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which USB adapter ? — Parallax Forums

which USB adapter ?

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2004-05-05 07:29 in General Discussion
Hi all,

I've reviewed many of the posts regarding USB adapters and BAFO seems
to the be odd-on favorite and there were some posts that the BAFO was
what Parallax was offering.

The current adapter is not a BAFO.
http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=800-00030

There is no note of USB 1.1 or 2.0 compatability and there is a link
to the drivers.

I had thought some of the USB stuff was recognised by Windows and did
not need drivers ?

My interest is two fold. one is just to program from a laptop, but
the other is to use one of these as a connection for both serial and
power from a PC.


Dave

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-05-03 22:32
    > I've reviewed many of the posts regarding USB adapters and BAFO seems
    > to the be odd-on favorite and there were some posts that the BAFO was
    > what Parallax was offering.
    >
    > The current adapter is not a BAFO.
    > http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=800-00030
    >
    > There is no note of USB 1.1 or 2.0 compatability and there is a link
    > to the drivers.
    >
    > I had thought some of the USB stuff was recognised by Windows and did
    > not need drivers ?
    >
    > My interest is two fold. one is just to program from a laptop, but
    > the other is to use one of these as a connection for both serial and
    > power from a PC.

    I've just spent two weeks qualifying USB to serial adapters. Although I was
    doing this for Macintosh I did test them on PeeCee's also. The Keyspan
    USA-19Qi & QW devices worked ok on WinDoze '98; The USA-19 (PDA) device did
    not. I couldn't get any of them to work on W2K. The drivers installed just
    fine and the BS2 & Javelin IDE's both ran but nether could see the device on
    the serial port. (Note: since I'm a Mac-head the problem could be one of
    ignorance; I just didn't know how to wave the dead-chicken over my PeeCee to
    get it to work. ;-)

    I then tried the FDTI (FTDI?) and BAFO devices. Same story: Ok on W98; no-go
    on W2K.

    FYI: Mac OS X wouldn't do 28.8K. Period. It was a limitation of the TTY
    serial layer of BSD. I hacked that to include 28.8K as a valid speed and now
    all the devices except the PDA device work just fine.

    BTW: I can now reset, halt, single-step, etc. the Javelin Stamp from my
    Macintosh! ;-) I can download also but I haven't quiet figured out what the
    embedded JVM needs for me to download to it. In other words, I know the
    protocol but not the content. ;-)

    --
    Enjoy,
    George Warner,
    Schizophrenic Optimization Scientists
    Apple Developer Technical Support (DTS)
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-05-03 22:39
    George Warner wrote:

    >>I've reviewed many of the posts regarding USB adapters and BAFO seems
    >>to the be odd-on favorite and there were some posts that the BAFO was
    >>what Parallax was offering.
    >>
    >>The current adapter is not a BAFO.
    >>http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=800-00030
    >>
    >>There is no note of USB 1.1 or 2.0 compatability and there is a link
    >>to the drivers.
    >>
    >>I had thought some of the USB stuff was recognised by Windows and did
    >>not need drivers ?
    >>
    >>My interest is two fold. one is just to program from a laptop, but
    >>the other is to use one of these as a connection for both serial and
    >>power from a PC.
    >>
    >>
    >
    >I've just spent two weeks qualifying USB to serial adapters. Although I was
    >doing this for Macintosh I did test them on PeeCee's also. The Keyspan
    >USA-19Qi & QW devices worked ok on WinDoze '98; The USA-19 (PDA) device did
    >not. I couldn't get any of them to work on W2K. The drivers installed just
    >fine and the BS2 & Javelin IDE's both ran but nether could see the device on
    >the serial port. (Note: since I'm a Mac-head the problem could be one of
    >ignorance; I just didn't know how to wave the dead-chicken over my PeeCee to
    >get it to work. ;-)
    >
    >I then tried the FDTI (FTDI?) and BAFO devices. Same story: Ok on W98; no-go
    >on W2K.
    >
    >FYI: Mac OS X wouldn't do 28.8K. Period. It was a limitation of the TTY
    >serial layer of BSD. I hacked that to include 28.8K as a valid speed and now
    >all the devices except the PDA device work just fine.
    >
    >BTW: I can now reset, halt, single-step, etc. the Javelin Stamp from my
    >Macintosh! ;-) I can download also but I haven't quiet figured out what the
    >embedded JVM needs for me to download to it. In other words, I know the
    >protocol but not the content. ;-)
    >
    >
    >
    I can verify that keyspan USA-19W works with a BS2 under windows 2K and
    linux. I use it with the board of education with no troubles.
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-05-04 00:04
    Yup, Parallax pulled a switchero here. I just recently ordered and
    received a second BAFO device (about a month ago), but now they are
    showing the FTDI device. Maybe they had a supply problem - they were
    back ordered for a while earlier in the year.

