StarTech.com 3ft (1m) USB to Serial Adapter Cable, COM Retention, Interchangeable Screws/Nuts, USB-A to DB9 RS232, FTDI IC, ESD Protection, Windows/macOS/Linux

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

If you need a simple, reliable USB-to-RS232 lead for legacy kit (think barcode scanners, older PLC/consoles, some industrial peripherals), this StarTech cable is a sensible buy—especially at £27.84 ex-VAT. The big real-world win is the FTDI chipset and the “COM retention” idea: it reduces that annoying “which COM port is it now?” problem when you redeploy machines. That saves time for anyone supporting multiple workstations and not wanting to babysit drivers or device mapping every time a USB port changes.

Who it suits best: small-to-mid IT teams, warehouses, and field ops using legacy serial devices and wanting one consistent adapter across Windows/macOS/Linux. It’s also a decent choice if you keep adapters in a spares drawer—interchangeable screw/nut ends are genuinely useful when different serial ports or housings don’t behave the same. Why you might not buy: if you’re doing high-volume lab-style comms, needing long cable runs, or you’re standardising fleet-wide with strict lifecycle/warranty policies, you may want to look at a more purpose-built serial adapter with better documentation and support options for your environment. But for straightforward “make this old thing talk over USB” work, this is good value and unlikely to cause headaches.