Can a Ti Graph Link used as a data cable like the 20-289???

Caesar · #1 (**permalink**) 04-21-2005, 08:06 AM

I have a Ti Graph link, data cable to run between pc (seral connection) and a Ti graphing calc, it has a stero type plug on the end, it is not the correct size, but if i got a adapter to make it the correct size, would the cable work for like the pro 95 etc? it is a two way cable, and i am tempted to test it, just don't want to risk messing up the scanner....

any ideals/thoughts?

thanks...

Joseph11 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-21-2005, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caesar

I have a Ti Graph link, data cable to run between pc (seral connection) and a Ti graphing calc, it has a stero type plug on the end, it is not the correct size, but if i got a adapter to make it the correct size, would the cable work for like the pro 95 etc? it is a two way cable, and i am tempted to test it, just don't want to risk messing up the scanner....

any ideals/thoughts?

thanks...

It may work if you adapt it to mono and 1/8.

Halfpint · #3 (**permalink**) 04-22-2005, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joseph11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caesar

I have a Ti Graph link, data cable to run between pc (seral connection) and a Ti graphing calc, it has a stero type plug on the end, it is not the correct size, but if i got a adapter to make it the correct size, would the cable work for like the pro 95 etc? it is a two way cable, and i am tempted to test it, just don't want to risk messing up the scanner....

any ideals/thoughts?

thanks...

It may work if you adapt it to mono and 1/8.

Somehow, knowing a bit about TI and a couple of their older calculators that could be hooked up to a computer, I've got this feeling that what you'd end up with would be a `one way' cable of sorts. {FROWN!}

While it is nice to be able to save a bit here and there I think that you'd be *a lot* better off just getting the right cable from either GRE or RS. Besides not having to worry about whether ot not the cable one is using is right the GRE / RS cable (RS CAT# 20-289) allows one to leave the cable hooked up to the scanner until one has finished `tweaking' one's configuration. IE: After finishing either an upload to the scanner or after finishing doing a VScanner upload, or whatever, and clicked on the `Done' button the scanner will re-boot and go right back to scanning *without* having to unplug the cable. (About the only `problem' *I* have noticed that one can encounter is a re-boot if one turns of the *computer* without unplugging the cable when using the GRE/RS cable and the remedy is, of course {GRIN!}, to just remember to unplug the cable *before* turning off the computer if one minds it re-booting at that point. I used to have a "Purple" cable and besides the constant annoyance of having to keep unplugging the cable after every up or download *if* I actually did leave the cable in and shut off the computer the scanner would sit there and `complain' at me by sometimes making me have to do a re-set of the scanner. That was with a PRO-92 as I got the GRE/RS cable as quickly as I could and never tried using the "Purple" cable with my PRO-96 / 2096s. )

BTW, the way the PC/IF port knows whether or not there is a cable attached is whether or not the `signal' line is grounded or not. If the line is grounded it figures that there isn't a cable hooked up. If it's not grounded then it figures it's got a cable installed. I used that to make up an `extension' cable for the port for a *PRO-2067* that was dash mounted and was too big of a hassle to keep taking and removing and replacing any time the programming needed changing. I went and bought a RS cable that had the right plug, 1/8th" mono, on one end and stripped and tinned wires on the other end along with an 1/8th" *switched* jack. I wired up the cable to the jack so that the switch part grounded the `tip' / `signal' / `centre' conductor when the programming cable wasn't installed. I mounted the jack in a properly sized hole I found along the ungrounded `skirt' part of the dash where it was easy to get to but also out of sight. The owner of the car is still using it and sometimes actually, when he's `railfanning' and is chasing across `districts' has the GRE/RS cable and his laptop hooked up so he can change the programming `on the fly'. {GRIN!}

Caesar · #4 (**permalink**) 04-22-2005, 05:19 PM

lol, well, i have the 20-289 cable, but found my graph link cable and got courious! LOL, well thanks for the replies! i might still test it out...

Halfpint · #5 (**permalink**) 04-24-2005, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caesar

lol, well, i have the 20-289 cable, but found my graph link cable and got courious! LOL, well thanks for the replies! i might still test it out...

*If* it works then it can be added to the list of `alternatives'. {GRIN!} If it doesn't then it can still be added only with a notation that it doesn't work. Either way it is another bit of knowledge that could be helpful for someone else later on. Just be sure to check out this URL before you start your `testing'.

http://www.starrsoft.com/software/wi...es/cables.html

Don was real nice to have assembled all this info into one decent location for us.

ImTheWeasel · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2005, 05:56 PM

I'm currently using a cable that is exactly like a graphlink cable. that came from a little personal pda thing from walmart, i just hacked off the small end, and reconnected an 1/8 plug, it does work 2-way with my pro-95. i beleive the way in which i connected the wires on mine was red to white and black to the shielding. it's been working solid ever since.
hopefully this helps.

Caesar · #7 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 11:19 AM

yes, using an adapter from mini to 1/8 in didn't work, and i used the cable on my ti, and it worked both ways, and this cable costs more than the 20-289, so i'm going to leave mine alone, lol, so i guess in my case it just isn't going to work..

thanks for the input though guys!