    My concern would be the operability with other serial devices.
    Parallax only makes claims about using it with their stamps. I found
    that the BAFO also works with several of my other devices: Yaesu VX5
    ham radio, Stamp 2, Casio IR watch interface, and Garmin GPS.

    It would be nice to see FTDI test results with a broader array of
    products.

    Dick W7AND


    On Mon, 03 May 2004 14:32:50 -0700, you wrote:

    >> I've reviewed many of the posts regarding USB adapters and BAFO seems
    >> to the be odd-on favorite and there were some posts that the BAFO was
    >> what Parallax was offering.
    >>
    >> The current adapter is not a BAFO.
    >> http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=800-00030
    >>
    >> There is no note of USB 1.1 or 2.0 compatability and there is a link
    >> to the drivers.
    >>
    >> I had thought some of the USB stuff was recognised by Windows and did
    >> not need drivers ?
    >>
    >> My interest is two fold. one is just to program from a laptop, but
    >> the other is to use one of these as a connection for both serial and
    >> power from a PC.
    >
    >I've just spent two weeks qualifying USB to serial adapters. Although I was
    >doing this for Macintosh I did test them on PeeCee's also. The Keyspan
    >USA-19Qi & QW devices worked ok on WinDoze '98; The USA-19 (PDA) device did
    >not. I couldn't get any of them to work on W2K. The drivers installed just
    >fine and the BS2 & Javelin IDE's both ran but nether could see the device on
    >the serial port. (Note: since I'm a Mac-head the problem could be one of
    >ignorance; I just didn't know how to wave the dead-chicken over my PeeCee to
    >get it to work. ;-)
    >
    >I then tried the FDTI (FTDI?) and BAFO devices. Same story: Ok on W98; no-go
    >on W2K.
    >
    >FYI: Mac OS X wouldn't do 28.8K. Period. It was a limitation of the TTY
    >serial layer of BSD. I hacked that to include 28.8K as a valid speed and now
    >all the devices except the PDA device work just fine.
    >
    >BTW: I can now reset, halt, single-step, etc. the Javelin Stamp from my
    >Macintosh! ;-) I can download also but I haven't quiet figured out what the
    >embedded JVM needs for me to download to it. In other words, I know the
    >protocol but not the content. ;-)
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-05-04 12:10
    Good morning, Ken

    We are working on a project where the customer has only a laptop with no
    serial ports, so we are going to have to use your adapter in order for him to talk
    to the Stamp. I don't know yet what his platform is but assuming it is XP,
    would he:

    Ddownload and install Stamp Editor
    Download FTDI drivers
    Connect Stamp to adapter
    Connect adapter to USB port
    Set Default Com Port to AUTO

    Would the Stamp automatically find the USB port or do we have to do something
    else?

    Sid


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-05-04 15:15
    In a message dated 5/4/2004 2:09:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
    kgracey2001@y... writes:


    > Let me know if you want an adapter to test it out. I'll send it to
    > you right away so you can verify on your clean system and report back
    > your findings to me.
    >

    That would be great, Ken. I really need to make sure I pass exactly the
    right information to my customer. I under stand your "clarifications". It
    appears you are plugging in the USB cable with the adapter attached but not plugged
    into the Stamp.

    Point Windows to the correct FTDI driver for the user's specific
    operating system

    Does this window come up automatically as soon as I plug in the adapter?
    You said nothing about downloading the FTDI drivers - are these already on my
    computer? I'm running XP.

    Sid


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-05-04 15:56
    Dick et. al,

    The switcheroo we pulled is to your benefit, entirely. We used to
    stock the BAFO adapter but the different operating system drivers
    were not up to standard because we experienced issues with XP and
    several of our products.

    As part of an exhaustive search we came across the FTDI adapter.
    Simply put, it's superior. FTDI is the world leader in USB to serial
    chips and development tools. Their adapter works with all of our
    products under a variety of operating system conditions. Aside from
    the chip's firmware, FTDI has what I call "driver accountability".
    Because their chip is used in anything from PDA adapters to
    keyboards, you can count on them to have the best drivers.

