didn't know where else to ask.

[waterboy]

Any one have any experience with USB to HART modems. There are multple choices, E&H, SMAR, and others. I need one that works for all and the software to go with it. I would like a PC version of the software but PocketPC would also be a nice addition. I use a 275 now like most people, but I prefer the abillty to store setups and just simply prefer to work with a laptop. I would sure like your opinions.

[andybr]

I have used an E&H Commubox for years and it works fine without any special software or other needs. The PC connection is RS232 rather than USB however. Andybr

[Ken Moore]

I got the one I use through Emerson, but they don't make it, it's some other mfg. just re-labelled. I don't know the true brand. I would google usb hart modems and go from there. The one I have from Emerson works with everything I ever hooked it up to, so any working model should be okay.

[waterboy]

I did the google and there are a few out there! Most around $3-$400. And then theres software... I imagine that each manf has thier own for thier own stuff (E&H's ToF etc) but I would prefer a single software for all uses. (wouldn't we all!) I looked at SMAR DDCON 100 which for the price looks like a nice package (It includes a modem) but it like most others needs a subscription to DDL drivers to stay current. We wouldn't be changing hardware much so the subscription may not be necessary, but if the DDL is also a standardized file format, wouldn't the manf provide a file that every software package would be able to import? Does all/any software work like that or are we tied to that particular software package for life?

[Ken Moore]

You can access "standard" HART parameter on just about any device. BUT, to get to the non-standard items you need the specialized files. I've been using this software for basic access: http://www.microflx.com/HART_Software_Links.htm They sell modems also, not sure of the pricing.

[waterboy]

Thanks Ken and andybr, If anyone else has an opinion please chime in.

[andybr]

Endress and Hauser have a DTM library which will work with Pactware (as recommended by Ken) available as a free download on their website. Go to www.Endress.com and search for DTM. Please note that it is a very large download so a fast connection is recommended. Andybr

[DanW]

Mactek Viator USB-Hart modems work well http://www.mactekcorp.com/ I like the utility that Mactek includes that tests the HART connection by reading the PV on one second intervals. If there's no PV, there's something wrong with the connection. Dan

[waterboy]

How do you feel about the siemens software that they offer? I didn't see much about it there. \What software do you use? I'm also concerned about getting spiked with update costs, some are just silly about what they charge for those updates.

[DanW]

I forgot, the Mactek HART modem is what Siemens private labels and sells. And to re-iterate, the Mactek Viator HART modem is a great product. No problems. I tried 2 east European knock-offs and it cost me about $30 each to return them when they wouldn't work or install properly. Smar's modem is probably good, too (Jonas writes the book on Fieldbus, I get the impression he doesn't tolerate junk.). But the Modem is an entirely separate issue from Siemens PDM HART program for Windows. I use Siemens' PDM because - I managed to get it to work (with a great deal of frustration and hair tearing) - it's only $75 USD so I can afford the single point version, a fraction of the 275/375 ordeal. - A setup can be saved for future reference, documentation, or editing. But, there are serious trade-offs for the cheap price. PDM is not without its limitations and weirdness. If there is any documentation for PDM, I can't locate it. Installation requires a huge amount disk space, because PDM is part and parcel of Siemen's 'manager' (?name? I can't recall the program's name) program. So installation requires about 1/2 hour of CD reads and disk writes for what is probably a 5Mb program, because everything else has to be installed, too. It comes with a single page of single spaced typed installation instructions and if you don't follow the instructions to the letter, you lose. It uses the notorius Siemens floppy disk key. Once installed it never asks for the key again, but I lost one PDM license in a laptop hard drive failure on March 23 of this year. If I needed the multipoint license ($400+), I'd have to think twice about the prospect of losing the license due to a failed PC. SIemens licensing is like Windows: fork over. When Siemens went from the previous version to the current version it was "buy a new version". No upgrade path, no discount, start over. The database of configs might have been transferrable, but none of the program of cost of the previous program. The functioning and operation of PDM is Teutonic to the core: rigid (the Russians stationed in East Germany during the cold war called the Germans Oak heads). Germans expect everyone who uses their stuff to spend 2 weeks at some special, high intensity course in order to learn how to run it and to become a specialist at it. For instance, the connection routine is intensely anti-intuitive and just plain obscure and esoteric. I keep notes on how to do it and have to refer to them each time I fire it up. I heard the rumor that there's a quick connect routine (buzzword name I can't recall), but no one seems to know how to implement it. The HART part of PDM is generally intuitive, assuming you know what you're looking for in instrumentation terms. The PDM version I got supposedly came with all current DD's at the time of issue. I didn't find any missing. However, it is not clear how one would update any none-Siemens HART device. Contrary to general opinion, DD's are not available from the HART foundation web site. A huge list of HART authorized DD's is available, but not the DD itself. There are DD's on the web site for newly released Siemens products, but I've never had to install one of the DD's. I assume that there is a means for doing so. But how one would install a DD for a Rosemount supersmartwidget into PDM I have no idea. Siemens could not provide updated an DD for a newly introduced Siemens radar level gauge and it ended up back at the factory for configuration. But that's part of new product introductions, someone has to bear the brunt of field debugging of new devices. I haven't put one of those in since, so I don't know if they fixed the DD or not. I've been told that there has been an incremental update to PDM, but I haven't rushed out to fight its installation yet. For all PDM's drawbacks, it does a decent job of HART configuration once it's connected and for models that are mature and in the HART database, and as long as your hard drive is functional. And there's a config that can be saved and referenced. Dan

[waterboy]

Thank you for the pretty complete review. I appreciate that. It sounds like the PDM I should stay clear of. From reading what I could find online I came to a similar impression that the PDM is HUGE and only a small portion of it is what I would use it for. The price I saw for PDM 6.0 was $600 on the MacTek site so with that and the modem I am on par with most other packages I am looking at, DDCON from Smar being the front runner at the moment. DDCON is just inder $1000 with the modem. However according to tech support, the license for the software is internal to the modem so I'm not sure the modem would work on any other software, but I am fairly certain that any other modem wouldn't work with their software. Also unclear about the update cost. Devcom2000 is next at $700 plus a modem but needs a $100 yr subscription to stay current with devices. OpenFieldCommunications is at the other end with a VERY expensive product. All I want is a generic USB modem and software that works with everything. Is that asking too much?

[DanW]

The single point PDM is less than $100, but you might have to buy it from a Siemens distributor, rather than a reseller like Mactek. But you do have a add the cost of the HART modem, too. Dan

[waterboy]

Ahh, I see what you mean. thanks again.