Serial Splitter

[+TeamK-9]

Is there anyway that I could hook up both my PDA and my GPS to the serial port other than to buy an adapter to hook one up to a USB port?

 

I currently have two computers and the PDA is hooked up to the better one and the GPS is hooked up to the crappier one but I was hoping to hook them both up to the good computer, but I only have one serial port...

[WH]

Give this a look.

[+Andy and Robin]

Here's one on Ebay: http://tinyurl.com/346uj

 

They work fine but you can only use one of the units at a time. If you have the hotsync manager running then the port is being used and the gps won't find it. Other than that they are fine.

[+TeamK-9]

Are there any more "local" type stores that I could get one from. would bestbuy have them?

[WH]

The link I gave you in my last post was from Staples.

[+TeamK-9]

Not any staples within close driving distance from here...

[WH]

Well, that splitter is a fairly easy-to-come-by item. You can pick those up at almost any computer store.

Edited March 26, 2004 by WH

[+wildearth2001]

best buy or comp USA should have them... but I have never looked

[+Andy and Robin]

neither BestBuy or Comp USA has them in my area. I couldn't find one anywhere including Radio Shack. That's when I went to the old reliable Ebay!

[+Byron & Anne]

If you are talking about laptop computers National Instruments has a two serial port PMCIA card. Installed you would have 3 serial ports. (National Instruments is at http://www.ni.com). I use one of these.

 

If you are talking about a desktop you can get PCI two serial port card at many computer stores. Also look on ebay for either.

 

Byron

 

P.S. You will not be able to have both PDA and GPS powered at the same time with splitter cable.

Edited March 26, 2004 by Byron & Anne

[+Byron & Anne]

I just checked the National Instruments site. They have a single RS232 card.

You can see it at http://sine.ni.com/apps/we/nioc.vp?cid=1354〈=US

 

Hope this helps.

[+RocketMan]

If you are talking about a desktop computer, you can just buy a standard PCI card which is a much better solution than a splitter. RM

Edited March 26, 2004 by Rocket Man

[Jake - Team A.I.]

I bought mine online, but I'm using 2 ABCD switches. I got them from an online store for less than $20 including shipping.

 

http://www.sfcable.com/Merchant2/merchant....ategory_Code=21

 

I got them for my console port connections to my Cisco router lab. I use the first switch for my routers and it's connected to COM1, the second switch is for my firewall and catalyst switch are connected to COM2.... the other 2 ports have my cables for my Garmins. Since my Forerunner and GPS V pretty much talk to the computer the same, I don't have to change configurations when downloading waypoints through COM2, I just have to flip the switch between C and D.

 

The only problem I had with my 4 port switches was getting the right gender for the DB9 connections. I ended up just going down to Radio Shack and getting gender changers. If I remember correctly, when you look for 2 port switches both genders are available.

[+greengolftee87]

if your pda isnt that old you should be able go get a usb cradle for about the same price as adding more serial ports

[Major Catastrophe]

Is there anyway that I could hook up both my PDA and my GPS to the serial port other than to buy an adapter to hook one up to a USB port? I only have one serial port...

If you want both items to work at the same time, you need a second serial port. Using a "Y" cable will probably result in conflicts and/or repeated aggravation when you try to use one device only to discover that you forgot to turn off the other one. I have added a USB-to-serial adaptor on my computer and it works great.