    As for using the FTDI adapter with a broader variety of products than
    Stamps, I'm willing to bet you'll find better success than with your
    prior adapters. Please hold the skepticism until you give it a try.

    Sincerely,

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.





    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Dick Ballard <ballardr@a...>
    wrote:
    > Yup, Parallax pulled a switchero here. I just recently ordered and
    > received a second BAFO device (about a month ago), but now they are
    > showing the FTDI device. Maybe they had a supply problem - they were
    > back ordered for a while earlier in the year.
    >
    > My concern would be the operability with other serial devices.
    > Parallax only makes claims about using it with their stamps. I found
    > that the BAFO also works with several of my other devices: Yaesu VX5
    > ham radio, Stamp 2, Casio IR watch interface, and Garmin GPS.
    >
    > It would be nice to see FTDI test results with a broader array of
    > products.
    >
    > Dick W7AND
    >
    >
    > On Mon, 03 May 2004 14:32:50 -0700, you wrote:
    >
    > >> I've reviewed many of the posts regarding USB adapters and BAFO
    seems
    > >> to the be odd-on favorite and there were some posts that the
    BAFO was
    > >> what Parallax was offering.
    > >>
    > >> The current adapter is not a BAFO.
    > >> http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=800-00030
    > >>
    > >> There is no note of USB 1.1 or 2.0 compatability and there is a
    link
    > >> to the drivers.
    > >>
    > >> I had thought some of the USB stuff was recognised by Windows
    and did
    > >> not need drivers ?
    > >>
    > >> My interest is two fold. one is just to program from a laptop,
    but
    > >> the other is to use one of these as a connection for both serial
    and
    > >> power from a PC.
    > >
    > >I've just spent two weeks qualifying USB to serial adapters.
    Although I was
    > >doing this for Macintosh I did test them on PeeCee's also. The
    Keyspan
    > >USA-19Qi & QW devices worked ok on WinDoze '98; The USA-19 (PDA)
    device did
    > >not. I couldn't get any of them to work on W2K. The drivers
    installed just
    > >fine and the BS2 & Javelin IDE's both ran but nether could see the
    device on
    > >the serial port. (Note: since I'm a Mac-head the problem could be
    one of
    > >ignorance; I just didn't know how to wave the dead-chicken over my
    PeeCee to
    > >get it to work. ;-)
    > >
    > >I then tried the FDTI (FTDI?) and BAFO devices. Same story: Ok on
    W98; no-go
    > >on W2K.
    > >
    > >FYI: Mac OS X wouldn't do 28.8K. Period. It was a limitation of
    the TTY
    > >serial layer of BSD. I hacked that to include 28.8K as a valid
    speed and now
    > >all the devices except the PDA device work just fine.
    > >
    > >BTW: I can now reset, halt, single-step, etc. the Javelin Stamp
    from my
    > >Macintosh! ;-) I can download also but I haven't quiet figured out
    what the
    > >embedded JVM needs for me to download to it. In other words, I
    know the
    > >protocol but not the content. ;-)
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-05-04 19:08
    Hello Sid,

    Basically that's the method I use with success with a few
    clarifications:

    1. Download and install Stamp Editor
    2. Plug in FTDI device adapter
    3. Point Windows to the correct FTDI driver for the user's specific
    operating system

    These steps may not be necessary, but I do them anyway:

    4. Check Windows Device Manager for the virtual COM port assigned to
    the USB port - commit to memory
    5. Add the COM port to the Stamp Editor if it is not already present,
    then choose AUTO

    Then back to the normal routine:

    6. Connect FTDI USB-Serial adapter to Stamp development board
    7. Program Stamp as usual

    Let me know if you want an adapter to test it out. I'll send it to
    you right away so you can verify on your clean system and report back
    your findings to me.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc

    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Newzed@a... wrote:
    > Good morning, Ken
    >
    > We are working on a project where the customer has only a laptop
    with no
    > serial ports, so we are going to have to use your adapter in order
    for him to talk
    > to the Stamp. I don't know yet what his platform is but assuming
    it is XP,
    > would he:
    >
    > Ddownload and install Stamp Editor
    > Download FTDI drivers
    > Connect Stamp to adapter
    > Connect adapter to USB port
    > Set Default Com Port to AUTO
    >
    > Would the Stamp automatically find the USB port or do we have to do
    something
    > else?
    >
    > Sid
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-05-04 20:10
    No apology for the skepticism - I'm an engineer! (retired, but still
    very much a skeptical engineer). But I will offer some background to
    my comments.

