Suitable USB adapters for IBM Model M?

[spremino]

[EDIT: It seems that the safest route is to buy a "Blue Cube" plus a short USB cable.]

I am looking for an USB adapter for an IBM Model M.  I know about the "Blue Cube" by Ziotek, but because of its dimensions, it might not fit in my laptop and in crowded USB hubs.  Therefore I am looking for an alternative, preferably available in my country (Italy).  Of the following adapters, is any known to work flawlessly with an IBM Model M?  Suggestions for other alternatives are also welcome.  Thanks.

https://www.amazon.it/Heroneo-Convertitore-Adattatore-convertitore-tastiera/dp/B00KAOHC20

https://www.amazon.it/Perixx-PERIPRO-401-PS2-USB-adattatore/dp/B008DFVQFW

https://www.amazon.it/Startech-Com-Adattatore-Tastiera-Femmina-Antracite/dp/B00028OP2Y

https://www.amazon.it/Delock-Adattatore-USB-PS-2/dp/B0009M1L0M

[raymogi]

The first one works for sure.

I like this one too for simplicity: http://techkeys.us/products/usb-to-ps2-serial-multimode-adapter

[spremino]

I like this one too for simplicity: http://techkeys.us/products/usb-to-ps2-serial-multimode-adapter

I would like a similar one as well, but I couldn't find any.

[mike52787]

https://www.amazon.com/SANOXY-PS2-Keyboard-USB-Adapter/dp/B000BSJFJS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466088456&
This one has always worked for me.

[spremino]

It seems that the safest route is to buy a "Blue Cube" plus a short USB cable.

[E TwentyNine]

The first one works for sure.

There's nothing certain with the cheap Y adapters, especially when it comes to laptops which tend to be more finicky.

I'll second the idea of a bluecube and a short USB (which is what I use on my laptop).

You may want to roll the dice with a cheapo, you might get by fine.

[klennkellon]

The Blue Cube one is finnicky, straight from PS2 it works fine but when I try to convert AT > PS2 > USB it does not work properly and makes the keyboard entirely unusable.

[E TwentyNine]

The Blue Cube one is finnicky, straight from PS2 it works fine but when I try to convert AT > PS2 > USB it does not work properly and makes the keyboard entirely unusable.

AT>PS2 is just straight wiring, shouldn't impact the cube at all.  I've never had an instance where a bluecube didn't work for me and I've been using them almost since they were first available, on multiple different hardware.

[1391406]

The Blue Cube one is finnicky, straight from PS2 it works fine but when I try to convert AT > PS2 > USB it does not work properly and makes the keyboard entirely unusable.

AT>PS2 is just straight wiring, shouldn't impact the cube at all.  I've never had an instance where a bluecube didn't work for me and I've been using them almost since they were first available, on multiple different hardware.

Agreed.

[mike52787]

Blue cube has never failed me, even with a ps2 to at adapter. Maybe your adapter is bad.

[Bucake]

orihalcon (Soarer) cable
SDL to USB, fully programmable
downside = expensive ($40 iirc)

you can find them on ebay

edit: it makes the keyboard hot-swappable too, eliminating that downside of PS/2.
elegant as Hypersphere put it, suits it

[Hypersphere]

orihalcon cable
SDL to USB, fully programmable
downside = expensive ($40 iirc)

you can find them on ebay

I can vouch for the Orihalcon cable as well. It is an elegant solution. I use one with my IBM SSK, and it works perfectly.

[1391406]

If you just want something plug and play, go with the Blue Cube. If you need something programmable, go with the $40 solution.

[Leslieann]

There is a guide online on mounting the guts of the blue cube inside the Model M.
This way no adapters show, no extra cables, etc... Just a clean setup.

Link
http://zevv.nl/play/misc/ibm-usb/

[SBJ]

Where do you go about finding a blue cube? My google-fu not strong enough.

[1391406]

Where do you go about finding a blue cube? My google-fu not strong enough.

You can find them for $10.37 on Amazon, as posted above, or slightly less at Newegg.

[spremino]

There is a guide online on mounting the guts of the blue cube inside the Model M.
This way no adapters show, no extra cables, etc... Just a clean setup.

Link
http://zevv.nl/play/misc/ibm-usb/

This looks interesting, and something that I could attempt.  However:
- the adapter does not look firmly kept in place by what the author calls "creative soldering";
- one comment states that the mod didn't work on a 1993 model.

