USB/IR adaptor?

[Kentaur]

Hi

I wonder about this device the "Actisys ACT-IR4000US USB Adaptor/IR-Jack" that they sell on Expandsys. Is it compatible with psion machines? ANd if it is how fast will the transfer of data be?

[Beakynet]

If it is compatable with the Psion, the IR transfer rate is easy as that is limited by the speed of the Psion IR port - 115kbps.

[Kentaur]

BTW is the transferrate on the 7 and netbook also this little?

[Beakynet]

I am afraid it is. As far as I know, it could be made faster, but only with data compression and there is no driver I am aware of that can do this. I use a USB CF adaptor to transfer large files so IR speed is not really an issue.

[spegru]

If you want a USB mainly for speeding up backups etc, may I alternatively suggest an external CF drive for your PC - connected via USB. You can then backup the Psion (using PC to CF) at USB speed.

spegru

[Kentaur]

Where cab I get hold of one of those? How much could I typically expect one to cost?

What about Bluetooth any CFcard/bluetooth available for the psion % mx?

[Beakynet]

>Where cab I get hold of one of those? How much could I typically expect one to cost?

In the UK any Highstreey branch of Dixons or a Good Camera Shop. Make sure you get one that can do read and Write, some only do read. Cost is about £30 for a good one.

>What about Bluetooth any CFcard/bluetooth available for the psion 5 mx?

Very unlikely as drivers are unlikely to be made, however the Netbook might oneday get bluetooth!

[Kentaur]

Thanks for good and swift replies! This forum is great!

[spegru]

I'll just point out that backing up a CF will just copy the files on the CF itself - not the C drive. Make sure all your important files are on CF
Also this method does not use Psiwin so there is zero synching.
So make sure you set up your Psion to suit the method you are using

However, this technique works for me fine - I havn't even installed Psiwin on my PC!

spegru

[Kentaur]

Thanks spegru!:)

Too bad about the no sync part. I hjust posted a new thread which adressed this topic... (Perhaps maybe somene knows another way which will allow syncing this way?)

[MikeMcC]

I'll just point out that backing up a CF will just copy the files on the CF itself - not the C drive. Make sure all your important files are on CF This is why you copy "C" drive to a folder on the CF first. :)

[Crazed_Monkfish]

You can pick one up for around £6 from ebuyer at the moment... (CF reader/writer).

On the infrared side look for a program called plbeam - it will allow the infra red file sending / recieving actually work in a useful way with windows (without any extra software)

[fladda]

PC World (same company as Currys and Dixons) is currently selling the Jenoptik compact flash PC USB interface on special offer for GBP 12.50. Comes with a USB extention cable, so you don't have to mess around plugging your compact flash into the rear of your PC ! I purchased one of these compact flash interfaces and they seem to work OK.

Whilst this is not that cheap, it is quite cheap for PC world...

Ralph

[MikeMcC]

Whilst this is not that cheap, it is quite cheap for PC world... I think that is very cheap. My Sandisk USB CF Reader was almost £40! Does the device you mention work with normal CF disks or only the special "USB enabled" ones?

[Crazed_Monkfish]

I just picked up a pqi usb 6in1 reader/writer (CF/mmc/memory stick etc) for £17 from www.ebuyer.com - works a treat with all my CF cards :)

[fladda]

The Jenoptic compact flash reader at PC World for 12.49 GBP reads all type-1 cards AFAIK. Has worked OK with all my various Compact Flash cards, including Psion branded 16Mb card. Most of my comapct flash cards are 128Mbyte PQIs from Expansys. These seem to be OK.

Collegue reports seeing the same Jenoptic card for around 8 GBP at a computer fair. That said, I think I'll get another one from PC World, as they seem to work well, especially the M-F USB extention cable arrangement.

Ralph