    I spent many extra hours in my career sorting out unintended
    consequences of changes to hardware components. Not the least of these
    is the omission, on the part of the computer vendors, of the legacy
    serial port on desk top computers. I can't believe they saved much
    doing this. On a laptop, yes, the space issue is significant.

    I first tried the Belkin adapter which failed miserably on all of my
    devices. I then spent a lot of time searching for another device and
    found the well recommended BAFO which worked on all my stuff. It
    installed without incident on Windows XP. It also has a conveniently
    detachable full length USB cable which gets the adapter to a
    convenient location for connection to alternate devices without
    additional cabling.

    So I instinctively responded cautiously to yet another change. But I
    certainly do hope that the FTDI device does an even better job for
    those instances where you have experienced problems, and I will keep
    it in mind for the future. For now, I won't be able to comment on that
    because I already have an adequate supply of the BAFO's for my own
    hobby use.

    Thanks for jumping in to explain the change.

    Dick Ballard
    ballardr@a...


    On Tue, 04 May 2004 14:56:32 -0000, you wrote:

    >Dick et. al,
    >
    >The switcheroo we pulled is to your benefit, entirely. We used to
    >stock the BAFO adapter but the different operating system drivers
    >were not up to standard because we experienced issues with XP and
    >several of our products.
    >
    >As part of an exhaustive search we came across the FTDI adapter.
    >Simply put, it's superior. FTDI is the world leader in USB to serial
    >chips and development tools. Their adapter works with all of our
    >products under a variety of operating system conditions. Aside from
    >the chip's firmware, FTDI has what I call "driver accountability".
    >Because their chip is used in anything from PDA adapters to
    >keyboards, you can count on them to have the best drivers.
    >
    >As for using the FTDI adapter with a broader variety of products than
    >Stamps, I'm willing to bet you'll find better success than with your
    >prior adapters. Please hold the skepticism until you give it a try.
    >
    >Sincerely,
    >
    >Ken Gracey
    >Parallax, Inc.
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Dick Ballard <ballardr@a...>
    >wrote:
    >> Yup, Parallax pulled a switchero here. I just recently ordered and
    >> received a second BAFO device (about a month ago), but now they are
    >> showing the FTDI device. Maybe they had a supply problem - they were
    >> back ordered for a while earlier in the year.
    >>
    >> My concern would be the operability with other serial devices.
    >> Parallax only makes claims about using it with their stamps. I found
    >> that the BAFO also works with several of my other devices: Yaesu VX5
    >> ham radio, Stamp 2, Casio IR watch interface, and Garmin GPS.
    >>
    >> It would be nice to see FTDI test results with a broader array of
    >> products.
    >>
    >> Dick W7AND
    >>
    >>
    >> On Mon, 03 May 2004 14:32:50 -0700, you wrote:
    >>
    >> >> I've reviewed many of the posts regarding USB adapters and BAFO
    >seems
    >> >> to the be odd-on favorite and there were some posts that the
    >BAFO was
    >> >> what Parallax was offering.
    >> >>
    >> >> The current adapter is not a BAFO.
    >> >> http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=800-00030
    >> >>
    >> >> There is no note of USB 1.1 or 2.0 compatability and there is a
    >link
    >> >> to the drivers.
    >> >>
    >> >> I had thought some of the USB stuff was recognised by Windows
    >and did
    >> >> not need drivers ?
    >> >>
    >> >> My interest is two fold. one is just to program from a laptop,
    >but
    >> >> the other is to use one of these as a connection for both serial
    >and
    >> >> power from a PC.
    >> >
    >> >I've just spent two weeks qualifying USB to serial adapters.
    >Although I was
    >> >doing this for Macintosh I did test them on PeeCee's also. The
    >Keyspan
    >> >USA-19Qi & QW devices worked ok on WinDoze '98; The USA-19 (PDA)
    >device did
    >> >not. I couldn't get any of them to work on W2K. The drivers
    >installed just
    >> >fine and the BS2 & Javelin IDE's both ran but nether could see the
    >device on
    >> >the serial port. (Note: since I'm a Mac-head the problem could be
    >one of
    >> >ignorance; I just didn't know how to wave the dead-chicken over my
    >PeeCee to
    >> >get it to work. ;-)
    >> >
    >> >I then tried the FDTI (FTDI?) and BAFO devices. Same story: Ok on
    >W98; no-go
    >> >on W2K.
    >> >
    >> >FYI: Mac OS X wouldn't do 28.8K. Period. It was a limitation of
    >the TTY
    >> >serial layer of BSD. I hacked that to include 28.8K as a valid
    >speed and now
    >> >all the devices except the PDA device work just fine.
    >> >
    >> >BTW: I can now reset, halt, single-step, etc. the Javelin Stamp
    >from my
    >> >Macintosh! ;-) I can download also but I haven't quiet figured out
    >what the
    >> >embedded JVM needs for me to download to it. In other words, I
    >know the
    >> >protocol but not the content. ;-)
    >
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
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    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-05-04 21:06
    > We are working on a project where the customer has only a laptop with no
    > serial ports, so we are going to have to use your adapter in order for him to
    talk
    > to the Stamp. I don't know yet what his platform is but assuming it is XP,
    > would he:
    >
    > Ddownload and install Stamp Editor
    > Download FTDI drivers
    > Connect Stamp to adapter
    > Connect adapter to USB port
    > Set Default Com Port to AUTO
    >
    > Would the Stamp automatically find the USB port or do we have to do something
    > else?

