Homemade PC sync cable Sherwood Wisdom?

[CO_SKI_MANIAC]

So to pay for diving, my real job is a computer geek ...so my question is has anyone ever heard of making a home-made sync cable for the Sherwood Wisdom computer? not biggie, i still will shell out the 120.00, just curious...

Dan

 

[eclipse785]

I've been wondering the same thing. If you ever succeed, let me know.

 

[CO_SKI_MANIAC]

yeah i may try just with a regular USB link..i have no clue why there is a little box on the wire...i am going to try it over the weekend.i will let you know

 

[D_B]

Here is something from this thread ... http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=174770

Cable Suitable for Suunto Vyper/Vytec/Vytec DS/Cobra/Mosquito/D3 ... http://customidea.com/shop/product_info.php?currency=USD&cPath=21&products_id=99&osCsid=4722b65bff0b3c063f9749a333d74c1c not for a Sherwood , but ?

 

[dexter98]

NEVER connect USB directly to your divecomputer!!! Chance is that it will ruin your divecomputer!!!


There is not much eletronics in these cables, but there still is some electronics.

Most serial versions only have a level-shifter, voltage regulator / limiter and somtimes an invertor.

Most USB versions use a 'standard' USB-to-serial converter and use a level shifter to connect it to the divecomputer.

This is at least the case for the newer 2-pin Suunto divecomputers and all Seiko-based divecomputers (Archimede, Quantum, Nitek Duo, IQ700). You could take a look at my website what the interface looks like for the Seiko-based ones:

http://daniel.vvtp.tudelft.nl/seiko/

 

[CO_SKI_MANIAC]

thats why i was a bit skeptical in trying to make one since you see a little black box inline on the USB...must be a voltage regulator. $140 is better then bricking the computer and buying a new one for $800...i will still keep looking for a 4-pin connector

thanks for the info!


Cheers!

Dan

 

[ichigolin]

I believe there is an FTDI chip (USB-Serial) inside the little black box. I haven't opened it up to confirm yet. I'm basing this on the supplied USB drivers. The only difficulty in duplicating the cable will probably be the connection to the Wisdom itself. Parts wise, I'm sure it'll be cheap.

When you pay the $120 you're getting the cable and you're paying for the software too. With that being said, let's hope the next version of the software is much improved due to our $120 contributions.

 

[CO_SKI_MANIAC]

especially considering you can download the software for free on sherwoods site...expensive packaging!!