I have been using both configurations, USB-PIM and serial PIM-RS232->USB. With no problem.
If you are using the USB->RS232 adapter with a serial PIM, make sure you use a
good USB-serial adapter. After some failures, I found that the KeySpan model 19-HS is the best.
The only USB-PIM I have used is from PCS. Make sure you have the right drivers.
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I got my Raspberry Pi setup and Misterhouse installed. I can't really do anything until I have a controller, though. HAI's PIM looks to be serial only. My initial reaction was...seriously? Who still has a computer with a serial port on it? But the more I dig around, it sounds like a lot of people are having problems with USB PIM's. Some have reported success by using a quality RS232-to-USB adapter with a serial PIM (
here's a thread on this forum about it, although it's several years old).
There are some USB PIM's out there (SA, PulseWorx) but they have very mixed reviews. What does everyone think about getting the HAI UPB PIM and then an RS232->USB adapter so I can connect it to my Raspberry Pi? Has anyone done this?