendations.
> However we may have had a special case, since we were sending short
> binary packets in both directions. Typical GPS use, where its just
> one data stream in one direction is not likely to cause much problem.

I don't know who MCT is, but that is the author of my drivers for my Art
USB Bay unit. Seems to work well with most things. Dirt Cheap for a port
replicator. Many can be found for 10 bucks or less.

--
Bill