QUATECH ThinkQ QSE-100D-BA 4 Port RS-232 Serial Server (CHEAP!)

[sic0048]

I have used both now. I have Digi Edgeports (model 416) that I use on both my main CQC server as well as my parents main CQC server (two independant systems). However, I did pick up a couple of these QSE-100 devices and they are nice. In my case, I am using them in situations where I have equipment decentralized from the wiring closet.

For example, I stuck one in my parents master bedroom where they have a TV and a local DVD player that I wanted to control. The QSE-100 allowed me to use just one cat5e wire and have multiple serial connections quite easily.

While they certainly would work in your centralized wiring closet, I like the Digi Edgeports because they only take one connection and one power cord to get 16 serial connections. I've been able to find my 416 units in the $100-125 range making it slightly less than the QSEs (after getting the required power supplies) in a 16 port configuration.

Of course the beauty of the QSEs is that you can start out smaller and add to them if needed. Of course this assumes there is still a supply of them when you need them.

 

[AceCannon]

While they certainly would work in your centralized wiring closet, I like the Digi Edgeports because they only take one connection and one power cord to get 16 serial connections. I've been able to find my 416 units in the $100-125 range making it slightly less than the QSEs (after getting the required power supplies) in a 16 port configuration.

Of course the beauty of the QSEs is that you can start out smaller and add to them if needed. Of course this assumes there is still a supply of them when you need them.

Any issues with the USB port getting fouled up, losing comm, etc?

My single-port USB dongle will occasionally just not communicate, then I will try again (without changing ANYTHING) and it will work.

 

[sic0048]

Any issues with the USB port getting fouled up, losing comm, etc?

My single-port USB dongle will occasionally just not communicate, then I will try again (without changing ANYTHING) and it will work.

No. I've used my Edgeport for quite a while without any issues. I've only recently set up my parents system, but they haven't had any problems over the last couple of months either. I'm currently using XP Pro on my box and my parents are running Vista Ultimate on their box.

 

[beelzerob]

Well, all 5 of these things check out...so long as using a null modem cable and 2 instances of hyperterminal to test the ports is exhaustive enough.

 

[electron]

I have 4 of them, all in perfect shape as well, they just need the firmware upgrade. Did you find a cheap local power supply source yet ?

 

[sic0048]

I have 4 of them, all in perfect shape as well, they just need the firmware upgrade. Did you find a cheap local power supply source yet ?

Firmware Update?? I guess I missed that. Can you link to the support page?

I'm still waiting on my EBay Hong Kong power supplies. It's not local, but I'll post my thougths and experiences when I get them.

 

[electron]

Check the first post of this thread, contains the link and info.

 

[beelzerob]

Ya, I'm waiting to see how your HK power supplies pan out before I make the plunge.

I didn't firmware update these things before testing...I figured I'd do that when ready to actually use them (they're all back in their boxes now).

I did get one kinda weird issue with a couple of them. All I was doing was highlighting a hyperterm window, and then holding down a key, and making sure that key showed up in the other hyperterm window. However, on two occassions, when holding down the 'z' key, I saw z's with some kind of dot character between them...instead of just zzzzzzzzzzz. I think I then tried 'f's, and I got fs with occassional "paragraph" symbols interspersed.

After a while of playing with it, and trying both directions, it seemed to go away. It was consistent in what it was showing...so the f key gave one strange character, the z key another, so it wasn't random garbage. And again, it seemed to go away, so *shrug*. I guess I'll count on the firmware update to clear up any of those issues. The unit was otherwise in great shape.

 

[damage]

for those in silicon valley, halted ( http://www.halted.com ), has a couple boxes of what appears to be brand new 5V 2A dlink power supplies for $8. not exactly cheap but readily available.

 

[AceCannon]

Anything wrong with these power supplies?

(ebay item 260455154692)

 

[electron]

All depends if they have a 2.1mm connector, if they do, it's good to know that the PSP power supply is compatible.

 

[AceCannon]

All depends if they have a 2.1mm connector, if they do, it's good to know that the PSP power supply is compatible.

I figured I would MAKE it compatible if the connector was not the right size.


This thing looks pretty cool.

 

[electron]

wow nice find! That's EXACTLY what I was looking for.

 

[felixrosbergen]

I didn't firmware update these things before testing...I figured I'd do that when ready to actually use them (they're all back in their boxes now).

Yours actually came in a box? Mine was just bubble wrapped in a box with peanuts, no OEM box, no driver disc, no manual, nothing. Should all be online but still.

I powered it up with Linksys Vonnage VOIP power supply and it came on. Thats all i did pending finding a proper power supply. The unit has a few marks on it from what appears to be stickers on it at some point.

So any PSP power supply from ebay should work?

 

[electron]

No, the PSP has a larger connector from what I can tell. I'm actually happy to see that some existing power supplies work with this thing, as it makes it easier to find replacement. So far we have certain Dlink switches, Linksys Vonage router, what else has been tried?