Syba EXP15005 Expresscard serial port (Great for Hydra)

[dexterous]

Guys, I just thought I would share a great find with you. I have a Hydra and have long struggled with USB adapters (even really good ones) that just dont seem to be stable enough. The consequences have been blue screens of death, corrupt maps, lost time, etc. I recently discovered a low cost PCI based Express card module that allows you to add a RS232 serial port to most modern laptops for $20 shipped! The idea here is that the Syba EXP15005 Express Card module is PCIe based so there's no adaptation, its a true serial port. Its similar in concept to adding a PCI card internally to a desktop computer and in my testing just as stable. Keep in mind that the card requires an Expresscard/34 (or 54) slot on your laptop. In my experience (I am in IT) I typically only see Expresscard slots on higher end laptops but thats not always the case.

Here's a link to the best deal that I could find. Enjoy!

http://www.amazon.com/Syba-SD-EXP15005-Express-MCS9901-Chipset/dp/B0026713WE

P.S. Just in case you were wondering, I have tested this card and it works with Windows 7 64bit (have not tested 32bit but it should work just fine) as well as Mac OS X 10.6 (mac drivers seem to be built into 10.6).

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[Bluedemon_II]

Does it work with windows 7 64 bit? I have a vaio laptop and on I have to use Virtual machine to emulate windows xp to be able to use a Serial to usb adapter so I can connect to my Aem ems. This in general is a pita.

My Vaio has a slot that says Express card but I don't know if it is /34 or /54. How can I tell?

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by dexterous

Guys, I just thought I would share a great find with you. I have a Hydra and have long struggled with USB adapters (even really good ones) that just dont seem to be stable enough. The consequences have been blue screens of death, corrupt maps, lost time, etc. I recently discovered a low cost PCI based Express card module that allows you to add a RS232 serial port to most modern laptops for $20 shipped! The idea here is that the Syba EXP15005 Express Card module is PCIe based so there's no adaptation, its a true serial port. Its similar in concept to adding a PCI card internally to a desktop computer and in my testing just as stable. Keep in mind that the card requires an Expresscard/34 (or 54) slot on your laptop. In my experience (I am in IT) I typically only see Expresscard slots on higher end laptops but thats not always the case.

Here's a link to the best deal that I could find. Enjoy!

Amazon.com: Syba SD-EXP15005 1x Serial RS232 Port Express Card with MCS9901 Chipset: Electronics


P.S. Just in case you were wondering, I have tested this card and it works with Mac OS X 10.6 (drivers seem to be built into the OS) as well as Windows 7 64bit (have not tested 32bit but it should work just fine).

Wow, that's cheap! Great find!

I use the Startech card but I know those are $70 or so.

Hydra is telling me the FTDI chipped USB-Serial adapters are working well with Windows 7. Have you tested that when you struggled with the USB?

[korhan]

THanks for the input,

i just ordered and looking with 4 eyes to see if it works with my god damm 64 bit.

Originally Posted by Element Tuning

Wow, that's cheap! Great find!

I use the Startech card but I know those are $70 or so.

Hydra is telling me the FTDI chipped USB-Serial adapters are working well with Windows 7. Have you tested that when you struggled with the USB?

[dexterous]

I am using this with a Windows 7 64bit machine and it works well.

[dexterous]

Originally Posted by Element Tuning

Wow, that's cheap! Great find!

I use the Startech card but I know those are $70 or so.

Hydra is telling me the FTDI chipped USB-Serial adapters are working well with Windows 7. Have you tested that when you struggled with the USB?

No, didnt see that. I was previously using a keyspan USB adapter which seemed to work well for a long time but then I started getting the blue screen issue. I guess its possible that the Keyspan just failed but this little gem was 1/4 the price of the Keyspan.