I haven't used any in a while. However, I used to use Moxa N-Ports quite a bit. They came with a nice Windows ap that created virtual comm ports on your box so that serial-only software would work over IP.
Digi is also nice, bullet proof but a bit pricey. Maybe $180.00US? for the 1 port.
$130 from Amazon, as low as $120 a number of places. We've recommended them because we've never yet heard about a failure in the field. Once you set them to auto-reconnect. Probably close to 100 of them on our systems across the country.
For a much easier solution, look at the ICSLan boxes from AMX. They were recently released and show up in the AMX system as a native Netlinx device, so sending a serial string to them is the same as any other Netlinx device.
For a much easier solution, look at the ICSLan boxes from AMX. They were recently released and show up in the AMX system as a native Netlinx device, so sending a serial string to them is the same as any other Netlinx device.
Thanks for the plug, Andrew. These products starting shipping 2-months ahead of schedule.
Please continue to promote AMX products...we all have families to feed too!
Since those are probably about $500.00 list for a 2 port device what's the likehood of AMX ever making a single port version for those times/locations where only one will ever be needed. A $250.00 1 port compared to a $100.00 alternative is an acceptable increase in expense but $500.00 compared to $100.00 isn't. If I need 2 ports or there's a possibilty for a second serial device this is a no brainer and it is a very nice addition to the AMX product line. So if spending a little more helps your family eat better I'm all for it and the fact that it's easier to set up as a native device is good too.
Of course you know your comparison is unfair. The 2 port ICSlan Serial is msrp over $500, but you don't pay that. The $100 unit you are comparing it to, you pay $100 for. Do you charge your customer $500+ for the AMX version, and $100 for the other? If so, you put the sizable difference for the AMX one right in your own pocket. If you mark each up $50, the difference is clearly less... and the convenience of the AMX setup is worth something in your time at least. Still not cheap, and that's your real point, and I agree.
It may be that an ICSLan box may not even be what is needed. The "typical" use of serial-to-IP converters is to remotely access serial-only configurable devices. For me, I never used one as a remote AMX port. I used them with audio processors that had to be configured with a serial connection to a PC. Using a converter, I was able to use an IP network to move the PC further from the device than a serial connection would allow.
Of course you know your comparison is unfair. The 2 port ICSlan Serial is msrp over $500, but you don't pay that. The $100 unit you are comparing it to, you pay $100 for. Do you charge your customer $500+ for the AMX version, and $100 for the other? If so, you put the sizable difference for the AMX one right in your own pocket. If you mark each up $50, the difference is clearly less... and the convenience of the AMX setup is worth something in your time at least. Still not cheap, and that's your real point, and I agree.
I also have some tech savvy customers who will price check every freaking line item. Not usually the customer I want but I need to take what I can get and they'll look at comparable prices of alternative item and actual ask me why I don't use use a $100 serial server that they can find googling instead of a $500 item from AMX. Of course if I word my line item description a little better so it doesn't sound like just a serial server they won't think of a simple serial server as an alternative. I still need to consider the bottom line though so I can't keep adding items I'd prefer to work with. Sometimes I need to consider the lowest costing item that will do the job, keeping in mind the setup time obviously.
Back on Point:
Anyway if AMX had a single port option the cost difference would be close enough all things considered to warrant the aded expense if and when only a single port is needed. Behind a TV for instnace where dealer cost + 50 would still keep it out of contention.
My guess is that AMX knew they could not be cost competitive on a single port solution (way less volume than a multibrand solution, higher bar on build materials for commercial use - note the metal box). So they went multiport to be useful at the price point they could make. They can't cut the price in half by removing 1 port, any more than Jaguar can make a 50% price cut on that new XK I want by removing two wheels. A single port AMX might only cut their costs by $10, and adding another catalog skew costs them more than that. Oh well, good to have options.
My guess is that AMX knew they could not be cost competitive on a single port solution (way less volume than a multibrand solution, higher bar on build materials for commercial use - note the metal box). So they went multiport to be useful at the price point they could make. They can't cut the price in half by removing 1 port, any more than Jaguar can make a 50% price cut on that new XK I want by removing two wheels. A single port AMX might only cut their costs by $10, and adding another catalog skew costs them more than that. Oh well, good to have options.
I don't know where I got that price from I posted before but it looks like the list price is closer to $800.00 which really makes it a "no sale" item when you can find alternatives for 25% the cost.
As far as creating a single port device at half the price it should be trivial since the R&D is already done and that's where the cost comes from not the materials used to make it. If a jaguar was actually 2 cars joined together they should easily be able to create a single car version for 1/2 the cost.
Knowing the actual cost I don't see myself specifying them in any jobs. I'll specify SitePlayers at $80.00 per extra or remote port needed which will make it more likely that I get the job. It's more important that I'm able to eat before I help to feed anyone else.
I looked at the prices of the new pieces and was going to ask why not use an NI-700 or 900 at those prices.... But it appears the COST on those two items have gone up 50% in the past year, and that's comparing our new gold prices to silver.
