Suunto download with USB to Serial converter

RichKirby · Apr 21, 2006

I have a new Suunto Mosquito. I am able to download without any problems using my desktop which has a serial connection. I am unable, however, to download to my laptop using a Prolific USB to Serial converter cable and software. I even tried d/l'ing Suunto's USB driver without any effect. I've tried to use the connection wizard and I've tried the right click and connect function. I've even tried using v1.6. I can't seem to get it to d/l to my laptop. My laptop shows Com 4 Prolific USB to Serial Comm Port as being active and with no problems. Anyone have a suggestions as I've tried all I know.

ccohn2000 · Apr 21, 2006

How many times have you tried it? I have a serial to USB adapter on my desktop. It is difficult sometimes to get the silly thing to download. Sometimes it takes 5 - 10 tries, rebooting the program between tries. What error message are you getting? If all else fails, Suunto does have a USB cord that will eliminate the need for the adapter, which I think will eliminate the problem. It's about $40. I'm not that annoyed yet.

RichKirby · Apr 21, 2006

Using the download wizard that pops up when you start v2.3, I get "Device not found" error. Using the right click under dive computer, connect, mosquito, transfer method, I get "Operation timed out (99)" error.

I believe I get a timed out error with v1.6 also.

dexter98 · Apr 21, 2006

There are 2 possibilities:

1) The pc-software uses bitbanging, which performs bad on every USB-to-serial converter. I think however that this is not the problem in this case, since the mosquito produces standard 2400,N,8,1 data.

2) The USB-to-serial converter delivers not enough power. Since a serial port has no option at all for powering a device (as opposed to USB), an unofficial (not in the standard) trick has to be used to derive power from the serial port. This works in 90% of the cases, but might fail in the other cases.

Since I'm experimenting with the same USB converter myself to reverse engineer another DC-computer interface, I do have observed that the power from such a converter is much less than from a 'normal' serial port and also badly regulated.

RichKirby · Apr 22, 2006

Anybody out there that's used a USB/Serial converter and a Suunto dive computer that has any suggestions?

airsix · Apr 22, 2006

If you haven't seen it already here is a site with lots of info for constructing your own Suunto interface cables. There is now a diagram and parts list for building a USB cable in addition to the serial cables. Building the USB cable requires the use of a chip that you won't be able to just pick up at RadioShack - it's a little more involved than the serial version.

I just got a Vyper off Ebay. It showed up yesterday and I'm looking to link it to my laptop (no serial ports). I need a serial/USB converter for another project and was going to use it with a (DIY) serial cable for my Vyper, but maybe I would be better off building the USB cable. One thing - I'm not paying $99 for a Suunto cable. That's just rediculous. Considering personal time + cost of parts it's probably cheaper to buy the cable, but I just can't bring myself to pay $99 for something that probably cost them $2.

-Ben M.

RichKirby · Apr 24, 2006

Yeah, I've seen the site. Is there no one around the board building these things for sale anymore? I know there was a guy on this site for a long time, but he disappeared off the face of the earth. There is absolutely no way I would pay almost $100 for the Suunto USB cable.

CIBDiving · Apr 24, 2006

RichKirby:
There is absolutely no way I would pay almost $100 for the Suunto USB cable.

Here's a little cheaper option

http://www.customidea.com/hr-usbdive1.php

I use one of these, they work well. Be carefull not to abuse those springloaded pins however.

maractwin · Apr 25, 2006

Another solution is to use a higher quality USB-Serial converter. The Prolific ones are hit-or-miss. Ones using the FT232 chipset seem to work better. Choosing a name brand over a no-name import is likely to help. I generally recommend Keyspan brand adapters for this.

-Mark

RichKirby · Apr 25, 2006

maractwin:
Another solution is to use a higher quality USB-Serial converter. The Prolific ones are hit-or-miss. Ones using the FT232 chipset seem to work better. Choosing a name brand over a no-name import is likely to help. I generally recommend Keyspan brand adapters for this.

-Mark

Grrr! I was afraid of that. I can't believe there aren't more used Suunto USB cables for sale on ebay.

Suunto download with USB to Serial converter

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