Registered: Aug 2003
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 29

Palm/Visor compatibility?

I was wondering if any of the earlier Palms have the same input/output connectors as the Visor. Specifically, I found several serial cables for each of the early Palms, and was wondering if any would work with the Visor. I've already checked a couple, wondering if I could get an easy answer.

Thanks

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 415

the visor has both usb and serial IO on the hotsync connector. although only one can be used at any given time.

the other problem is that the visor's serial IO can only put out 3.3 volts-- regular rs232 is 5-12v, i think.

so you need a special circuit to change the voltages in order to work with most serial devices.

and of course, physically, the visors connector is totally different than everything else.

__________________
-thorin

I have a webcomic. You should read it, or I may do something rash. <b><a href=http://driveby.keenspace.com/>Drive-by Loitering</a></b> is updated every monday, wednesday and friday.

<!img src=http://www.frontfly.com/myrouter/vcsig2.gif alt="Soundsgood is too elite for the punks."><img src=http://www.frontfly.com/vcsig.gif ><!img src=http://www.frontfly.com/myrouter/vcsig2.gif alt="Soundsgood is too elite for the punks.">

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: B.C.
Posts: 24

I understood that the Visor had only USB for communication to "other devices" and that to use serial you had to add a circuit between the Visor and the serial device. This is why, if you take apart the 2 different hot sync bases (USB and serial) you'll find no electronics in the USB base and electronic components in the serial base. There is/was a good site that showed how to build a serial converter for the Visor. I'll try to find it and post it here.

Some of the newer Palms , the M500 & M505 (and probably others) have both connections on them. Handspring decided to just go USB as it was faster.

Someone correct me if I'm mistaken.

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: B.C.
Posts: 24

Here is that site:
http://www.pocketaprs.com/visor.html