iPaq Serial Port

ZENER

Is it possible to get a standard serial port card or adaptor for an iPaq 5450.

I need to use the PDA in place of a cumbersome laptop to communicate with carpark pay machines and equipment. This equipment uses RS232 9Pin connectors. Another option may be a Bluetooth to serial adaptor if such a device exists.

Any help would be appreciated.

Tinky

hshortt

You can buy a serial cradle. That will allow it to communicate.

I just happen to have one that I will happily part with for nothing too.

We can arrange to meet, I'm around Stillorgan area.

Cheers

flywheel

hi

A serial cable might do?
http://www.gomadic.com/comac.html

Socket do Serial CF and PC Cards:
http://www.socketcom.com/product/serial.asp?Type=Single

Brainboxes do a Bluetooth Serial Converter, although it requires external power so might not be suitable for your situation:
http://www.brainboxes.com/products/bluetooth/product.asp?id=BL-521

--
would also suggest you look into some PDA protection - the 5450 isn't really designed for industrial applications (that's where Symbol's would be a better choice)
http://www.otterbox.com/category.cfm?Category=28

BrianG

ZENER

Thanks for the tips guys:

hshort: Is it the cradle that comes with the ipaq that you have or is it a different device ? Is there any where on the net I can see it ? Thanks.

Dubwireless: Gomadic seem to have exactly what I'm looking for, thanks for the links.

A thought just occured to me, can I use the cradle that came with the iPaq to connect to serial devices with a suitable gender bender. I know it's not ideal but I could make do until I get the gomadic adaptor.

Thanks again

Tinky

hshortt

Hey Tinky,

While Brian's response far outweighs what I sent ya. The offer still stands.

The IPAQ you have should have a combined USB and Serial interface. You could use this to connect to the RS232 interface you need. You will absolutely have to have some kind of terminal program on your iPAQ. There are few, let me know if you need more details.

I have two Cradles for iPAQs that I am not using, I got myself an XDA II and my last iPAQ is long gone now. I've a USB and a Serial cradle, free for the taking.

Using the cradle I've got you could connect it in the same fashion as using your own. You should probably test that the cradle will do what you need, you should not need a gender bender.

TTFN

ZENER

Hi hshortt,

Thanks again for the offer of that cradle, I have since bought a Belkin USB/Serial Sync cable which should do the job. In your post you offered info on some terminal applications, is the info still on offer? If so do you know of any comms apps that can emulate a Wyse 50 terminal?

Cheers

Zener

flywheel

how about Zterm

BrianG

ZENER

I just managed to get that ! I will try it out when I get to work and connect it to one of the machines. Thanks for the advice guys !

Tinky

shakel

Hi,

Has anybody come across any freeware terminal emulation programs for IPAQ 3630?
I will be using it to connect to SUN consoles.

Cheers!

ZENER

I did bit of searching about and found a couple of telnet clients that should work, I'll check when I get home and let you know.

For the application I was interested in zterm did the job fine, the screen is a bit odd at first but you get used to it. If you can get some form of landscape mode app it would be perfect.

Tinky

shakel

Just wondering if you found anything out about the terminal emulation software?
Had a look at zterm but it looks like you have to pay $30 after 30 days. Know of any free programs?

Cheers!

ZENER

Not really sure about the sun console but I guess it's just a standard vt100 emulation, this company specialise in the pocketpc/sun connection you mention.

There are a few shareware and freeware apps that you could google for. The ones I tried did the job ok but zterm was the best and probably worth the money.

It's not really that much when you change dollars to Euros.

ZENER