Optipac with serial to USB converter?

[1UP]

Hey, just wondering if anyone has tried hooking up an Optipac using a serial to USB converter?  I was trying to hook up mine thru a PS2 to USB converter today, then attaching a DB9 to mini-din6 adapter, but no luck.  The PC just  can't see the Optipac as a PS2 mouse, period.

The reason I'm asking is because the only 2 options I've found are the Belkin USB/Serial adapter, which is a little box like a USB hub that runs about $80 at Fry's.    The other is an Iogear converter that just appears to be a serial cable with a usb connector on one end.  This is about half the price, but the packaging only says that it works with PDAs, modems, and a few other things, but no mention of mice.

I won't get a chance to go buy and try one of these two until the end of the week, so I wanted to know what people's experiences have been with going this route.

BTW, before you ask, it's for my rotating CP.  I'm somewhat limited in the number and size of connectors and cables that can fit thru the axle of my panels.  There is no way a serial connector will squeeze thru.  I have a serial trackball AND a serial Optipac that need to somehow connect to the PC.  Ideally, I'm trying to go USB with everything, so I can plug in as many hubs as I need in the CP, and run just one USB cable out to the PC...

[Tiger-Heli]

Headrusch (I think), posted a while ago that Andy was about two weeks away from releasing a USB version of the Opti-PAC.  Andy also told me he had the design ready and was only waiting on drivers to be developed.

You might want to contact Andy about this.  I know it's a pain to end up scrapping your serial opti-pac, but the USB opti-pac is probably less than either of the converters you mention.

You also would probably want to run your serial tracball through the USB opti-pac, but that should be fairly simple to do.

Actually, Andy is looking for Beta testers for the USB opti-pac now . . .
I just ran across this thread: http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=2867

[rampy]

You could always run the cable then attach the "fatter" serial connector thing at the end...

Also do you remember the old school serial ports that were really wide?  I vaguely remember before they wired my dorms to ethernet (just after I moved out...---daisies---!) you could "terminal" in to the VAX by using a fat serial connnector (and adapters to small if necssary) but it had a plug for a ethernet or phone cable which then ran to the wall... (do you know what I mean/am talking about?)

Just a thought... but maybe if you end up being a beta tester for Andy it'll be a moot point..

Good luck!

rampy