Re: HP 50g Connector, Cable & Legacy

Jean-Yves Avenard wrote:
Carl J. Morris wrote:
2. My LEGACY hp-48gx ALMOST has a GENUINE RS-232 interface. I can set BAUD
RATE and PARITY but not STOP BITS. It has recognizable voltage swings (Level
Shifting) built-in.
Neither my HP48SX nor my HP48GX came with a serial cable.
So until somebody found out how the serial cable worked, I had no other
choice than buying the HP cable.

My 48 series calculators didn't have cables included in the
package either, but a cable was available in the "Serial Interface
Kit", which, if I recall correctly, I ordered at the same time as
my 48SX. There was no need to wait for anyone else to figure out
how the serial port worked; HP had already taken care of that.

How is the 50g any different?

Obviously, HP isn't even making a cable (except for USB) for the
50g available, and apparently has no intention of doing so.

I downloaded Debug4X to see the HP 50g's I/O operation. Under this
emulation I only see USB as a port and KERMIT as the transfer protocokl.
you probably don't have the latest version of Debug4x with the latest
emu48.dll then

Where is the LEGACY RS-232 support in the HP 50g? One posting indicates
there is no section in the manual that describes this interface.
patience.. the 50g has just been advertised on HP web site!

But shouldn't the essential documentation have been included in
the package? Or at least available by the time that the first
units were shipped?

It should be supplied with each hp 50g. Then you could sell more
connectivity kits to attach to what I believe is a non-functional RS-232
inteface!
Why?
I'm not keen on paying extra $$$ for something I will not use. What the
percentage of people requiring a serial port. As long as I have a way to
connect my calculator to a computer I'm happy.

I understand your point, but HP could at least make the cable
available as an optional accessory, as it did for the 48 series.

On the other hand, HP is including a USB cable which I don't need
(I already have several of these) with the 50g; why should I have
to pay for that?

Soon you will start screaming that none of the new laptops I've seen
using a core duo processor have a serial port !

Now that you mention it, the lack of a serial port (other than
USB) on newer PCs is a real nuisance!


[more rant deleted]
production engineers to utilize current assets if possible. LEGACY
equipment is the LIFEBLOOD of manufacturing.
yeah right..

Where is HP QUALITY hiding?
missing some coffee again?

--
Regards,
James

.

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