| Author | Message | ||
     Littlefield |
Before I jump off into a Palm VDST I wanted to make sure I could get connected. Haven't been able to locate an adapter that will plug into the miniUSB on my Zire21. Does anyone know of a source? | ||
| Jackbequick |
You actually need a Palm (or other PDA) that has a RS-232 serial pair to use the VDST software. At least that is how I understand it, I'm certainly open to correction on that. But the Zire 21 was sort of a one of a kind Palm that had only the miniUSB connector for hardware I/O (i.e., it has no RS-232 serial pair). In theory, a serial to USB adapter would give you a option to use the Zire 21 but I've read several times over the years that it will not work. The Zire 21 is simply not ready for that on either hardware or software. Although it was not clearly stated that way in the advertising, the Zire 21 was aimed at a market that did not want to do much more than keep an address book on it. So it sold like crazy because it was cheap but it also had pretty limited capabilities compared to the other Palm devices. Any of Palms that use the Palm Universal Connector will have the RS-232 serial pair on the connector and should work for you. That would include the Tungsten T3, T, T2, C, W, Zire 71, m125, m130, m500, m505, m515, and i705. I'm still using a T3 and neither my needs or knowledge have evolved much beyond that. If you're looking for a bargain priced used one, I found a m515 on eBay dirt cheap when I was looking for one last year. One like that might be a good choice for a Palm for shop use. If you do get a Palm device that has a Universal Connector, you can buy the Palm connector (and some for other PDAs also) for making a build it yourself cable from this place: http://www.gomadic.com/accessories-developer-parts -connectors-plugs.html Jack | ||
| Littlefield |
Thanks, good info. | ||
| Jackbequick |
There was another recent thread about serial connectors for doing TPS resets and the like. That was relative to another software called ECMSpy: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/292513.html?1184973818 You might find the links in that thread helpful too. Jack | ||
| Reepicheep |
I did some digging there and got far enough to decide it would make a good winter project. I'll have more time, parked bike syndrom, and the software will likely be very mature by then. One note.. you need a TTL version of RS232, not normal serial port RS232. I have not dug deeply and am trying to remember the technical specs from 20 years ago when I was deeply into it, but I think the normal computer RS232 is -5v +5v, or maybe -12v + 12V... something like that. TTL RS232 (maybe RS422? Can't remember) is 5v to 0v I believe. So to do this with a laptop, you need a special communications converter. As luck would have it though (and this is where I am really getting fuzzy) I think the Palm Pilots actually implemented their RS232 port as close to a TTL level. So if you use a Palm, you don't need the dongle. If the palm is one of the ones with an RS232 port at all (instead of USB). Thats as far as I got when I decided it was a winter project  | ||
| Jandj_davis |
Reep - TTL is actually -3 to +3V, while RS232 is +12V to -12V. |
