StarTech.com 10ft (3m) USB to Null Modem Serial Adapter Cable, Interchangeable DB9 Screws/Nuts, COM Retention, USB-A to RS232, FTDI, Level-4 ESD Protection, Windows/macOS/ChromeOS/Linux - Rugged TPE Construction

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

This is the kind of USB-to-serial lead that’s actually worth paying for if you’ve got real work to do with older kit. The FTDI chipset and the “COM retention” bit matter more than people think: it reduces the usual faff where device drivers remap your COM port every time you plug into a different USB slot. At £33.94 ex-VAT for a 3m cable, it’s priced like a dependable adapter, not a disposable one—so it’s a decent value for IT shops that need predictable connectivity for barcode scanners, network gear consoles, UPS monitoring, POS peripherals, or any lab/industrial controller that still lives on RS232.

Who should buy it: teams with mixed Windows/Linux/macOS environments, or anyone who hates chasing COM port changes and driver weirdness. The rugged TPE jacket is a genuine plus in offices that treat cables like tools (cable gets moved, it gets bent around racks, it lives on the bench). Who should think twice: if you only need a one-off console connection occasionally, you might not notice the COM retention benefits and you could find cheaper generic USB–RS232 leads—though you’ll be rolling the dice on stability. If you’re dealing with RS485 or you need power/level shifting for special signalling, this won’t be the right tool, so make sure your “null modem” requirement matches what your equipment expects.