USB to Serial (RS232)

Steve · Apr 21, 2008, 15:27:50

Anyone have any experience with these and know of any that work? I need one for a Garmin Etrex vista. My new motherboard has no serial ports. I have purchased one previously which didnt work as claimed and garmin sell them for about £45+ vat

Rik · Apr 21, 2008, 15:46:08

I've not tried one, Steve. Previously I've used parallel to serial converters OK, so it ought to be a doddle to make one that works on a USB. Alternatively, it might be as cheap to sling in a card if you have the space.

Steve · Apr 21, 2008, 16:03:12

Thats an idea!! So I should be able to find a PCI serial interface card, its bound to be cheaper than Garmin. I use the PC to download routes from memmory map for the annual long distance walk.

Inactive · Apr 21, 2008, 16:06:53

I could not live without my Serial port, I use mine often.

That is a backwards step for makers to do away with them IMO.

Rik · Apr 21, 2008, 16:07:19

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=676581

£17.02

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=36024&doy=21m4

£19.99

More expensive than I expected, possibly a sign of low production these days.

Sebby · Apr 21, 2008, 16:45:58

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/High-Quality-PCI-I-O-Expansion-2-Port-Serial-RS232-Card_W0QQitemZ260232188919QQihZ016QQcategoryZ90719QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

£5.98 (including delivery)

Rik · Apr 21, 2008, 16:48:41

Nice find, Sebby, more the price I was expecting. Mind you, I also found a Brainbox card for £96!!

Steve · Apr 21, 2008, 17:42:48

Thanks for the links, I was surprised I much you can pay for one of these, I need to do further digging to discover whether any of these are vista compatible

Gary · Apr 21, 2008, 17:55:20

Quote from: Inactive on Apr 21, 2008, 16:06:53
I could not live without my Serial port, I use mine often.

That is a backwards step for makers to do away with them IMO.

I have not used a serial port in years In, I mean who goes sailing with their

breakfast anyway

Lance · Apr 21, 2008, 18:00:41

I use a serial port for interfacing with Nicky's diabetes blood test monitor, the software produces lots of pretty graphs, trends etc.

Rik · Apr 21, 2008, 18:01:59

Quote from: stevethegas on Apr 21, 2008, 17:42:48
Thanks for the links, I was surprised I much you can pay for one of these, I need to do further digging to discover whether any of these are vista compatible

Hopefully they are just standard hardware for which Vista has its own drivers.

talos2 · Apr 21, 2008, 19:23:45

I use one of those I got off EBay, works like a dream on my garmin, £5 odd I think.

bob_s · Apr 21, 2008, 21:54:04

Ive used usb to rs232 at work, and they work well. Just plug them in and they are available. The only tricky bit is setting the com port in windows xp for the software, some older programs only like the com1 or com2 for the connection.

Steve · Apr 21, 2008, 22:43:01

Well its a fiver each way,there,s a cable on Amazon with good reviews I'll try that first

Inactive · Apr 21, 2008, 23:46:24

Quote from: Killhippie on Apr 21, 2008, 17:55:20
I have not used a serial port in years In, I mean who goes sailing with their breakfast anyway

I use mine to download software updates to my satellite receiver/s.

talos2 · Apr 22, 2008, 09:01:45

Quote from: Killhippie on Apr 21, 2008, 17:55:20
I have not used a serial port in years In, I mean who goes sailing with their breakfast anyway

I just twigged, thats got to be worth a

Sebby · Apr 29, 2008, 13:36:14

I don't if it's too late, but I just saw this and it might be of interest...
http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/177330/usb-to-rs232-dongle-with-extension-/

Gary · Apr 29, 2008, 13:50:17

Quote from: Sebby on Apr 29, 2008, 13:36:14
I don't if it's too late, but I just saw this and it might be of interest...
http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/177330/usb-to-rs232-dongle-with-extension-/

Good Link Sebby

john · Apr 29, 2008, 14:00:43

Thanks for posting the link Sebby,

I've been toying with buying one of these for a while but it's got an RS232 port rather than a USB.

I've not used a PC with an RS232 port for over 15 years.

Gary · Apr 29, 2008, 14:06:34

Quote from: john on Apr 29, 2008, 14:00:43
Thanks for posting the link Sebby,

I've been toying with buying one of these for a while but it's got an RS232 port rather than a USB.

I've not used a PC with an RS232 port for over 15 years.

Arcam do make some gorgeous equipment

john · Apr 29, 2008, 18:15:40

Quote from: Killhippie on Apr 29, 2008, 14:06:34
Arcam do make some gorgeous equipment

So I've heard Gary, (or rather I've not heard it yet).

I cannot understand why they've used an RS232 port as they're not that common these days.

THe only other thing is that I belive that there are moves to upgrade DAB radio to DAB+ but I don't know what the timescale is. DAB+ is supposed to address some of the limitations of DAB.

Rik · Apr 29, 2008, 18:20:54

From what I've read, though, Ofcom are resisting.

john · Apr 29, 2008, 18:27:44

Quote from: Rik on Apr 29, 2008, 18:20:54
From what I've read, though, Ofcom are resisting.

That doesn't suprise me Rik.

Steve · Apr 29, 2008, 18:45:20

I purchased this one, works fine, comes with vista drivers

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00077DJIQ

Dangerjunkie · Apr 30, 2008, 14:56:46

Hi,

I use this one http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29968&criteria=usb%20serial&doy=30m4 It works absolutely flawlessly with Windows XP (if you download the PL2303 driver from http://www.prolific.com.tw ) and also with Linux (using the built in kernel drivers)

It's a little pricey but does exactly what it says on the tin.

Cheers,
Paul.