I want to record serial data - binary data streams coming out of a GPS receiver on a RS2323 line at 4800 or 9600 baud 8N1 - in the field. I want something battery powered that can do this for hours, and not be too big or expensive. Later I want to move these data to a PC (which I wouldn’t mind doing over the same serial data link if nothing faster is there). Sometimes I also want to record text data, which are pretty much the same (except things like text files always contain some CRLFs and generally no FF and binary files can’t use software XON/XOFF).
A laptop computer works OK but batteries don’t last long enough, and they’re very big and expensive and delicate for this job.
What devices are capable of doing this? Someone told me “Palm” brand devices are, but I can’t see that yet on their web site. Are they? What else can do it?