Registered: Mar 2000
Location: California
Posts: 19

I'm wondering whether then receptacle below the Visor is the same as the Palm's. Because hey, check this out...

http://store.handgear.com/product.d...id=GP-PALMN6110

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"make it happen"

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

Unfortunately, the Visor and Palm connectors are different. Perhaps the Visor cable connector (available from ATL) could be attached to this device.

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MarkEagle - Ice is nice!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 391

Could you post more about this "visor cable connector from ATL"?

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

Goto ATL Technologies ( www.atlconnect.com ) and look for the "3rd Party Developers" link. Follow it to the Handspring page. There you'll find various Visor connectors and Springboard cases available for purchase.

Specifically, you're looking for the HotSync Connector Kit #500768 which sells for $2.66 ea.


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MarkEagle - Ice is nice!


[This message has been edited by MarkEagle (edited 03-12-2000).]

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 391

Ah. Just having the connector isn't very useful: there's a chip that needs to be included to adjust the voltage levels from RS232/EIA to the TTL levels in the Visor's USB connector.

I suppose I could try making one up (if I can get the pinouts) but it'd be worth $30 to get someone else to do it rather than risk frying my Visor.

I have heard rumors from two different sources that a Visor hotsync cable will be available from a third party, but I haven't turned one up.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

I have successfully built a serial cable using the great details from http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...TML/000090.html .

The Visor pinouts are contained in the Handspring Developer's Kit ( http://www.handspring.com/developer...t2/DkManual.pdf ). There's a whole bunch of useful information in there as well.

I too have heard that a serial cable is supposed to be available soon. I think it will be an extremely hot item judging by some of the posts here a VC. It's amazing that Handspring doesn't sell one (nor do they have plans to). I guess they figure that Springboards are going to replace external peripherals at some point.


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MarkEagle - Ice is nice!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 391

Mark: did you use the circuit to pull power from the serial port, or is yours battery-powered? How did you house the chip?

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

Power comes from DTR and RTS just like in the discussion. Currently, it is housed in a small (3x2x1) project box from Radio Shack. I admit, it is a bit bulky and does not lend itself to "pocketability". I'm working on a second one using mini-chips that will be able to go in a much smaller case (something along the lines of a car remote). It really works, too! At least for HotSync's which is all I've tried... going to attempt an external modem next...

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MarkEagle - Ice is nice!