Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!rutgers!mit-eddie!genrad!decvax!savax!elrond!jdschnit From: jdschnit@elrond.CalComp.COM (Jeffrey D. Schnitzer) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac Subject: Re: BSR Units for the mac Message-ID: <1069@elrond.CalComp.COM> Date: Wed, 22-Jul-87 16:15:48 EDT Article-I.D.: elrond.1069 Posted: Wed Jul 22 16:15:48 1987 Date-Received: Fri, 24-Jul-87 06:16:43 EDT References: <528@td2cad.intel.com> Reply-To: jdschnit@elrond.UUCP (Jeffrey D. Schnitzer) Distribution: na Organization: Calcomp Display Products Division, Hudson, NH, USA Lines: 33 In article <528@td2cad.intel.com> ssprouse@td2cad.UUCP (Steven T. Sprouse) writes: > I've seen some BSR controllers that interface to PC's via >an RS232 port. The controller runs about $40 and the interface modules >run about $13 a piece. Does anyone know how many companies market >these and which ones are good. > Also, does anyone know where to get schematics or kits to build >your own? I wouldn't mind shelling out $40 for the controller but $13 >per interface module is kinda steep especially if you want to connect >5-6 different devices. I bought the Mac version of the controller from DAK last winter for $20.00, and Radio Shack had most of the interface modules for $9 at the time. And, yes, I did go wild buying more modules than I really should have (after all, _everything_ should be automated). Almost all similar systems are BSR compatible (I don't remember which are not). The Mac version of the controller software is very nice. It's got a good, powerful Mac-ish interface and lets you do a lot more with the unit than you can manually -- without having to tie up your serial port by keeping the unit permanently connected. No schematics are provided, but they do document the protocol for you. A friend took apart one of his interface modules and decided it wasn't worth modifying/cloning. The XTEN management team bought the division from BSR, so they are on their own now. They have a product support roundtable on GEnie with a lot of activity. Disclaimer: I did later win a $100 prize (2 radio controllers) from them for an idea submitted to a GEnie XTEN contest. -- ============================================================================== Jeffrey D. Schnitzer, Calcomp Display Products Division, Hudson NH 03051-0908 jdschnit@elrond.CalComp.COM (I hate short unix names) MaBell: (603) 885-8156