I am having the Bot Board II and the SSC-32 designed with USB comm functionality using the FTDI chip. The Basic Micro guys say the FTDI is better then Prolific. I have used the IO Gear GUC232 and BAFO ones which use the Prolific chip, but I know others have used the Parallax one which uses the FTDI chip. My gut tells me they are the same, but I am open to advice. Thanks
I have had good luck with both. I am currently using a Prolific chip with the BAFO cable that I currently use to work on the Atom Pro. I am using FTDI chips with Parallax (propeller) as well as ones I purchased earlier from Raido Shack (Startech?).
If I were you, I would choose the FTDI chip as from what you are saying BasicMicro recommends it and I would theirfore assume that they are using it in their new boards…
Kurt
P.S. - It would be great if you built some versions that had this circuit removeable (like the propeller plug). It might allow a smaller footprint and for those people who purchase multiple boards, they may only need one such adapter which could save money… Just a thought
I’ve got a Startech USB serial adapter with the prolific chip and it works the best of several adapters I have. The below adapter has the FDTI chip and apparently it also works well. I suggest also adding a jumper on the ssc-32 board such that the board itself can be powered by the USB 5v power supply if desired.
no experience with the prolific chip but have used several of the FTDI devices in products over the years. The newest ones are great… almost nothing required outside the chip itself. I will add I have not used them under Vista, Linux, or Mac OS so those are unknowns with respect to knowing if any driver issues exist.
Also, if the ssc-32 board is being redesigned, make the chip voltage reference pin jumpered so that the jumper can be easily removed and another reference voltage connected to the chip.