Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

I just received ATL's HotSync Serial Cable. I heard about this over 6 months ago and have been waiting patiently for it to be released.

It has a standard 9-pin serial connector on one end and a HotSync connector on the other. The cable itself is approximately 3' long, making it ideal for laptop users (though a tad short for use with a desktop PC - an extension cable would likely be needed). The short length does allow it to be carried fairly easily in ones pocket and certainly it won't take up much room in your laptop case either.

The entire assembly seems quite durable; it does not feel or appear to be flimsy in any way. I can't tell where they put it, but it obviously has a built-in transceiver circuit for translating the Visor's TTL signals to RS-232.

It connects easily and securely to the Visor using little latching tabs. There is no HotSync button; to perform a sync you need to use the HotSync app on the Visor. Other than that, syncing works just the way it's supposed to!

I have not yet attempted connecting it to an external serial device (i.e. modem) but I have a feeling it won't work due to the limitations of the Visor serial port (no control lines; only TXD and RXD).

The ATL part number is 500821 and it sells for $28.70 ($5.83/ea in lots of 100,000 ). While their site states a minimum order of $65.00, you might want to inquire as to whether they'll waive the minimum for cable purchases. It worked for me (but I also ordered $20.00 worth of other items). As of now, they have no plans for it to be available direct in retail channels.

If you're an NT4 or non-USB user who doesn't want to lug around the Handspring serial cradle, this might be just what you're looking for.

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God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

The picture you gave doesn'tlook lke it is three inches long. Other than that, it seems that it could be used in conjunction with a null modem and the Spring connectivity kit to go online via a cell phone.
BEN

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 114

He said 3 feet

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

Wow, it really does help if I don't read while talking on the phone.
BEN

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Lebanon, NH, USA
Posts: 40

That's great! You can find out if the electronics are hidden in the HotSync connector by gently prying the HotSync case open. That only works if they didn't glue the two halves together - if it doesn't work, don't force it.

Another way to check is to "hide" it in your bag while going through an airport x-ray machine (the next time you happen to be at an airport), and watching their display screen.

-WaC
Wayne
http://wac.addr.com/ee/visor/visor.html

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by wac
That's great! You can find out if the electronics are hidden in the HotSync connector by gently prying the HotSync case open. That only works if they didn't glue the two halves together - if it doesn't work, don't force it.

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It's bonded together somehow... probably ultrasonic. I'm not even going to try and open it.

quote:

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Another way to check is to "hide" it in your bag while going through an airport x-ray machine (the next time you happen to be at an airport), and watching their display screen.

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I'm not sure I want to see the circuit that bad...

I'll just go on the assumption that is is in there because it works!

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God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Hermosa Beach, CA
Posts: 222

so would this work with a stand alone GPS unit that has a serial connector?

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 8

ATL HotSync Serial Cable

Speaking about ATL HotSync Serial Cable.
Is it compatible with Visor Prism?
Anybody test it with Garmin's eTrex?

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

Re: ATL HotSync Serial Cable

quote:

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Originally posted by alexv
Is it compatible with Visor Prism?

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God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Lebanon, NH, USA
Posts: 40

Re: Re: ATL HotSync Serial Cable

quote:

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Originally posted by MarkEagle
It should be as the Prism uses the same docking connector as the Deluxe. [/B]

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

Re: Re: Re: ATL HotSync Serial Cable

quote:

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Originally posted by wac
the Prism has a new connector to support recharging the Li battery

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God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 8

I'm looking for electrical spec for Prism connector.
Anybody has it?

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

The specs you're looking for can be found in the Prism Product Guide.

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God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Plant City, FL
Posts: 385

Re: Re: Re: ATL HotSync Serial Cable

quote:

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Originally posted by wac
As Alex pointed out to me in private email, the Prism has a new connector to support recharging the Li battery. Only the Platinum uses the same connectors as the Deluxe.

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<ul><li>Dave Kessler<br>President - Kopsis, Inc.</li></ul>

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 2

ATL Serial Sync Cable

Glad you all like our serial cable. The covers that hold all the electrical components are sonically welded together.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Lebanon, NH, USA
Posts: 40

I stand corrected.

-WaC
Wayne

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 8

Have anybody connected a Visor to a NT4.0 or W98 using
ATL cable as a direct connect to a serial port?

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 10

External modem question

If I can IR sync to my desktop's serial port through an IR device connected to it, and I could (if I had one) use a serial hotsync cradle with a null modem adapter to communicate with an external modem (as evidenced in this forum)...Why couldn't I slap a null modem adapter on the end of my serial IR device and communicate with an external modem through that? I have Palm's IR updates that allow me to shunt serial communication to the IR port...seems easy to me. Is there something I'm missing?!?
I have an Extended Systems JetEye PC (ESI-57860) IR device that ends in a female 9-pin, and a VDX.

...Sorry if I'm rambling, but I did a little experiment before I sent this. I tried to dial from the Network panel on the Visor out through the IR device connected to my PC. The PC recognized IR communication was occurring, and stayed connected until the Visor declared it could not find a modem. What happens if I stick a modem on the end of that chain? Does the modem power the IR device? Does the IR device even require power? It's going to cost me a null-modem adapter and an external modem to find out, eh?

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 76

Modem cable

Hm, I have a suggestion. Obtain a Mark/Space data cord appropriate for the modem you are plugging into (i.e. a DCH-M2 would be appropriate if you have an external modem, say a U.S. Robotics one) as an initial step.

The benefit of that series of cables (DCH-CI, DCH-3M9, DCH-6M9, DCH-M2) is that they are "Visor Powered." Therefore, they provide the voltage to power the RS-232 interface.

And, they had been made available prior to the Chrismas season! I believe there are at least 160 souls out there with DataCords in their stockings this year (I'm not an Elf, but I believe that estimate to be pretty good.)

SO, if you are one of those fortunate one of 160 lucky souls out there, I'm wishing a

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
from Ben Tabatowski-Bush
ENJOY!

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 3

Serial Connector Cable

Has anyone found a source other than ATL for a serial cable for the Visor? Seems like there should be an easy way to connect the visor to a serial port and establish 2-way comm. with some "hyperterminal" type program.

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<b>Pete Vargas Mas</b><br>
<i>Phoenix, AZ, USA</i>