Laptop died-want to go Palm...what do I need?

[jking29]

As the title says my laptop just went down for the dirt nap. I really don't want to buy or need a laptop as logging is the only thing I use it for anymore. What I need to know is what I need to convert my serial cable over for use with a Palm, or would it be better to just buy a new cable compatible with the Palm? Any help you guys can give would be great! Thanks

 

[thekellbeast]

From what I've read about DSMlink, you should need a gender changer and a null modem (and a cradle/hotsync cable for the Palm). What the null modem does is changes pins because Palms use different pin signals than computers. The gender changer is just a male-male or female-female. I forget which.

I've got a Palm IIIc, cradle, null modem, and gender changer just sitting in my room, wasting space until I buy DSMLink. I can't figure out why the palm won't sync up with my computer though.

 

[jking29]

Actually I am using an afc to tune with, and do not think that dsmlink will be in the budget for a good while down the road. If it were I would go ahead and spring for a new laptop now but I am a cheap bastard. After all, I own a DSM don't I? Would the null modem work with the serial logging cable? If so, how much are they and where would be the cheapest place to buy one?

Would this allow me to connect my serial cable to a Palm? http://cgi.ebay.com/9-Pin-DB9-Male-...65QQihZ004QQcategoryZ3668QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[thekellbeast]

I honestly don't know much about the safc. I just did some searching and it turns out that dsmparts.com sells this OBDI cable for 1g's. 69 bucks on sale.

http://www.dsmparts.com/customer/product.php?productid=292&cat=&page=1

And here's an old thread about palm logging
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41338&page=2&highlight=palmlogger
Appropriately titled "whats the cheapest datalogger for a DSM..."

Just run a search for "pocketlogger" and you'll get craploads of results. Keep in mind that you'll need a computer to download the logging software onto the Palm.

 

[thekellbeast]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230375&highlight=pocketlogger

Good thread.

 

[jking29]

Actually I have read those threads but it doesn't say what it takes to convert from a 9 pin female serial cable to a Palm. If no one can tell me what it takes, I will probably buy a new pocketlogger as they are on sale right complete with the software for $79. But if I can make my cable work with a $5 adapter and freeware, that is the way I will go.

 

[thekellbeast]

From the serial to the Palm? You use your hotsync cradle/cable. I just did some playing around on the laptop last night, and downloaded PalmNstein to the IIIc. From there, you use your cradle/cable to go to an adapter (or cable) that plugs into your OBDII port. Or OBDI or whatever 1g's have.

http://students.db.erau.edu/~szabafab/stein/palmtop.htm

Palm'n'Stein Logger for Palm OS 3.5 (or later).

System requirements:

Any handheld (aka Palm Pilot) running Palm OS 3.5 or later
A serial sync cable
If you want to use this on a 1g DSM, you can use your existing ALDL cable. You may purchase an ALDL cable from PPT Racing You WILL need an adapter to allow your laptop ALDL cable to connect to the PDA.

The Tunerstein website has a lot of really good info on it.

 

[jking29]

Thanks! That's the exact info I needed.