HP48G data cable serial vs usb?

[Jedidiah Smith]

I always regretted giving my 48G to my brother when I bought the 49G, so I'm pretty jazzed to have just won an HP48G off Ebay. Already thinking about connecting it to my laptop and transferring programs over...

Has anyone tried one of these HP48G to USB cables? Seems 2x the price of a standard HP48G to serial cable, but would eliminate the need for an adapter. Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Cable-for-HP-48G-48GX-48SX-w-DVD-Factory-Made-New-/180661859591?pt=Calculators&hash=item2a10493507

Or do most of you use the standard HP48G to serial cable with a serial to USB adapter, and if so, is there a particular brand or one to recommend that is compatible with Windows 7 64bit?
Thank you for your time as always,
Jed

[Leviatan]

Jedidiah Smith nos ha comentado:

> Has anyone tried one of these HP48G to USB cables? Seems 2x the price of a
> standard HP48G to serial cable, but would eliminate the need for an adapter.
> Link:
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Cable-for-HP-48G-48GX-48SX-w-DVD-Factory-Made-New-/180661859591?pt=Calculators&hash=item2a10493507

Sorry, I've never used one.

> Or do most of you use the standard HP48G to serial cable with a serial to USB
> adapter, and if so, is there a particular brand or one to recommend that is
> compatible with Windows 7 64bit? Thank you for your time as always, Jed

That is the approach I used; and I'm afraid taht not every one works.
First, because of the drivers; I had one (belkin) that worked ok in XP,
but when switched to 7 it was not possible to find the drivers;
finally, get them from the chip manufacturer (prolific) after long
research.

Basically, look for an adapter with prolific or, even better, FTDI
chip; they have drivers for vista and 7.

Second, the logic levels that the HP generates are not high enough for
some converters to detect them, so no communication can be established.
It happend to me with an HP branded adapter.

The product whose link you post probably has one of those chips and it
should detect HP48 levels (I hope the manufacturar has made a little
research when chosing the components). If they provide win 7 drivers,
I'll go for it.

--
Un saludo,
Alberto

[Teketron357]

Hello, the cable does come with Windows 7 drivers (32 and 64 bits). For file exchange between PC and HP48, a manual transfer is needed when using HP Connectivity Software v4 (XMODEM Version). If using HP Connectivity Software v3 (Kermit Version), the automatic data transfer works good (drag and drop of files).

HP Connectivity Software v4 (XMODEM Version):
--- Yes, it works under Windows 7, Vista and XP.
--- Installs without the Windows XP comparability mode.
--- It is suggested that you install it with Windows XP comparability mode.

HP Connectivity Software v3 (Kermit Version):
--- Yes, it works with Windows 7, Vista and XP.
--- Windows XP comparability mode is strongly suggested when installed under 7 or Vista.


Here is the listing that provides both the USB cable and the DB9 cable in one price:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170969001570


Thanks,
-Steve.

[Eric Rechlin]

"Teketron357" <teket...@live.com> wrote:
> Here is the listing that provides both the USB cable and the DB9 cable in
> one price:
>
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/170969001570

Wow, this is amazing. This looks like a factory-made, custom-manufactured
new product designed specifically for the 48 series. I'm surprised anyone
is still willing to put that kind of investment into such a thing.

I wonder what USB to serial chip it uses? It would be really sad if the
manufacturer went to all that work to make a fancy cable but wasn't willing
to spend the $5 for a good FTDI chip. If it doesn't have an FTDI chip, I'd
still recommend buying a regular serial cable and using an FTDI USB to
serial adapter.

Eric

[Teketron357]

> I wonder what USB to serial chip it uses? It would be really sad if the
>
> manufacturer went to all that work to make a fancy cable but wasn't willing
>
> to spend the $5 for a good FTDI chip. If it doesn't have an FTDI chip, I'd
>
> still recommend buying a regular serial cable and using an FTDI USB to
>
> serial adapter.
>
>
>
> Eric

Hi Eric, the cable uses the chip from Silicon LABS (US Based Chipmaker). The drivers install with no problems under any Windows OS (32 bit and 64 bit). The drivers are still not ported to Windows 8 as it just recently rolled-out.

The FTDI chips have a great reputation and are used by many embedded system designs as I am sure you know. Along the last two years, I have tested the chips from Prolific as well, they also work pretty good if the internal design is good. I personally tested the Prolific designs from Belkin and they work good. Also tested other designs from Prolific and they were not as reliable (generic brands), I suspect the internal design was not good due to limited component count.

FTDI chips will be considered for the next manufacturing batch, but if they do not exceed the reliability of the Silicon LABS, then will probably not happen. Of course, each design and application have their own limitations and the appropriate electronic parts must be chosen.

You are right, the investment has been high for this cable. I know you know this first hand because you also have developed accessories for the HP50G.

Thank you for posting.

Regards,
-Steve.

[Jedidiah Smith]

On Saturday, February 16, 2013 3:59:33 AM UTC-8, Teketron357 wrote:
>...

> the cable uses the chip from Silicon LABS (US Based Chipmaker). The drivers install with no problems under any Windows OS (32 bit and 64 bit). The drivers are still not ported to Windows 8 as it just recently rolled-out.
>

> Regards,
>
> -Steve.

Hi Steve, just checking back in here and wanted to say thank you for personally replying to the group about your product. That speaks volumes for your dedication to quality and the production of this cable. I'll have to decide if I have any use for the serial cable and buying both together, otherwise I will just get the USB version. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if I even have a computer in the house with a serial port any more! :-)
Thanks for your time,
Jed

[Teketron357]

Hi Jed,

You are correct, computers now-days have no DB9 Serial Port, but the demand for RS232 is still available. I check the forum on a weekly basis and saw your posting. Thank you for your interest. By the way (not trying to advertise too much on the forum), you can get a discount at the eCrater store:

http://teknovouno.ecrater.com/p/16741047/usb-cable-for-hp-48g-48gx

Thank you for posting.

-Steve.

[Han]

For what it's worth, I did buy such a cable and have not had any issues with it.

[Jedidiah Smith]

Hi Steve, thanks for the personal reply, I appreciate your time and standing by your product. I have just placed an order for one, so thank you! :-)

And to Han, thanks for your vote of confidence, it looks like it should work with the two operating systems I use, so I will be happy.