USB <=> serial RS232 adapter - which one? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2018, 03:05:58 pm
content: I'm looking for a few cheap USB/serial adapters.I'm using an ATEN UC232 one at the moment that seems to work OK.Any pointers to eBay items that you've purchased and itworked OKon Win7 to Win10?I'd prefer a packaged/enclosed unit but an open PCB is OK too.Thanks

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2018, 03:13:31 pm
content: What do you call cheap and what do you want to use them for?

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 01, 2018, 03:25:23 pm
content: Cheap isn't good, good isn't cheap. This is what myself and my fellow field service techs carry:https://www.ebay.com/itm/StarTech-ICUSB2321F-USB-to-Serial-Adapter-1-Port-USB-Powered-FTDI-USB-UART/292369850194?epid=1939647707&hash=item441299df52:g:B2IAAOSw0exZ51NPEDIT: forgot to mention that I have used this on Win7 Enterprise 32 and 64 bit and Win10 Professional 64 bit.

author: taydin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2018, 04:00:11 pm
content: I have had very good results with the Digitus adapters

author: Messtechniker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2018, 04:05:36 pm
content: I have used (all non-fake) Prolific 2303 XA/HXA, FT232R and CP 2102 on W7 32 and 64 Bitas well as W10 32 and 64 Bit in connection with slow Baud rates. Have had problems inone way or the other with all of these. These probs can in most cases be resolved bytweaking the extended COM settings in different ways. A trial and error thing.Having become fed up with this, I moved on to use USRIOT USR-TCP232- T2 modulesto move the data in via the network. This proved to be much more stable without theneed for any tweaking. Here too beware of inoperative fakes.The modules must carry the imprint "USR-TCP232- T2" underneath.Oops. Just saw that you are looking for something different.

author: LaserSteve
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2018, 04:13:06 pm
content: I'll second the Startech....Steve

author: noidea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 01, 2018, 04:26:34 pm
content: Quote from: DTJ on January 01, 2018, 03:05:58 pmWhat's wrong with the current ATEN ones you are using? I've tried a few different ones and find the ATENs are the most trouble free and reliable for not that much more than generic rubbish. I'm in Oz like you and have a special hate reserved for the ones that Jaycar peddle which show as prolific but I doubt that they are really.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2018, 05:56:03 pm
content: Startech are a good compromise not low end, but not too expensive.In saying that I have an anoying problem with a 4 Port Startech unit, which uses TI chips. It was fine under Win7, but under Win10 ports appear to go to sleep if not used for a few minutes. Then when a command is sent it takes a half second or so to output it and afterwards is fine again. In most applications this would not be noticed, but in this case it is used to control PTZ cameras. I have turned off all the power save settings, but it makes no difference. I must see if TI have updated the drivers recently.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 02, 2018, 12:40:51 am
content: Quote from: Towger on January 01, 2018, 05:56:03 pmIncluding the USB and PCI Express settings in power options in control panel? We found that both had to be disabled/off, not just the USB Root power management.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2018, 02:34:47 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on January 01, 2018, 03:13:31 pmYeah, sorry, I did a poor job asking....Cheap is <Au$20I use my current one for all sorts of things - talking to legacy gear, uC projects etc.Quote from: noidea on January 01, 2018, 04:26:34 pmNothing wrong with the ATEN, I just need another one or two.Thanks for the tip on the jaycar crap.Thanks for the suggestions of the Digitus & Startech units, I'll check them out.