    Yes it will and no you won't. ;-)

    --
    Enjoy,
    George Warner,
    Schizophrenic Optimization Scientists
    Apple Developer Technical Support (DTS)
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-05-05 03:51
    Hi Sid,

    Sorry for the delay. I was in some kind of meeting most of the day.

    Your adapter was sent out today by our sales department.

    The FTDI adapters are on www.ftdichip.com

    When you plug in the device, Windows will ask you for the driver. You
    will need to point it to the correct folder, then you're on your way.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.



    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Newzed@a... wrote:
    > In a message dated 5/4/2004 2:09:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
    > kgracey2001@y... writes:
    >
    >
    > > Let me know if you want an adapter to test it out. I'll send it
    to
    > > you right away so you can verify on your clean system and report
    back
    > > your findings to me.
    > >
    >
    > That would be great, Ken. I really need to make sure I pass
    exactly the
    > right information to my customer. I under stand
    your "clarifications". It
    > appears you are plugging in the USB cable with the adapter attached
    but not plugged
    > into the Stamp.
    >
    > Point Windows to the correct FTDI driver for the user's specific
    > operating system
    >
    > Does this window come up automatically as soon as I plug in the
    adapter?
    > You said nothing about downloading the FTDI drivers - are these
    already on my
    > computer? I'm running XP.
    >
    > Sid
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-05-05 04:07
    Hello from Gregg C Levine
    Ken, a question unrelated to Sid's problem. (Good luck though!)

    Are these the same FTDI adapters ( www.ftdichip.com ) that are
    described on the www.lvr.com site, and one or two other places? I'm
    thinking about buying one of the USB to parallel devices for a nearly
    Stamp related project, and I would like some feedback. Feel free to
    write off list, if your not so sure that your reply will be relevant
    to the group's interests.
    Gregg C Levine hansolofalcon@w...
    "The Force will be with you...Always." Obi-Wan Kenobi
    "Use the Force, Luke."· Obi-Wan Kenobi

    >
    Original Message
    > From: Ken Gracey [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=mNW_vFIGogdavxlbKrXA2VLA5EnJISLbwPBb9QZV2DSytV9FKW-1BS9Imo9gCgbk2HQmXz6GVgXrg7G4EORJng]kgracey2001@y...[/url
    > Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 10:52 PM
    > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: which USB adapter ?
    >
    > Hi Sid,
    >
    > Sorry for the delay. I was in some kind of meeting most of the day.
    >
    > Your adapter was sent out today by our sales department.
    >
    > The FTDI adapters are on www.ftdichip.com
    >
    > When you plug in the device, Windows will ask you for the driver.
    You
    > will need to point it to the correct folder, then you're on your
    way.
    >
    > Ken Gracey
    > Parallax, Inc.
    >
    >
    >
    > --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Newzed@a... wrote:
    > > In a message dated 5/4/2004 2:09:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
    > > kgracey2001@y... writes:
    > >
    > >
    > > > Let me know if you want an adapter to test it out. I'll send it
    > to
    > > > you right away so you can verify on your clean system and report
    > back
    > > > your findings to me.
    > > >
    > >
    > > That would be great, Ken. I really need to make sure I pass
    > exactly the
    > > right information to my customer. I under stand
    > your "clarifications". It
    > > appears you are plugging in the USB cable with the adapter
    attached
    > but not plugged
    > > into the Stamp.
    > >
    > > Point Windows to the correct FTDI driver for the user's specific
    > > operating system
    > >
    > > Does this window come up automatically as soon as I plug in the
    > adapter?
    > > You said nothing about downloading the FTDI drivers - are these
    > already on my
    > > computer? I'm running XP.
    > >
    > > Sid
    > >
    > >
    > > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-05-05 07:27
    Ken Gracey wrote:

