Kingsun USB to IrDA Adapter

We use affiliate links. If you buy something through the links on this page, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

These days when we think of wireless connectivity between devices, we tend to only consider WiFi and Bluetooth. However, there was a time not long ago, when the only way to wirelessly connect two devices, was via infrared (aka IrDA). While IrDA isn’t dead by any means, we just don’t seem to think of it that often. At least I don’t… So, when Brando asked if I wanted to review a teeny tiny USB to IR adapter, I said sure, what the heck.

Brando wasn’t kidding when he said this adapter was small! It is a little over 1 inch in length and just a little wider than the connector portion of the adapter. The IR lens is located at the end of the adapter, which is housed in a Aqua colored semi-clear plastic case. A tiny red LED is located on the face of the adapter. This LED remains lit while plugged into a USB port.

brando kingsun usbir6

Hardware Specs

USB versions complied: USB1.1 (up to 12Mps)
IrDA specifications supported: SIR(2.4 to 57.6Kps), MIR(576 to 1152Kps), FIR(4Mbps)
Transmission range: 1 meter, 35 degrees cone angle

The adapter ships with a mini CD, which contains drivers for Windows 95,98,98SE,ME,2000 and XP computers. Sorry, the adapter is not compatible with Macs (I tried). When you first plug the adapter into an available USB port, your computer will prompt you for the driver.

brando kingsun usbir1

The first thing you have to do is to select the correct driver for your OS version. This isn’t difficult though… Scrolling to the right will show the file name, which contains the OS version name.

After the driver has been successfully installed, you’re ready to start using the adapter. The only device I really had available to help test this product, was my Treo 650. I configured the Hotsync application to use IR to sync, changed the hotsync app on the Treo itself to use IR and then pressed the hotsync button. Doing so, caused a new icon to appear in the task tray.

brando kingsun usbir2

While information is being sent back and forth between the IR adapter and device, the icon will animate. Right clicking on the icon will bring up the different setup options.

brando kingsun usbir3

brando kingsun usbir4

brando kingsun usbir5

I had no trouble hotsyncing via IR with a Windows PC and my Treo 650. The only issue I can comment on, is the fact that IR is quite a bit slower than using a USB cable. For example, syncing with IR took 1 minute 3 seconds, while syncing
via USB took only 8 seconds.

brando kingsun usbir8

This adapter is small enough that you should not have any problems with it interfering with other plugged in USB devices.

brando kingsun usbir7

Even though we might not think about using IR for device communication, that method is available. If your PC or notebook computer lacks an IR port, this diminutive adapter from Brando will add that capability.

 

Product Information

Price:17.0
Manufacturer:Brando USB
Requirements:
  • Windows 95,98,98SE,ME,2000 or XP
Pros:
  • Itty bitty
  • Easy to install
Cons:
  • Requires a driver installation
  • Slower than USB for PDA syncing

13 thoughts on “Kingsun USB to IrDA Adapter”




  1. Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
  2. Interesting little gadget. Thanks for the review.
    I might’ve missed it, but can you use it to print? I’ve got PrintBoy on my Palm, and it supports IR printing. Does it look like I can print with this?

  3. No, PrintBoy would require the printer to have an IR Port. I don’t think PrintBoy can interface with a PC, only with a compatible printer.

  4. I would think that not having USB 2.0 would rate as a con or is it that the speed of the IrDa itself is the limiting factor and having a faster would not improve the overall speed at all?

  5. USB 2.0 or whatever doesn’t matter, IR tops out at serial speeds, something like 232Kbps, not fast at all…however, some newer specs of IR are much faster, but still not as fast as USB 2.0, let alone USB 1.1. If you have bluetooth on your PC and device, it’s much better to use that.

  6. Julie wrote:

    onestar:

    Good question. Would you like me to send it to you and you can try it out?

    Julie

    Hmm. Given what Trophyofgrace said, I’ll pass. Thanks for the offer, tho! 🙂

  7. I have bought this, but can’t get it to work on vista, the company I bought it from told me to download the drivers from there site, which I did but I can not access them on my computer. Does anyone know where I can get the vista drivers?

  8. Need something like this that:
    1. Is not ugly
    2. Works as an MCE remote receiver (Windows already has the driver)
    3. Only lights the LED when it is receiving.

    As a receiver for a tiny media center PC, there would be no need for it to require drivers or act as a serial port. It would not need a transmitter because a basic MCE receiver is one-way (Yes, I know there are receivers with IR blaster functions…where the emitters are usually attached to the ends of detachable modular cables).

    A non-style USB IR MCE remote receiver would be perfect for these new, tiny, NVIDIA ION + Atom Media Center PCs.

Leave a Reply to J. Evans Turner Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *