Belkin F5U103 USB to Serial Adapter

List Price: $79.99

Features:

• Completely Plug and Play--simply connect to your computer's USB port
• Requires no IRQs or other system resources
• Supports serial communications up to 230 Kbps
• Supports both hardware and software serial handshaking
• Supports DOS applications running under Windows (IRQs can be assigned if required by software)

Accessories:
Targus PAUH217U 4 Port Ultra Mini USB 2.0 Hub	Targus PAUH212U 7 Port USB 2.0 Hub	Cables To Go - 13172 - 2M USB 2.0 A/B Cable (White)	CP Technologies CP-U2H-01 USB 2.0 4-Port Mini Hub

Customer Reviews:

Extension Conflicts Abound [Posted on 2001-03-15]
I bought the Belkin Express hub because it looked neat & the lights indicating functional USB devices were important. However, over a year after buying it Belkin still has not made available software that will work with OS 9. Belkin's extensions for the Mac conflict with most other USB device extensions, including Apple's. In order to get this thing to work, I have to unplug it, start the computer, then plug it in after start up, use the device I want, then unplug it after I'm finished with the device. Otherwise, all my settings get mysteriously changed (Remote Access, printer selection, modem selection). If you want to use it for a Palm device or an older printer, use Keyspan's adapters instead. I have one & have had much fewer problems with it than this thing, The installer also installs a mysterious "printer patch" file on your hard disk, but gives you no indication where this file should be or what it does. The lights were helpful to a certain extent in that they blink to let you know that a signal has been sent to the device, however there are 4 green lights & 1 red light on each unit, regardless of how many items you can plug into it & there is no documentation that explains what different light combinations or blinking means, so you have to guess. This item is also more expensive than most of the other hubs/adapters out there & in this case you don't get what you pay for.

Don't waste your money. [Posted on 2002-11-03]
I bought the -MAC version of this adapter one day at CompUSA because I needed to connect my Newton to my iMac. The first thing that I found out about it is the drivers are *very* buggy. The adapter also had to be plugged in when I booted up the iMac or the drivers wouldn't see the adapter. Same if I unplugged and replugged the adapter while the machine was running. So much for USB hot-pluggability!

Also, Belkin couldn't even be bothered to release Mac OS X drivers for this adapter. Though, considering the state of the OS 9 drivers, I don't exactly know if I'd want them.

All in all, you'd be better off with one of the USB-Serial adapters from Keyspan. (USB-PDA or High Speed) I'm going to pick one up as soon as my budget allows.

Pain to Install, but Good Overall [Posted on 2003-01-04]
I don't know about the other OP systems, but if you are running Windows XP it is a pain to install!!! It took me 2 days before I got it running properly, and don't even think about calling tech support unless you enjoy being on hold for a half hour. When I finally got the software installed it worked out beautifully, I have not had any problems whatsoever with the adapter itself. So a few minor headached in the beginning with software installation but the over all performance of the adapter itself is excellent.

Works great in Linux! [Posted on 2003-08-12]
I love this unit and now have 2. It is the only USB-serial adapter I've found that works with no fuss under Linux. The only complaint I have is the bulkiness and the short cable supplied with it.

Do NOT Buy [Posted on 2004-11-20]
I bought this to use with my GPS receiver. I never got that far. After following the (poor) directions and running software, it promptly shut my machine OFF. Not just an error message or locking Windows up, it shut the whole dang thing off. After rebooting, Windows indicated it had encountered a SERIOUS error and directed to a supposed fix from the manufacturer. I tried that and got the same result. Kachunk...off. To make matters worse, it had fried my sound card and I had to buy a new one. Boy, was I steamed.

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