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Serial Port Card?
Akilae729
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I need to connect something that connects through a RS 232 interface to a computer (Dell) that doesn't have any serial ports.
I assume that I can simply get a PCI card that adds this functionality to my machine. However, looking at serial port cards the prices range from about $30 to well over $200 and I can't figure out what i'm missing to create these massive price differences.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815150096
To me something like this looks fine. (Probably will just drive to Frys later in the week and pick up something similar)
Will a simple card like this suit my purposes, or is there more to serial ports than meets the eye?
I assume that I can simply get a PCI card that adds this functionality to my machine. However, looking at serial port cards the prices range from about $30 to well over $200 and I can't figure out what i'm missing to create these massive price differences.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815150096
To me something like this looks fine. (Probably will just drive to Frys later in the week and pick up something similar)
Will a simple card like this suit my purposes, or is there more to serial ports than meets the eye?
Akilae729 on
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200169&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Adapters+and+gender+changers-_-STARTECH-_-12200169
That card should be fine for normal RS-232 stuff. Or do you need RS-422 or RS-485 as well?
Just RS-232. I'll probably go to Frys on Thursday when I can drive there on the clock and find something similar.
As far as the USB adapter cable goes, the device I'm using actually has a USB connection option, however the drivers written for it are piss poor. Tech support actually recommended the serial connection as more reliable.
I think he meant a USB -> serial port adapter, as opposed to the PCI adapter that you're looking for. Then plug your device into the serial port, and you're set.
If you're going to go the usb > serial route I'd get a name brand like Belkin.
I agree. Most usb virtual serial drivers are crap. I'm still testing the Ingenico ones.
I'm curious, what do you need the rs 232 card for? There aren't any tricks. If you just need an rs 232 port then a $30 addon card will work fine.
The computer that has the required data acquisition software does not have a serial port and the interferometer has the option to be connected via Serial port or USB.
Its the USB drivers, as well as the handling of a USB channel in the interferometer software that are sub par. So im going to simply use a serial connection.
$30 card will do just fine
It's cheaper unless you think you'll need a com2 sometime in the future.
I work with LCPD's, ELO Touchscreens, Ingenico pinpads (like you see at 7-11), OPOS printers and other out-of-date devices that require com/lpt ports and other archaic interfaces. We regularly have clients buying new computers that they can't use old peripherals on so I'm used to having people upgrade.