[1391406]

the adapter does not look firmly kept in place by what the author calls "creative soldering";

A product called Sugru will work.

[mike52787]

Where do you go about finding a blue cube? My google-fu not strong enough.

I linked it on amazon a few posts up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Leslieann]

the adapter does not look firmly kept in place by what the author calls "creative soldering";

A product called Sugru will work.

Hot goue as well.
There's lot's of ways to secure it, I used a few extra solder posts.

[rowdy]

The first one works for sure.

I like this one too for simplicity: http://techkeys.us/products/usb-to-ps2-serial-multimode-adapter

I can vouch for this one too - it work to get all sorts of keyboards working on various computers including my Mac.

I also have an orihalcon SDL to USB cable which is absolutely rock solid (using it with a full size Model M to type this via my Mac).

[odysseusgiacosa]

Hi guys.

Sorry to resurrect this old thread. I have three IBM Model M keyboards (p/n 1391401) and two PCs equipped with Asus Z97-K motherboards. I can (sadly) confirm that the Blue Cube doesn't work with these particular motherboards, and I wonder if this is the case with other Asus boards. I remember Soarer had developed an adaptor cable, but I never got around to buying one from him. Does anyone have any experience with these particular (and later) Asus boards and Soarer's SDL to USB cable?

Thank you.

[Tactile]

Hi guys.

Sorry to resurrect this old thread. I have three IBM Model M keyboards (p/n 1391401) and two PCs equipped with Asus Z97-K motherboards. I can (sadly) confirm that the Blue Cube doesn't work with these particular motherboards, and I wonder if this is the case with other Asus boards. I remember Soarer had developed an adaptor cable, but I never got around to buying one from him. Does anyone have any experience with these particular (and later) Asus boards and Soarer's SDL to USB cable?

Thank you.

Have a look at this.

[ander]

[EDIT: It seems that the safest route is to buy a "Blue Cube" plus a short USB cable.]

I am looking for an USB adapter for an IBM Model M...

Sorry, but I must absolutely disagree! There are several reasons to get one of these cable-type keyboard/mouse converters instead:

• They work with more types of keyboards than Blue Cubes. (I can tell you this from personal experience.)

• They don't block the adjacent USB port, like Blue Cubes can with their goofy space-hogging design.

• They're cheaper—you can often get them for under $2 shipped, while Blue Cubes are typically $10 or more.

• You can convert a PS/2 mouse at the same time (though that's optional).

If you know that a Model M will be absolutely the only PS/2 keyboard you'll want to convert to USB, you can get a Blue Cube, and it'll work—if you don't mind spending more than you have to, and (probably) blocking one of your other USB ports.

Otherwise, trust me—get the cable type. Here's a handy search link you can use to see a selection of them on eBay, arranged from lowest price to highest.

BTW, though "adapter" and "converter" are often used interchangeably, they actually have specific meanings:

• An adapter just changes a connector's shape. It contains only wires, connecting one type of plug to another.

• A converter is an adapter that also contains electronics that convert one signal protocol to another (e.g. PS/2 to USB).

Happy converting!

[1391406]

Sorry, but I must absolutely disagree! There are several reasons to get one of these cable-type keyboard/mouse converters instead

As mentioned on Clickykeyboards, most of those are cheap adapters, not converters.

[E TwentyNine]

Hi guys.

Sorry to resurrect this old thread. I have three IBM Model M keyboards (p/n 1391401) and two PCs equipped with Asus Z97-K motherboards. I can (sadly) confirm that the Blue Cube doesn't work with these particular motherboards, and I wonder if this is the case with other Asus boards. I remember Soarer had developed an adaptor cable, but I never got around to buying one from him. Does anyone have any experience with these particular (and later) Asus boards and Soarer's SDL to USB cable?

Thank you.

Have a look at this.

orihalcon has a slightly more economic option that doesn't have soarer's functionality:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-PS2-to-USB-Adapter-Converter-Keyboard-Barcode-Scanner-IBM-Model-M-PS-2-/280839328798

[ander]

Sorry, but I must absolutely disagree! There are several reasons to get one of these cable-type keyboard/mouse converters instead

As mentioned on Clickykeyboards, most of those are cheap adapters, not converters.

