Re: No more X10 at Radio Shack?

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

"Bill Kearney" <wkearney99@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>> >Single port USB->RS232 adapters typically run $10-$20 online.  Granted,
>> >some local stores like CompUSA and BestBuy may sell "branded" units like
>> >Belkin (bleah) at 3X-5X higher prices.
>>
>> Which makes it uneconomical to add an FTDI or SiliconLabs USB-serial chip
>> internally to embedded devices. It costs nearly as much as the external
>> adapter.
>
>Well, also consider that keeping a device based on RS-232 avoids having to
>make two units.  Just ship one, using serial, and make sure it plays well
>with various USB-serial adapters.  Yeah, it's nice when a unit has a direct
>USB port on it but I can understand why some vendors might not want to
>bother.  I run most of my serial gear off Edgeport multi-port usb-serial
>adapters and they work great.  Saves a lot of hassles having just one USB
>port and driver on the PC and not a bunch of cheesy fleabay purchased
>adapters with conflicting drivers.

It's possible to support both but that adds the cost of the adapter to all
of them adding to the cost for even those who do not need USB.

The USB chips typically cost $3-5 plus a few caps, sometimes a crystal, plus
a connector, as well as increasing board size. It adds $15-20 at retail and
adds to the support burden.

http://www.mouser.com/search/Refine.aspx?Ne=1447464+254016&Ntt=*TUSB3410IVF*&Ntx=mode%2bmatchall&Mkw=TUSB3410IVF&N=1323038&Ntk=Mouser_Wildcards

I've always found anything sold by Byterunner is reliable and can be
recommended and I usually buy and test anything I recommend. They have a
single port adapter that retails for $9.95. Since Charles Sullivan has
tested it I won't bother.

http://www.byterunner.com/byterunner/product_name=Y-105/user-id=/password=/exchange=/exact_match=exact

Anyone who builds it in can't count. ;-)


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