Yet the 2100/3100/4100 are lower in price (by what looks like the gold/silver difference). So does any one know when the price went up on the 700/900? Was it after another department came up with the ISCLan boxes that are more expensive and do less?
What's in a 700/900 that could cause the cost to go up 50% and not effect the x100 series???
I looked at the prices of the new pieces and was going to ask why not use an NI-700 or 900 at those prices.... But it appears the COST on those two items have gone up 50% in the past year
Wow. I didn't notice the price hike on the NI-700. I think it's relatively recent.
Now the 700/900 is just a few hundred less than a 2100 which basically $100 less than a 3100. With such a small difference in prices you might as well specify the 3100 for everything unless you need the 4100.
I heard they were going to target the higher, high end market but why close the door on the smaller sales?
Well, for a Bronze dealer like me, a NI700 had an increase in price of 55% from the July 2011 price list.
+17% for NI2100
While the NI3100 dropped 6%... I guess that might anounce end of life coming of any 700, 900 and 2100.
BTW, these new EXB-xxx just had an increase of 80% (for Bronze dealer)!!!!
While the downloadable price list still shows "July pricing". Must check what is going on.
In the end, back to the search for a device that I can justify for my client, for just bringing an LG26 Tv to the system.
There have not been any price increases. There was an error on the AMX web site that has been corrected.
That's good to hear and that means the EXB-Com-2 if reasonable priced again but only if you need 2 ports. I can see 1/2 the time needing a single port behind a TV or projector so what about a single port version at half the cost.
Pep_SD
Posts: 106
Comments
http://netmedia.com/siteplayer/
Digi is also nice, bullet proof but a bit pricey. Maybe $180.00US? for the 1 port.
The Moxa is also great and I've used their 8 port rack mount solution, 232/485 for around $800.00US?.
$130 from Amazon, as low as $120 a number of places. We've recommended them because we've never yet heard about a failure in the field. Once you set them to auto-reconnect. Probably close to 100 of them on our systems across the country.
ICSLan EXB-COM2
Thanks for the plug, Andrew. These products starting shipping 2-months ahead of schedule.
Please continue to promote AMX products...we all have families to feed too!
Since those are probably about $500.00 list for a 2 port device what's the likehood of AMX ever making a single port version for those times/locations where only one will ever be needed. A $250.00 1 port compared to a $100.00 alternative is an acceptable increase in expense but $500.00 compared to $100.00 isn't. If I need 2 ports or there's a possibilty for a second serial device this is a no brainer and it is a very nice addition to the AMX product line. So if spending a little more helps your family eat better I'm all for it and the fact that it's easier to set up as a native device is good too.
I also have some tech savvy customers who will price check every freaking line item. Not usually the customer I want but I need to take what I can get and they'll look at comparable prices of alternative item and actual ask me why I don't use use a $100 serial server that they can find googling instead of a $500 item from AMX. Of course if I word my line item description a little better so it doesn't sound like just a serial server they won't think of a simple serial server as an alternative. I still need to consider the bottom line though so I can't keep adding items I'd prefer to work with. Sometimes I need to consider the lowest costing item that will do the job, keeping in mind the setup time obviously.
Back on Point:
Anyway if AMX had a single port option the cost difference would be close enough all things considered to warrant the aded expense if and when only a single port is needed. Behind a TV for instnace where dealer cost + 50 would still keep it out of contention.
As far as creating a single port device at half the price it should be trivial since the R&D is already done and that's where the cost comes from not the materials used to make it. If a jaguar was actually 2 cars joined together they should easily be able to create a single car version for 1/2 the cost.
Knowing the actual cost I don't see myself specifying them in any jobs. I'll specify SitePlayers at $80.00 per extra or remote port needed which will make it more likely that I get the job. It's more important that I'm able to eat before I help to feed anyone else.
Yet the 2100/3100/4100 are lower in price (by what looks like the gold/silver difference). So does any one know when the price went up on the 700/900? Was it after another department came up with the ISCLan boxes that are more expensive and do less?
What's in a 700/900 that could cause the cost to go up 50% and not effect the x100 series???
Kevin D.
I heard they were going to target the higher, high end market but why close the door on the smaller sales?
+17% for NI2100
While the NI3100 dropped 6%... I guess that might anounce end of life coming of any 700, 900 and 2100.
BTW, these new EXB-xxx just had an increase of 80% (for Bronze dealer)!!!!
While the downloadable price list still shows "July pricing". Must check what is going on.
In the end, back to the search for a device that I can justify for my client, for just bringing an LG26 Tv to the system.
There have not been any price increases. There was an error on the AMX web site that has been corrected.
That's good to hear and that means the EXB-Com-2 if reasonable priced again but only if you need 2 ports. I can see 1/2 the time needing a single port behind a TV or projector so what about a single port version at half the cost.
Yep. I called this morning and Laura confirmed.
Thank you Brian for posting this on the forum.