Nope! I'm a technical writer, dude; I know the difference between an adapter and a converter.

You'll notice the cable-type keyboard/mouse converters I linked to above have an electronic module in the middle that converts the signal—otherwise you'd see just straight cabling there. I've bought many of these for friends as well as myself, and they work great.

Maybe you just assumed that because they're so inexpensive, they had to be non-active adapters. Nope again! They're just a particularly good deal; that's why I've bothered to post about them here. (I've no doubt CK would prefer people buy their $16 KB-only converters to do the same thing [grin], but it's not necessary.)

[1391406]

Sorry, but I must absolutely disagree! There are several reasons to get one of these cable-type keyboard/mouse converters instead

As mentioned on Clickykeyboards, most of those are cheap adapters, not converters.

Nope! I'm a technical writer, dude; I know the difference between an adapter and a converter.

I could care less if you graduated from MIT. The fact is, a lot of people who've tried the cheaper variety have reported issues getting them to work over the years. The Bluecube costs a bit more but has a long history of just working. I found that to be true in my case, as well.

Maybe you just assumed that because they're so inexpensive, they had to be non-active adapters. Nope again! They're just a particularly good deal; that's why I've bothered to post about them here. (I've no doubt CK would prefer people buy their $16 KB-only converters to do the same thing [grin], but it's not necessary.)

I could really care less how cheap they are assuming they had a fairly consistent track record. Then again, if you're worried about spending $10 or $12 bucks for a quality component, you're probably in the wrong hobby anyway. The fact is, the cheaper variety simply do not work consistently. Further, Clickykeyboard's doesn't buy in large enough quantities to receive a discount on the Bluecube's they sell, so why would you or anyone else expect them to sell them at cost? No one's forcing anyone to buy them from CK, either.

[fohat.digs]

The cheap-o "Y" type have never failed to work for me.

I would get a high-end one if I needed it, though. Personally, I never understood why the Blue Cube is built in such an irritating configuration.

[1391406]

I never understood why the Blue Cube is built in such an irritating configuration.

The equivalent of a wall wart.

[antquinonez]

I use a Monoprice.
https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Keyboard-Converter-Adapter-110934/dp/B00IACID2C

Buy from Amazon, fulfilled by Amazon, don't put up with delayed key output, sometimes yes, sometimes no...

[ander]

Sorry, but I must absolutely disagree! There are several reasons to get one of these cable-type keyboard/mouse converters instead

As mentioned on Clickykeyboards, most of those are cheap adapters, not converters.

Nope! I'm a technical writer, dude; I know the difference between an adapter and a converter.

I could care less if you graduated from MIT. The fact is, a lot of people who've tried the cheaper variety have reported issues getting them to work over the years. The Bluecube costs a bit more but has a long history of just working. I found that to be true in my case, as well.

Maybe you just assumed that because they're so inexpensive, they had to be non-active adapters. Nope again! They're just a particularly good deal; that's why I've bothered to post about them here. (I've no doubt CK would prefer people buy their $16 KB-only converters to do the same thing [grin], but it's not necessary.)

I could really care less how cheap they are assuming they had a fairly consistent track record. Then again, if you're worried about spending $10 or $12 bucks for a quality component, you're probably in the wrong hobby anyway. The fact is, the cheaper variety simply do not work consistently. Further, Clickykeyboard's doesn't buy in large enough quantities to receive a discount on the Bluecube's they sell, so why would you or anyone else expect them to sell them at cost? No one's forcing anyone to buy them from CK, either.

Dude, you needn't be so defensive... You're free to do whatever you wish. I was simply contributing my experience—having used, and been pleased with, more of these converters than I can remember.

As far as I know, we're here not to lambast one another for sharing what we consider useful tips, but to try to advise and help and enjoy discussing KB stuff. (And no, I don't see any harm in mentioning one's technical background when discussing technical things—for example, to dispel the notion that one's naive about the diff between two basic types of devices.)

If you want to spend more on converters, that's great, knock yourself out. It certainly doesn't cost much to try one of these inexpensive ones, though.

And frankly, a $2–3 part doesn't seem worth all this controversy and fuss. But of course the Drumpf Age is upon us... It may now be stylish to become belligerent over even the smallest matters.  :?D

[ander]

I could care less if you graduated from MIT...

