How should I get more serial ports

[MartinB]

Well my Tak EM200 has arrived and it's lovely. It doesn't have a goto handset but works from a computer using a serial port. Nick Hudson at Trutek included a great deal on his supaslim filter wheel which also uses a serial port. Fortunately my SXV camera just uses a USB but my adaptive optics unit also needs a serial port. Since the AO will mainly be used with the NS8 on it's wedge it is unlikely that I will ever need more than 2 serial ports but you never know. My laptop has 2 USB and 1 serial port. So, is it possible to get 3 serial ports. Do I need to get a USB hub and 2 extra USB to serial adapters or what?

Any advice much appreciated.

[barkis]

Coincidently MB, our friend Lidl are selling a 5 port USB Powered Hub next week. Should be sufficient for your needs.

It is very reasonable price too, as is most of what they sell. I am waiting for the Bresser Binos reappearing in their store.

You will still need to get serial adaptors though. Seems a bit odd to me, that modern equipment is coming with DB9 ports, when most laptops

Don't have them, and most desktops only usually have one. Or am I flying a kite here?

Ron.

[Astroman]

I just got a new box that has NO serial ports at all. I'm wondering what to do with my old video/digital camera....(and don't get wise).

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Have a talk to Mr Astronomiser, he'll almost certainly know if they can be used in abundance via a hub. If he doesn't, he'll probably have the kit on his desk to do a quick test.

Kaptain Klevtsov

[barkis]

I just got a new box that has NO serial ports at all. I'm wondering what to do with my old video/digital camera....(and don't get wise).

No sir Steve, I am dumbstruck. By the way, got your Atlas yet?

[Astroman]

By the way, got your Atlas yet?

Nope. Back ordered. Hopefully end of Oct. Too bad too, this weekend is All AZ Star Party.

[barkis]

By the way, got your Atlas yet?

Nope. Back ordered. Hopefully end of Oct. Too bad too, this weekend is All AZ Star Party.

Oh well, you'lle just have to use Nortons Star Atlas, and Burnhams.

[SteveL]

I`d go for USB-2-Serial adapters. A USB hub will normally require external power if you are using anything on it requires a fair amount of power.

[MartinB]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm just going for a single usb 2 serial adapter for now and getting pocket Sky 6 and controlling the mount via bluetooth from the PDA

[centroid]

I`d go for USB-2-Serial adapters. A USB hub will normally require external power if you are using anything on it requires a fair amount of power.

Yep, that's what I use, and they do the job perfectly.

Dave