USB to UART 5-Pin CP2102 Module Serial Converter

Pros: - It is installed by Windows 7 from Windows Update, so I don't needed to search for drivers - The included cable is fexible, so I can use all pins in any order - It is easy to use, just plug in, and use as a COM port in eg.: Putty - It has leds on the board, so I can see data transmission - Well builded, but it has only a weak cover

Cons: It could be cheaper, but it has a correct price anyway.

Other: This is a target device, and therefore can not recommend it to everyone, but if you know what to do with.

Pros: - Simple device
- Small size
- Lightweight and
- Working.
- It includes a cable, so you can easily connect it to any application you are going to use it.

Cons: - It could be cheaper
- And maybe a little bit more protected, like in some kind of case... but maybe that may make it look worst.

Other: if you know what to do with one divice such as this... then its just as good as any other one.

Pros: This is a tool that everyone which likes electrical engineering and/or hardware (and often software) hacking needs to have.
It will not work on standard RS232 levels, which is somewhat bad, but for that you can buy a usb-serial adapter anywhere in the world, including here.
It has, instead, a 5v and a 3.3v TTL interface, which is often needed for a lot of things. You can use that to talk to a microcontroller directly on TTL, instead of having to have a ttl-to-rs232 logic converter (read: max232 IC)

Cons: I think the only con that I might raise is that it don't pack a FT232 IC, which as a friend of mine says, is the best usb-serial device on Windows. Since I do Linux, it doesn't change a thing.
Besides that, there's little to no cons.

Other: If you know what ttl-to-rs232 logic converter means, you probably need one of these.
In doubt, just buy it, as it's really cheap, you might need it in the future.

Pros: Standard USB to serial converter (but not with RS232 levels), works out of the box with Ubuntu Linux. Probably useful to connect to the serial port on routers and other embedded devices. On Ubuntu 11.10 you need to remove the brltty daemon first (but that's their bug). A five-lead cable is included. It can supply 5V power to your doomsday device, which can be very useful. I've run it at 115200 baud and not missed a single bit.

Cons: One of mine came with the pins bent. They could be bent back without any probems, so I guess the packaging could be better.

Other: Buy two, you'll need them.

Pros: I use it to recover my IPCams firmware, from wrong firmware update. Very easy to use, if you know what to do with it. I fix the two cameras in few minutes.

Cons: Works out of the box on Windows 7. No drivers needs. It support, a 5V and a 3.3V, usefull for mamy applications. Comes with 4pin flexible cable, so you can easily connect it to any application.

Other: it is recommended to anyone, who need it, and know to use it.

Pros: this item allows make a serial communication throught TX and RX pins. I use it with AVR chips and hyperterminal V7.5, this item is very imprescindible for me. Also, another feature is as power source of 3.3Vdc and 5Vdc and GND, a good extra operation.

Cons: have wires with 4 pins but this item have 5 pins (5Vdc, 3.3Vdc, GND, TX and RX) therefore is a pin without a wire. also this item came without driver, but is easy to find it. Try usb serial2011 ftdi on you browser

Other: install in you PC hyperterminal and try RX and TX, connect TX to RX in ftdi, if you send a word or number you can see in screen the same word or number.

Pros: - Good packaging - Quickly and without delay brought - High-quality soldering - Includes cable with chips to connect the device, which is very convenient, there is no need to invent something extra - The unit is easy to define and set the computer - Find the driver was not difficult - It is convenient that you can work with devices that 3.3 that 5

Cons: - No driver included

Other: If you need something to flash or program take no regret.

Pros: It is good and cheap and very useful for DIY project the driver can be easily found with a little bit of browsing. The driver works vell with win x86 and x 64 systems

Cons: Unfortunately the driver for linux is not working properly this is related due to the chip it is using so just keep that in mind.

Other: Can be bought price is fair and the quality is good. And I think the plastic case is a nice touch in order to protect the device.

Pros: It's a good aid to output serial port message from my Hackberry arm board. Especially for debugging u-boot, which can not be found in dmesg. I lived in the dark for a month when hacking linux kernel for my allwinner a10 device(mk802 ii and hackberry board). With the help of this little guy, I can investing the issues. The CP2102 chips are supported by Linux. I only need to plug in to my pc. It's good to go.

Cons: None.

Other: Highly recommend for those debug the kernel.

Pros: Good quality assempling. Once installed the Silabs drivers, this converter worked at the first attempt and it was detected as a Virtual serial port by the PC.

Cons: There are no instructions or drivers included in the envelope, but they can easily found from the site of the manufacturer of CP2102 (www.silabs.com). Plenty of utilities can be downloaded from the same site.

Other: With this USB to UART converter I connected easily my PC to the internal serial interface of a router that was accepting only 3.3V levels. It was then a matter of few minutes to access the bootloader to recover my router from a bad flash.