    >Dick et. al,
    >
    >The switcheroo we pulled is to your benefit, entirely. We used to
    >stock the BAFO adapter but the different operating system drivers
    >were not up to standard because we experienced issues with XP and
    >several of our products.
    >
    >As part of an exhaustive search we came across the FTDI adapter.
    >Simply put, it's superior. FTDI is the world leader in USB to serial
    >chips and development tools. Their adapter works with all of our
    >products under a variety of operating system conditions. Aside from
    >the chip's firmware, FTDI has what I call "driver accountability".
    >Because their chip is used in anything from PDA adapters to
    >keyboards, you can count on them to have the best drivers.
    >
    >

    I'll second that. I've done a bit of USB design myself, and am
    currently using the FTDI chips because of their great support of the
    product, and their driver updates. They've been more than helpful from
    the developer side of things, as well. I would have no qualms at all
    about recommend product using their chipsets.

    David Erbas-White

    >As for using the FTDI adapter with a broader variety of products than
    >Stamps, I'm willing to bet you'll find better success than with your
    >prior adapters. Please hold the skepticism until you give it a try.
    >
    >Sincerely,
    >
    >Ken Gracey
    >Parallax, Inc.
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Dick Ballard <ballardr@a...>
    >wrote:
    >
    >
    >>Yup, Parallax pulled a switchero here. I just recently ordered and
    >>received a second BAFO device (about a month ago), but now they are
    >>showing the FTDI device. Maybe they had a supply problem - they were
    >>back ordered for a while earlier in the year.
    >>
    >>My concern would be the operability with other serial devices.
    >>Parallax only makes claims about using it with their stamps. I found
    >>that the BAFO also works with several of my other devices: Yaesu VX5
    >>ham radio, Stamp 2, Casio IR watch interface, and Garmin GPS.
    >>
    >>It would be nice to see FTDI test results with a broader array of
    >>products.
    >>
    >>Dick W7AND
    >>
    >>
    >>On Mon, 03 May 2004 14:32:50 -0700, you wrote:
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>>>I've reviewed many of the posts regarding USB adapters and BAFO
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >seems
    >
    >
    >>>>to the be odd-on favorite and there were some posts that the
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >BAFO was
    >
    >
    >>>>what Parallax was offering.
    >>>>
    >>>>The current adapter is not a BAFO.
    >>>>http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=800-00030
    >>>>
    >>>>There is no note of USB 1.1 or 2.0 compatability and there is a
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >link
    >
    >
    >>>>to the drivers.
    >>>>
    >>>>I had thought some of the USB stuff was recognised by Windows
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >and did
    >
    >
    >>>>not need drivers ?
    >>>>
    >>>>My interest is two fold. one is just to program from a laptop,
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >but
    >
    >
    >>>>the other is to use one of these as a connection for both serial
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >and
    >
    >
    >>>>power from a PC.
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>I've just spent two weeks qualifying USB to serial adapters.
    >>>
    >>>
    >Although I was
    >
    >
    >>>doing this for Macintosh I did test them on PeeCee's also. The
    >>>
    >>>
    >Keyspan
    >
    >
    >>>USA-19Qi & QW devices worked ok on WinDoze '98; The USA-19 (PDA)
    >>>
    >>>
    >device did
    >
    >
    >>>not. I couldn't get any of them to work on W2K. The drivers
    >>>
    >>>
    >installed just
    >
    >
    >>>fine and the BS2 & Javelin IDE's both ran but nether could see the
    >>>
    >>>
    >device on
    >
    >
    >>>the serial port. (Note: since I'm a Mac-head the problem could be
    >>>
    >>>
    >one of
    >
    >
    >>>ignorance; I just didn't know how to wave the dead-chicken over my
    >>>
    >>>
    >PeeCee to
    >
    >
    >>>get it to work. ;-)
    >>>
    >>>I then tried the FDTI (FTDI?) and BAFO devices. Same story: Ok on
    >>>
    >>>
    >W98; no-go
    >
    >
    >>>on W2K.
    >>>
    >>>FYI: Mac OS X wouldn't do 28.8K. Period. It was a limitation of
    >>>
    >>>
    >the TTY
    >
    >
    >>>serial layer of BSD. I hacked that to include 28.8K as a valid
    >>>
    >>>
    >speed and now
    >
    >
    >>>all the devices except the PDA device work just fine.
    >>>
    >>>BTW: I can now reset, halt, single-step, etc. the Javelin Stamp
    >>>
    >>>
    >from my
    >
    >
    >>>Macintosh! ;-) I can download also but I haven't quiet figured out
    >>>
    >>>
    >what the
    >
    >
    >>>embedded JVM needs for me to download to it. In other words, I
    >>>
    >>>
    >know the
    >
    >
    >>>protocol but not the content. ;-)
    >>>
    >>>
    >
    >
    >
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    >
    >
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    >
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-05-05 07:29
    Gregg,