BTW, I think you meant you "couldn't care less". (If you could care less, you do care, as you could care less about it than you do.)

I'm not sure why people started using that phrase incompletely; it was probably just misheard and repeated that way.

In case you crave extra detail (you know how we KB peeps are into detail), here's a short video about it at Merriam-Webster's site. It's presented by a babe with purple hair. Personally, I couldn't care less what colour her hair was, but there you go.

[1391406]

I could care less if you graduated from MIT...

BTW, I think you meant you "couldn't care less". (If you could care less, you do care, as you could care less about it than you do.)

Actually, it's either / or, though caring less implies there was initially some degree of caring whereas 'couldn't care less' implies you literally cannot care any less. In this particular usage, I personally don't care whether you're a technical writer, and I could care less whether you graduated from MIT.

[1391406]

You're free to do whatever you wish. I was simply contributing my experience—having used, and been pleased with, more of these converters than I can remember.

If all you wanted to do was relate your experience, you could've left it at "these have worked great for me and my friends". Rather, you made it sound like anyone who buys a Bluecube is basically overspending when, in essence, the cheaper alternatives work just as effectively. The fact is, most people who experience issues using an adapter in conjunction with their Model M are generally using one of those cheap alternatives. Rarely have I seen a post from someone who had an issue with a Bluecube.

As far as I know, we're here not to lambast

You mean lambaste? Anyway, lambaste means to attack verbally. No one's attacking you, though someone who's overly sensitive about anyone challenging their assertions might think so, I suppose.

If you want to spend more on converters, that's great, knock yourself out. It certainly doesn't cost much to try one of these inexpensive ones, though.

Like I said, the Bluecube has a track record of just working. The cheaper alternatives don't. If someone wants to spend a few bucks and the time waiting to try out the cheaper alternatives, more power to them. I'd rather be safe than sorry, but that's me. I mean, we're talking about a difference of $7. Whoop-de-doo.

And frankly, a $2–3 part doesn't seem worth all this controversy and fuss. But of course the Drumpf Age is upon us... It may now be stylish to become belligerent over even the smallest matters.  :?D

No one's twisting your arm to reply to what you deem trivial.

[rowdy]

The cheap-o "Y" type have never failed to work for me.

I would get a high-end one if I needed it, though. Personally, I never understood why the Blue Cube is built in such an irritating configuration.

Blue Cube + 10cm USB extension cable?

[leech]

[EDIT: It seems that the safest route is to buy a "Blue Cube" plus a short USB cable.]

Those listed cable-based converters have a PCB with chip inside, are therefore active adapters (also called 'converters') and should work just fine on some systems. It is also the same product which the famous big German company "LogiLink" decided to adopt in their catalog. They cost 0.79US$ shipped if ordered from Aliexpress or 1.00EUR on ebay. Some buyers in the AX Feedback section actually refer to the Model M and report that these inexpensive active adapters do work on their PC system; so before pulling the trigger on AX, the buyer should check the Feedback section of the AX item. It is no guarantee, though, that the AX item will work on your PC system, too! In any case the build quality is cheap/poor, since the cables are not really fixed/glued into place, and if you need the PS/2 KEYBOARD cable connector only, the unused PS/2 MOUSE cable connector will be dangling around with its weight and bulk:



The Blue Cube is also a generic active adapter designed engineered manufactured in the chinas and a much less common item on ebay, Aliexpress, etc nowadays. In Europe the only distributor is Compustar and they sell it for GBP4.75 which is a nice price. Of course, feel free to pay 16.00US$ plus shipping to get it from a US source. The PCB looks simple.

I ordered an even less common adapter for EUR2.99 instead. The ebay item title says Fujitsu, aha:

I will be very satisfied if it works well and on all of my systems (Win7, WinXP, raspi) and if the build quality is decent. I could place the item flat on the floor or on the PC case. I have no doubt that the item has a PCB and chipset inside too, thus being an active adapter. For sure it is the bulkiest PS/2-to-USB adapter on the market but i also expect a nicer make than the Blue Cube or the generic cable ones.

I will test and report, stay tuned.

Btw my 2966 PC is old and does have a PS/2 port, so i don't need an adapter for my ~1999 Model M PS/2, but i am a sucker for accessories or good quality stuff.

