Kanda's Parani10 serial Bluetooth adapter
By Ryan Block 
posted May 4th 2005 10:20AM
posted May 4th 2005 10:20AM
We know how gauche it is to even mention serial/DB9/RS232 this late in the game, but believe it or not there are
still a lot of embedded devices out there that use and require it. So if you were looking to upgrade said device (or
your sorry ass 286) to having some Bluetooth
goodness (say, for doing a wireless term session on your PIX), peep Kanda's Parani10 adapter. Sure, at $150 it may be a
bit hefty to cut the cord, but they're claiming 200m range out of box, and up to 1.2Km with an optional
antenna—sufficient for making it even further possible to quell the need for getting up from one's desk.
[Via TRFJ]
I think this is a good idea. I've got a laptop assigned to me for work, but it's an old AMD k5 type, with only one usb port; but I would like some bluetooth functionality. It is spendy, yes, but the fact of the matter is, it's the only option right now.
there is a bluetooth adapter at expansys called the free2move. It has been around for a while now...
I would think this product applies most specifically to the pro-audio and pro-video world (even, to some extent, pro-lighting) as many of the products you see at large concerts or performances run on RS-232 connections for diagnostics and remote control. (useful, for example, monitoring your amp racks when sitting in the audience at the mixing console.) In our case, this isn't even a situation of trying to support legacy products - new releases still use RS232 connections as well. If well implemented, this would replace the serial-ethernet-wireless bridge system we sometimes try to use now (to much fustration, at times)
this is quite cool. my job is an all-unix shop so we use serial console a lot (through a terminal server). using this would allow us to replace a boatload of cables with a wireless solution.. but i'm skeptical due to the 7-device limit of their hubs. maybe if they had 24-device or 48-device hubs it might be a better solution. bluetooth is automagically encrypted, right?
I see this being used primarily in the industrial world where serial is still king when it comes to control and monitoring. Sticking a BT adapter on sure beats crawling around in a paper mill drying room or around rapidly rotating machinery to run cables.
Socket makes a bluetooth serial dongle as well. I use one with my laptop to work with network equipment. It's great having a 30' work radius and no cable tangle to deal with.
i wonder if i can attach this to my gps unit?
Hehe this could replace our older Proxim modems in our telemetry systems ;) (All the electronics spit their data on RS232) And since my laptop and alot of the team's are bluetooth aswell hehe it rocks! (i dont have a serial port on my PowerBook for the other modem hehe)
The 7-way Bluetooth Gateway can be connected together - daisy chained - to provide multiples of 7 connections, so the limit is your purse..
Caveat emptor: these (from all manufacturers) work with only a limited number of devices -- before you spend $150 (or even $5) read http://www.socketcom.com/pdf/cordless/CSA_3-Wire_Tech_Note.pdf