USB to Serial Adaptor information

Cameron S has given us some valuable feedback on his USB converter experiences. Thanks Cam. Here are the details:

I've been playing around with numerous USB to Serial adaptors and after trying quite a few non-compatible units, I stumbled on a 100% compatible item. I tried a few different brands, Belkin and a few no name Chinese jobbies, hoping they would do the trick. After installing the drivers and working out which comm port the adaptors were using, I'd start up Nissan Data Scan and things would work fine for about 10 seconds, followed by a BSOD each time! AARRRGGGHHHH!!

I tried a few different computers, thinking it could be the OS, but it wasn't. Turn's out that not all USB to Serial adaptors are built the same and the ones to go for are the ones that use a FTDI FT232BM chipset. A UK company by the name of Easy Sync (http://www.easysync.co.uk) makes a USB to Serial adaptor using this chipset and Dontronics (http://www.dontronics.com/usb_232.html) in Victoria is an Australian distributor. One of them set me back $60, but they work flawlessly.

Ironically, a couple of days after successfully testing the adaptor, Xtronics, makers of the ROMulator hardware, made an update to their web site listing this particular USB to Serial adaptor as the only one they know of that works with their hardware too. If only I had have known this earlier, it may have saved me some money. Oh well...




One of our users in the USA has located a USB converter that uses the FTDI chip mentioned above for a bargain price. Details below. Thanks Burkhart!

Hi Pete, Found a USB supplier here in the states that has the correct chip in their adapter.......$17.79 USD!!!! Tried it out yesterday and it works flawlessly.

If you could, please let your US customers know about this. Here is the web site:

http://store.yahoo.com/cooldrives/usb-to-serial-adapter.html

Just to let you all know....your product works great and plan to use it regularly.
Burkhart




Dave from NZ tells us that the Dick Smith USB to Serial converter XH8290 works fine too - as long as you set the com port number to something low. Thanks Dave.


Alex G has used this setup with good results : Windows XP SP2 --> Belkin Part # F5U409-CU USB to serial adapter --> PLMS consult interface --> S14 series 1 200sx, all worked fine. Thanks Alex.

Another way is to use a PCMCIA to RS232 Cable. These can be had on eBay from this seller. Charles B got a "Cliptec" brand adaptor off eBay and it works fine with our interface. Thanks Charles.