    I'm currently using the parallel version of the FTDI chip in a
    design,with great success. Feel free to contact me directly if you have
    any questions relating to that chip.

    David Erbas-White

    Gregg C Levine wrote:

    >Hello from Gregg C Levine
    >Ken, a question unrelated to Sid's problem. (Good luck though!)
    >
    >Are these the same FTDI adapters ( www.ftdichip.com ) that are
    >described on the www.lvr.com site, and one or two other places? I'm
    >thinking about buying one of the USB to parallel devices for a nearly
    >Stamp related project, and I would like some feedback. Feel free to
    >write off list, if your not so sure that your reply will be relevant
    >to the group's interests.
    >
    >Gregg C Levine hansolofalcon@w...
    >
    >"The Force will be with you...Always." Obi-Wan Kenobi
    >"Use the Force, Luke." Obi-Wan Kenobi
    >
    >
    >
    >>
    Original Message
    >>From: Ken Gracey [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=OY-JxvT4YS8PnXA6_HlVgJd5S8n2oABgNQ9XtB8B3OqHHv3zMGt4OVL_w1C-i_444BfKtc_hZUB9hwyd]kgracey2001@y...[/url
    >>Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 10:52 PM
    >>To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    >>Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: which USB adapter ?
    >>
    >>Hi Sid,
    >>
    >>Sorry for the delay. I was in some kind of meeting most of the day.
    >>
    >>Your adapter was sent out today by our sales department.
    >>
    >>The FTDI adapters are on www.ftdichip.com
    >>
    >>When you plug in the device, Windows will ask you for the driver.
    >>
    >>
    >You
    >
    >
    >>will need to point it to the correct folder, then you're on your
    >>
    >>
    >way.
    >
    >
    >>Ken Gracey
    >>Parallax, Inc.
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Newzed@a... wrote:
    >>
    >>
    >>>In a message dated 5/4/2004 2:09:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
    >>>kgracey2001@y... writes:
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>>Let me know if you want an adapter to test it out. I'll send it
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>to
    >>
    >>
    >>>>you right away so you can verify on your clean system and report
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>back
    >>
    >>
    >>>>your findings to me.
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>That would be great, Ken. I really need to make sure I pass
    >>>
    >>>
    >>exactly the
    >>
    >>
    >>>right information to my customer. I under stand
    >>>
    >>>
    >>your "clarifications". It
    >>
    >>
    >>>appears you are plugging in the USB cable with the adapter
    >>>
    >>>
    >attached
    >
    >
    >>but not plugged
    >>
    >>
    >>>into the Stamp.
    >>>
    >>> Point Windows to the correct FTDI driver for the user's specific
    >>>operating system
    >>>
    >>>Does this window come up automatically as soon as I plug in the
    >>>
    >>>
    >>adapter?
    >>
    >>
    >>>You said nothing about downloading the FTDI drivers - are these
    >>>
    >>>
    >>already on my
    >>
    >>
    >>>computer? I'm running XP.
    >>>
    >>>Sid
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >>>
    >>>
    >
    >
    >
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