[matt-taco]

Hasu makes a TMK firmware compliant converter for mini-di (ps/2) and other odd connectors. Second best to an xwhatsit, of which you can only add to Fs, M SSKs and Wheelwriters.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=72052.0

I've had an old blue cube that failed after 4 years. The blue cube quite an old boi, many of the newer converters are just better in most ways. This works fine too if the other prices you out.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/White-Dual-PS2-Female-to-USB-Male-Converter-Adaptor-Cable-F-M-for-Mouse-Keyboard/351998148114?hash=item51f4b97e12:g:kbsAAOSwCU1YvMpR

[Azmodan]

I am using this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Signal-PS2-Keyboard-Adapter/dp/B00T4AGS08/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1509308949&sr=8-4&keywords=ps2+to+usb+converter for two model Ms I have and never had an issue.

Unfortunately it is bulky and it can hide other USB ports, but I use it with USB extensions for cable management purposes.

[1391406]

Many buyers in the AX Feedback section actually refer to the Model M and report that these inexpensive active adapters do work.

Many Model M users on GH have reported issues using cheap adapters. Few have had a problem using the Blue Cube.

[Leslieann]

Cheap adapters rarely work because they don't pass along enough current to the keyboard, nothing since the early 90's has needed that much power. This is also why ps2 ports on motherboards may not be capable of running a Model M as well.

A work around is to use the power wires off an old usb cable to actually power the keyboard as even USB 1.0 has twice the power of most modern ps2 ports, which already can pass more power than many of the cheap adapters.

[klennkellon]

I've used my blue-cube on several keyboards and never had issues.

I'm also using a very cheap but also relatively new LGA 1151 motherboard and the PS/2 port has worked with every keyboard I've thrown at it including a Model M.

[SamirD]

I recently needed to get an adapter in a pinch and got the startech USBPS2PC after reading several reviews on amazon from M owners that had zero issues with this even after having issues with other adapters.  It worked fine not only with my M, but also the M2.  It's not the cheapest, but CDW had it in stock for pickup same day.

[leech]

today i got the (apparently active) adapter and it works beautifully with my tested systems: raspi, Win7, and WinXP. No need to install drivers, all 3 test systems were able to recognize the adapter plus the PS/2 keyboard automatically On the raspi, i had to reboot the system. The Win systems were plug'n play. Wonderful.

The adapter came shipped as bulkware in a ziplock bag including a multilingual instruction manual booklet(!). The small professional/commercial looking label sticker on the bag says "Fujitsu Siemens Computers (FSC)" as does the invoice, but there is no such labeling or branding on the product itself:


That sticker and the product sticker on the bottom refer the number S26391-F5100-V100, which seems to be the official manufacturer's product number. It is unclear whether FSC is the original designer and manufacturer of this product and created this product code or FSC acts only as importer/distributor/trading company for the item which could be designed and mass-manufactured by some noname Chinese or Japanese backyard factory ) . In any case, googling the number leads to the PDF datasheet issued by another vendor in gemani who sells it for 5.95€ plus shipping.
 


With the help of the USB doctor we are learning that my 1999 model m keeb draws 0.10A in standby, 0.11A when the user does happy hacking, and additional 0.02A for each keeb LED: when NumLk CapsLk ScrollLk are all on, the keeb draws a total of up to 0.17A or 170 milliamps through the USB channel. I don't know if 1984 model m keebs draw the same max amount of current. A modern mechanical keeb, e.g. the A-JAZZ or iKBC line of mkb's, certainly draws more current from the USB channel to power all the RGB lighting effects etc.



The build quality is not bad. It is decent, nice, and nothing extraordinary. The plastic material and construction feels sturdy as imagined. The total weight of the product, i.e. adapter plus its fixed attached USB cable, is 56g, with most of this weight originating from the thick high-quality USB cable.



Since there was that label sticker already available from the plastic bag, it inspired me to act geeky and cut out 2 stickers. One for the top face of the adapter:



And one for the bottom side of the adapter:



Lol, i don't have thin powerful double-sided 3267 adhesive tape in the household. So i am trying liquid glue instead, probably with a FAIL, i'll check tomorrow. In any case, this buy for 2.99EUR shipped was a WIN, no doubt. The postage on the padded shipping envelope was 2.60EUR (Deutsche Post Maxi Brief), so he earned 39cents yes? 

