Keyspan High-Speed 4-Port RS232 Serial DB9 to USB Adapter Hub(USA-49WG)

For the past several years, I have been using computers that have no RS-232 serial ports. In spite of that, I have several pieces of equipment that I use regularly that still communicate with the computer over RS-232. I put off purchasing a USB to RS-232 converter because of all the horror stories about the effectiveness of this type of converter.After I purchased a new piece of radio equipment that did not offer a USB port for computer-radio communication, I finally broke down and ordered this converter. I chose the 4 port converter since I have so many different pieces of equipment that would be using it at any given time.This is what I like about this converter:- It has 4 ports. This is a very important feature for me due to the number of pieces of my equipment that are still RS-232 only. A single port converter was useless for my needs.- After installation, the different applications and equipment worked flawlessly with the converter.- Communication speeds can be faster than standard RS-232.- Worked on the first try, right out of the box.- It is supposed to work on Mac OS X and Windows (I have only tried Windows so far, but Mac will be set up shortly).This is what I don't like about the converter:- Pricey! But, it has great Mac support that others don't offer.- When installing the four serial ports in Windows, the software goes through a process of warning you that new hardware is found four times. Since this software is not WHQL tested, you also get a warning that this software has not been Windows tested four times. It takes forever to click through all the information pop-ups. If Keyspan would like free, unsolicited advice, either WHQL test the installation software and hardware, or give the installer a "Yes to All" option so that the installation doesn't require so much user attention to complete.As stated earlier, I run about 50% Mac and 50% Windows, so I will be installing this on a Macintosh computer soon. I'll make an effort to update this review for the Mac users out there.

This took a while to get working right. I needed to download updated drivers from the web to get it to configure properly. Works OK now.

We rely on this unit in a County Office of Emergency Services communications trailer to operate HAM radio packet and radio control systems. Many of our devices just haven't been "upgraded" to usb technology. In some ways, we're glad they haven't, as this device allows us to operate 4 ports at the expense of only one USB port on the computer.The unit installed seamlessly on both Windows XP and Windows 7 computers (both 32 and 64 bit). WE did download an upgraded driver from TrippLite, which was a big help. The new driver is more intelligent than the versions we worked with on the unit we replaced. Now we don't have to worry about plugging into the same USB port each time -- the driver assigns the same port numbers regardless, unlike the old system that would assign different port numbers depending upon which USB port you used (really frustrating). This unit is a pleasure to use in comparison.A subtle, but visible LED indicates which port is in use, a nice addition -- and it's not so bright that it is conspicuous in low-light conditions, which is normal in our setting.So far, we've experienced no glitches interfacing with any device. Granted, our systems don't require blazing speed, but reliability is paramount -- and this unit delivers.The only change I would like to see is the USB connection on the unit moved to the rear -- its placement on the side of the unit makes it a little less "clean" and cable routing is a tad bit more challenging when installing in a quasi-permanent arrangement. Thankfully, this unit was a little smaller than previous units, so we were able to work it out.

I have used Keyspans individual port adapters for several years. They work flawlessly and are quite fast. I do a lot of work on high speed serial devices running without flow control. The devices keep up.I found that I often had 4 single Keyspans cluttering my desk. I wanted this device. When I finally found it, it was a no-brainer. It works flawlessly. (I had hoped it would be less expensive than 4 singles - and it is - just a little.)A nice little benefit is I use their static mapping tool to make the ports appear as COM11 thru COM14, eliminating past confusion about which port goes with which device.Serial is officially a legacy device. New PCs don't have serial ports. But, if you have a lot of serial devices to manage, this is a great way to simplify cabling and management hassles.

Running latest update of WIN10 64 bit, crashes the OS on two desktops and flat out refuses to load on my laptop; if you can get it to install correctly (W/Out crashing the OS (BSD) is really BAD) when running back to back with loopback cable tons of crc, frame errors. Tech support very professional, but no driver updates from WIN7 to WIN10. Returned this device and purchased 4 of the USA-19HS single ports, works perfectly!

These are solid USB/Serial adapters. I'm driving several home automation devices from a Mac (using Indigo) with this, and it's never given me any trouble of any kind. You need to install the right drivers (it depends on the version of the system). I simply don't have anything bad to say about these.You pay a bit of a premium (at $25/port) because Keyspan (as the companies they bought this from) actually spends a modicum of effort to keep drivers up to date and resolve issues. I'm giving them five stars because I it is worth the pre-support (not having to scrounge drivers and debug their installation). If you're counting individual dollars and are a Linux hacker, go get the cheap stuff and good luck. :)Cheers -- perry