USB to RS232 converter - know any good deals?

[john3voltas]

Hello.
I have had one of these converters but last August it died on me.
I now have to buy a new one but I am lost on what to order.
Reading this topic it seems like ebay stuff are not always as long lasting as we wish for.
Nevertheless I would be interested in buying from ebay again because they're inexpensive and money is failing to show up on my wallet lately. Would a PL2303HX work? These are the most common these days.
If so, I was thinking in buying this one and this one. Hope I am not breaking rules by posting ebay deals but I am just trying to understand if I can buy this HX chip or not.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers

[grayman4hire]

The biggest issue with the HX chipset is that its not supported under Windows 8 and that most are fake, so the official drivers from Prolific don't work with them. Other than that, I don't think you can beat the price.

I just wrote this yesterday - Pogoplug E02 (V2) Serial Connection
http://blog.qnology.com/2013/10/pogoplu ... ction.html

[john3voltas]

When you say that HX chip are not supported by Windows 8, is that a permanent thing?
You see, I'm on 7/linux (dualboot) and I will only upgrade to 8 when I buy a new PC. It can happen within 1-3 years but I will always have linux on dualboot.
Does linux support those HX chips easily? Which driver should I use on linux?
Being fake/real, the only difference is the ability to use Prolific's drivers or not, right? So if I buy a fake one that doesn't use Prolific's drivers, what drivers shall I use with it? Will the Globalsat drivers work on all non-Prolifics?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers

[WarheadsSE]

Just get an FTDI based one, and not have to worry about it.

[grayman4hire]

Yes, don't expect Windows 8 driver.
Linux support is built into the kernel.
All I can say is I have no problems with my PL-2303HX USB to TTL converter.

Seriously, its a $2 purchase. Buy it or don't.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('john3voltas', 'W')hen you say that HX chip are not supported by Windows 8, is that a permanent thing?
You see, I'm on 7/linux (dualboot) and I will only upgrade to 8 when I buy a new PC. It can happen within 1-3 years but I will always have linux on dualboot.
Does linux support those HX chips easily? Which driver should I use on linux?
Being fake/real, the only difference is the ability to use Prolific's drivers or not, right? So if I buy a fake one that doesn't use Prolific's drivers, what drivers shall I use with it? Will the Globalsat drivers work on all non-Prolifics?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers

[john3voltas]

Thank you all for your answers.
Yesterday evening I was thinking about buying the HX or not when I noticed that my previous USB2RS232 was actually already an HX chip. It wasn't easy to see because it's written in very tiny font but I was able to see it with the help of a lens.
Since they work on 7 and Linux I guess I'll buy 2 of them. Will test them both but will only use one of them. If that one ever fails I will always have the other one (if it even still works ).
Cheers

[xelemorf]

Hello,

I don't know PL2303HX would work maybe, anyway I've just ordered these modules:

The PL2303 USB UART Board (mini) TXD /RXD /POWER LED UART interface VCC 5V or 3.3V: http://www.ebay.com/itm/250893171270?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
CP2102 based "USB 2.0 to TTL UART 6PIN CP2102 Module":
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121191659099?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I've read PL2032 sould be fine.
Anyway soon will see, and check back on you guys, maybe with good news..
-
Xel