Preferred Dead Strip Hookup

Hello:

I'm going to use dead strips for car detection. What is the preferred method for connecting to the computer?

Not use the pararell port , the best is to connect sensor to a Phidget interface :

http://www.pclapcounter.be/phidget_interface.html

Some schema here:
https://pclapcounter.forumotion.com/phidgets-interface-kit-f14/schema-to-connect-detector-to-phidget-0-16-16-t265.htm

Main Line Hobbies propose Phidget interface + PCLC : https://pclapcounter.forumotion.com/phidgets-interface-kit-f14/phidget-interface-ds-bridge-pclc-by-main-line-hobbies-t221.htm

I'm not sure I can afford $350. Why not use the parallel port?

LPT or Parallel Ports are very different from PC to PC, and react very differently between PC. This is why we moved away from Parallel development (2 Years and no product that was reliable) to USB/Phidgets (from blank sheet to final product in 2 months)