Serial port question
 

Hi all, I was considering options for our rookie team laptop, and realized that I required a serial port connection to load programs onto the robot. I was planning on using a USB > Serial adapter (the standard dell one) but I have heard around that there are some adapters that have trouble converting. Anyone know anything about this?

Re: Serial port question
 

Seth,

We use the Bafo BF-810 and it works well.

If you do a search of these fori, you will find posts where other teams have reported success and/or failure.

Good Luck,

Mike

Re: Serial port question
 

I can also report the Keyspan USA-19HS adapter, available in most computer stores (at least around here) works just fine, if a little slow.

When are we going to see USB driven bootloaders for downloading user code?

Re: Serial port question
 

The one I have works fine, but so you know, it takes about 3x as long to download code. (I've timed it, for me it takes about 60 seconds.)

g'luck,
~Stephanie
Team 1351

Re: Serial port question
 

Actually, they will be available this season. There will also be some radio improvements made to the control system.

Re: Serial port question
 

We have been using Cables to Go USB-Serial adapters for a variety of applications and have yet to experience any problems with them.
Now that I think about it, we haven't used it to send code to the Innovation FIRST controller but we did use it with an old serial IR tower we utilize while coaching our LEGO teams.
You'all be Cool!

Re: Serial port question
 

Same here, except we used it all last year to download code to the RC :)

Re: Serial port question
 

We had some problems with one in particular that was losing a few bits here and there.

We have also had several which worked just fine.