USB to RS232 Serial Port Adapter (Transparent Green)

Pros: - Prolific Technology PL2303
- Works with Linux, no additional drivers needed (pl2303 module usually comes with Linux)
- Extension cable included

Cons: - less suited for "bit-banging" type of communication, over RS232 status and control lines. Communication with these kind of peripherals becomes *very* slow. This is an issue with USB-RS232 converters in general, and not specific to this device. Examples of such devices are some serial in-system programming adapters for microcontrollers. But communication with devices, using the "real" RS232 data lines does not suffer from this limitation.
- The thread of one screw on the RS232 side was a tad damaged, and didn't go in easily first. After having tightened the screw a few times, the thread got reshaped and works nicely now.

Other: This device was purchased in the hope that it would work with Linux. As the description didn't say what controller chip it contains, I simply hoped that it would be supported, or I'd pass on to a windows user, in case it wouldn't.
I was pleased to find that the chip is identified as Prolific Technology PL2303, which is a Linux-friendly controller, and sure enough, simply inserting the device into a USB port caused the machine to create the device file /dev/ttyUSB0 which is used by programs to talk to the serial port. As my machine (running Linux) has no other serial ports, this converter allows me to painlessly talk to the odd RS232 peripherals. For the price of this device one can't possibly go wrong.

Pros: Comes carefully wrapped in bubble plastic bags and adhesive tape.
Comes with 50cm USB extension cable.
Comes with an itsy bitsy driver disc.
Has a USB connector in one end.
Has a male RS-232 connector in the other end.
Seems to do what it is supposed to.
Build quality is such that the rubbery plastic housing comes right off. Some would see this as a con, but it is great for use with electronic projects. It allows you to remove the RS-232 connector and solder wires directly to the print. You might even want to skip the level converter/inverter - if somebody has figured out where to solder please let me know.
Price, price, price. The price is so ridiculously low that I could not even buy the RS-232 connector in a local electronics detail shop. The price lets me buy 5 instead of just one without another thought. Such converters cost a fortune when they first appeared.
No blinky LEDs.

Cons: It was not delivered by a scarcely clad representative of the opposite sex.
It did not come with string for hanging it from the christmas tree.
It does not have an exotic scent.
It is not pink.

Other: Bottom line is, if you need a USB extension cable, if you need a USB plug, if you need a male RS-232 connector or if you need a USB to RS-232 converter buy this. Bottom line is, if you need something to fondle in your pocket of if you need something to throw at your neighbours dog, buy this. This is so cheap that you cannot afford not to buy it. BUY, BUY, BUY!

Pros: it comes with an extension cable. Without that, it would be very hard to use. Imagine having this stick out of your computer and then the serial device connected to this product.

Cons: If you plug it into the USB port first, it falls apart by separating the plastic/rubber case from the inner circuit.
The driver disk that it comes with is NOT easy to figure out. For example, the root directory contains these folders:

Other: Not recommended unless you really know what you're doing with it. Better be an expert on this.

Pros: Cheap

Cons: The root directory of the driver disk includes the following folders:
98ME_20011_2kXP_20024
810driver
BF-100C
BF100N
BF-120
BF-810
BF-1284
CS881x Windows 98 Driver
HW-338(USB TO SATA_3.5IDE_2.5IDE)
M110 (plus a couple chinese characters)
PL-2303
SUB TO IDE
UE-PA15CC
USB Netlink cable 2.0
Files in the root are:
MA110E_Win98_Driver.exe
PL2507_Disk_Remove_Generic_1700.exe
readme.txt

Other: Be sure to understand the PL2303 chip like the back of your hand before purchasing.

Pros: Cheap.
Works just "plug and play" on Linux system I tested it with. I tested with Fedora Linux.

Cons: I have read that this device meeds messing with drivers on Windows system. I have not tried that.

Other: If you are looking for a cheap USB-RS232 adapter to use with a Linux system this is the one to get.

Pros: 1. Cheap.
2. Board are well manufactured.
3. fast order process.
4. fast shipping.
5. nice USB chip
6. nice serial port chip.
7. works fine even with all those missing parts.

Cons: 1. Poor glue or no glue.
2. resistor parts are missing.
3. capacitors are missing.
4. the enclosure is easy to fail apart.
5. 10 software CD, only one is the same as the picture shown, the other 9 are different, but is better.
6. the red software CD doesn't seems having the right PC driver. The other 9 blue software CD all works and seems got all drivers.

Other: For simple TX and RX use, buy it. It works.
I ordered 10 pieces, all works for simple TX and RX. Good deal.

Pros: PCB can be easily shifted out of the enclosure, so it is easy to access its inner electronics (this is handy for those people that build their own electronic "things") Still it is sturdy enough for those people that don't want to do electronics and just want a workin USB-RS232 converter
All lines from the RS232 connector are connected to a PCB trace. This might mean handshaking is possible (but I didn't test that)
The thing is actually working (at this price!) and seems to be soldered lead-free (or has a lot of cold joints, but as it is working I suppose it is lead-free)
Tested it under Ubuntu (no driver needed, max speed 115200 baud, found working) and Windows XP(driver is on the cd that came with it, just insert the cd in the drive and let windows install drivers automatically). Haven't tested Win7 yet.

Cons: It is a bit dusty, some dirt on the connectors etc.
The cable that came with it is absolutely rubbish. It is to cheaply made, to thin and probably no shielding. Maybe even no wires at all in it... I would rather haven't got any cable with it, these useless cables aren't helping the environment... wasted resources etc...
(I seem to need 1000 characters of cons, but there is no more cons... I have just recieved and tested the thing and it is working fine and doesn't smell or something)

Other: If you need a USB-rs232 bridge, then buy this one. It works under Linux and its housing can easily be opened, besides it is the cheapest on DX. But don't expect the cable supplied with it to work... (I didn't expect to receive a cable with it, so no problem for me)

Pros: Attractive translucent aquamarine-coloured casing.
Functional DB9 connector.
Standard USB connector.
Convenient small size.

Cons: Does not have voice recognition function. Why is this? Almost everything you buy these days has voice recognition!

Other: Buy it now! Buy a bunch!

Pros: - Pretty cheap - Works with my netbook and GPS - Includes drivers and cable!

Cons: - Installing drivers can be a bit tricky - For proper connection, screws should be female. Not a big deal though

Other: A nice thing to have... Not 5 stars because everything can be better, but a great buy though.

Pros: Contrary to what was written in revews, the thing does support full handshake - RTS/CTS and DSR/DTR. Nice "sea green" shell, easy to remove.

Cons: While output voltage in HIGH (inactive) state was over 8 Volts, in active state it was only 1.5 V. After looking at teh PCB I discovered that one of charge pump capacitors was simply missing from assembly. There is a row of unpopulated 0603 pads just below the PL2303 chip - 6 of them may remain empty, while the seventh should be populated with 100 nF capacitor, same as 8th and 9th, which were correctly populated. After soldering the capacitor everything works as expected

Other: At that price the device is cheaper than FT232RL chip alone; cute plastic case, MAX211 and thin USB extension cable com essentially for free. I am about to buy a few more to use in my hobby projects.