At first, i was thinking about the PS/2-to-USB mod but since my FSC adapter is so nice and I want to keep the PS/2 plug for my other PS/2 PC systems, I am not going to do the mod. My keeb has an original thick PS/2 cable and i would feel silly to cut it off for an unnecessary mod. I prefer to keeb my treasured collection items in original and pristine condition anyway. Also keebs the resale value up. The guy in the video is modding a June 1998 IBM UK Model M; my unit is basically the same, produced half a year later than his. Both glorious fresh Model M makes!!

 

[SamirD]

Thank you for the awesome review on the converter!

I couldn't seem to find it on the US ebay site. 

[leech]

oh thanks for the kindness!

sheeet .. looks like that vendor sells it for EUR1.99 only on amazon gemani incl. FREE national shipping, my bad. A 2-pack set costs EUR3.98 shipped, which makes sense. On ebayDOTde that same vendor doesn't ship to many countries, he excluded most destination countries.

i mean, even if the FSC adapter is a serious or superior build (which i think it is btw), it wouldn't make much sense to get it shipped from gemani (shipping cost 3.70EUR min.), simply because guaranteed working active adapters, such as the Blue Cube, are available on Ebay International with unrestricted shipping destinations.

How many pcs would you want and what's your destination country? If you really/urgently want this particular item for some good reason  , maybe i could order it with your money and then receive'n forward the package to your given address. i wouldn't mind helping out a fellow keeb geek  )

Have you tried the 0.79US$ AX adapter? Looks like an active adapter but may still be inferior to the FSC adapter. If total cost matters, i'd try the AX adapter first, before looking for other offers. If i lived in the great britain, i would have bought the Blue Cube and not the FSC adapter.

[rich1051414]

From what I have seen, the Y adapters work great on keyboards with a very limited rollover. However, they will absolutely bug out if the keyboard can successfully register too many keystrokes. The y adapters should work fine on model M's since they don't have a ton of rollover in the first place.

[SamirD]

oh thanks for the kindness!

sheeet .. looks like that vendor sells it for EUR1.99 only on amazon gemani incl. FREE national shipping, my bad. A 2-pack set costs EUR3.98 shipped, which makes sense. On ebayDOTde that same vendor doesn't ship to many countries, he excluded most destination countries.

i mean, even if the FSC adapter is a serious or superior build (which i think it is btw), it wouldn't make much sense to get it shipped from gemani (shipping cost 3.70EUR min.), simply because guaranteed working active adapters, such as the Blue Cube, are available on Ebay International with unrestricted shipping destinations.

How many pcs would you want and what's your destination country? If you really/urgently want this particular item for some good reason  , maybe i could order it with your money and then receive'n forward the package to your given address. i wouldn't mind helping out a fellow keeb geek  )

Have you tried the 0.79US$ AX adapter? Looks like an active adapter but may still be inferior to the FSC adapter. If total cost matters, i'd try the AX adapter first, before looking for other offers. If i lived in the great britain, i would have bought the Blue Cube and not the FSC adapter.

I don't need it for sure as I have 3 converters of 3 different types now that do work.  But as you know with keyboards--always nice to have one more.

It would be interesting to see if there's enough interest here to do a group buy because that would be pretty cheap to get and then send via dhl to the US for distribution here or direct from there via post.

I don't have much faith in the 'direct-from-china' goods as they are trying to eek out as much profit as possible and know they don't have to support the product, which is the opposite of a quality product that a company will stand behind 100%.  Sometimes it can be worth it, but other times it's just a failure waiting to happen when you need it to work.

[leech]

I guess my offer to help stands. A 500g letter to the US would cost 3.70eur postage afaik, 1 FSC adapter costs 1.3eur\pc if I order a pack of 5pcs at once. Registered Letter (tracking number) would be additional 2eur. DHL would be too expensive, like 16eur for 2000g parcel. Fujitsu is a Japanese company but FujitsuSiemensComputers has its main activities in gemani. I could call them and ask which factory (where) that adapter was manufactured in.

[SamirD]

So that's not too bad as it would be about 5eur per adapter?  Still cheaper than a lot of the options stateside and very competitive.  I'd make a thread in the group buys section and see if you can get 4 more interested--because you have one interested.