Connecting GPS to Laptop

Moonshiners

Moonshiners

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Trying to connect our GPS (Garmin GPS72 H/H) to our laptop (HP XP) via USB/Serial cable adapter to NMEA on back of GPS. The GPS output is set to NMEA, i've downloaded GPS Wedge as an interface to check the GPS readings (Admiralty charts on order) -

But I keep getting a USB error message when I try to connect the GPS> "There is a problem.... Unknown USB... There may be a malfunction or missing driver" or words to that effect.

I insalled the driver that came with the adapter cable but it seems as though it still requires some kind of NMEA/GPS driver? Would make sense i also require a driver other than the adaptor cable.

or is it just an error on the current interface cable driver?

Help pleeease.

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
The USB adapter should just give you a serial port. You can then use something as basic as Hyperterminal to check the input.

You'll need to check which serial port it has given you, but once you've got hyperterminal open then just connect it using 9600baud ...
 
[ QUOTE ]
The USB adapter should just give you a serial port. You can then use something as basic as Hyperterminal to check the input.

You'll need to check which serial port it has given you, but once you've got hyperterminal open then just connect it using 9600baud ...

[/ QUOTE ]

With whim whams and zigports - thanks for the advise but english please i have a basic grasp of computers but didn't really catch what you just said.... (thanks for the reply tho) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
step 1 - make sure your gps is set to output nmea data
step 2 - plug in the gps, boot up computer
step3 - start>settings>control panel>system>hardware>device manager>ports (com and ltp)
this should show you the driver which converts your usb input into serial port. make sure it is enabled and not disabled.

step 4 - drill down into this driver (I havent got mine handy at the mo) to find which port it is converting your usb input into. then make sure your gps software is looking at the same port noty a different one.

essentially, your driver cons the pc into thinking that the usb signal is coming in via one of your non existant serial ports . to do this it has to be triggered by the presence of the gps, enabled, and then both the driver and the charting software have to shake hands on the same imaginary serial port number
 
Thanks for your resposes. What GPS software is reccomeneded, i've tried GPS wedge and windmill, but both seem to have unlinited settings, there must be an easier one?

NDH what GPS software and mapping are you using?
 
some serial to usb adaptors dont work well with GPS. make sure you get the latest driver for it.

Personally I like the adaptors from www.easysync.co.uk - especially the top quality which has leds to show data movement.
 
I have just got back from the boat having played with Garmin GPS into laptop and NMEA in and out of the other instruments.

On my maptech software you have to set the interface to 'Garmin' NOT NMEA, the software does the rest.

You must configure the port along the lines described by wotayottie.

HTH
 
The configuration of adaptor GPS72 is one I've made work with many bits of software - but not the one you mention. I have a suspicion your computer doesn't know what it got stuffed up its USB. But, as indicated by others, it may be that your software is looking on the wrong port. Most reasonably sane software will scan and find the right port.

Firstly - check whether a "help", "read_me" or something like that is available - either on the driver disk or from the web site you got it from. My cable had a detailed explanation of how to check that it was all working using hyperterminal (simply a subterfuge to send the GPS output to your screen).

It might be worth reinstalling the driver. If it tells you not to plug the cable in til you are asked to then DON't.

I have the Maptech software already mentioned: Offshore Navigator. This is not their latest offering (Chart Navigator is).

I so much prefer the way tidal information handled on Offshore Navigator that I refuse to leave it.

Although it's easiest to set it all up with NMEA as protocol, I always run it on the Garmin Protocol. I like this because it enables routes, waypoints and tracks to be transfered between GPS and the computer. This means I can build all my routes and stuff with the convenience of a nice computer interface, but once I've loaded them into the GPS I can still navigate them even if the computer goes tits up (which it has on occasion). The version of the RYA/Admiralty system that I had didn't support this download and upload so I jacked it in after a free trial. Maybe the latest version has the capability.

You can maintain all your routes in Offshore navigator. This soon got on my nerves as there's all sorts of subtle edits - like joining two routes - which are impossible. I now export all the routes and maintain them in excel (of all things!)

A cunning aspect is that I wrote a little converter in my excel system so that I can load the same routes into the Fugawi version of the Ordnance Survey maps. I claim that it's useful to be able to put the land map on the screen so that you can use land features to orient yourself, but actually it is just showing off.
 
Forgot - reminded by BigNick - in some configurations I could only get it Offshore Navigator to work on the Garmin protocol - I could get Chart Navigator to work on NMEA or Garmin. (I have been using the system through two replacements of laptop.)
 
There is a lot of confusing information here for someone who openly admits to not being a nerd.

To convert the serial output of the GPS72 into a signal that the computer operating system can handle requires a cable and a driver. The driver I use is from Prolific Software, its free and you can download it from www land. Save it to a known folder. Install it using the add/remove programs bit in control panel.

As I indicated earlier, all you need to do then is to go into device manager when the gps is connected and make sure the driver has been loaded and is enabled.

Where the Admiralty soiftware looks for its GPS input, I do not know. My program looks to the serial port so you have to make sure that this matches the serial port being used by the driver - and that all the other port settings shake hands too. You will need to check the software you buy to find out where it looks for GPS and adjust accordingly.

However, XP has its own capability of looking at GPS signals again on control panel. I havent got a GPS at home to play with but I'm sure that invoking this standard program will allow you to check the output of your gps.
 
One important point missed out here:
Always plug lead into the same USB port otherwise it will start a re-install to different port.
The common driver is Prolific as another has highlighted. It is common that the prolific driver supplied with a cable over counter is old and latest downloaded of web is advised. Hubby has a PDA lead that has a RS232 to USB adaptor cable. Was always trouble until updated driver downloaded and installed. Same cable used on handheld GPS.
 
Just purchased the excellent GlobalSat 353 GPS kit from Seachest in QAB Plymouth. Real pleased with it, likewise the chartplotting software "Passage Plus". I use a Macbook BTW.

Did find the 353 had to be already plugged in before installing driver, ditto applies whenever the kit is being started - plug the USB in before starting to run Passage Plus.

I now wish this system to show AIS - anyone any suggestions as to where I can obtain this from: Smart Radio SR161 AIS Receiver. I prefer to obtain directly from a supplier - not fond of mail order - even if I could get it for a bit less!
 
First off...

Your USB converter is not being recognised by the PC. Try plugging into a different USB port and go direct into the PC, not via USB hub.

If you hold down the windows key on the keyboard and hit "Pause Break" this will bring up your System Properties - go to hardware, device manager and look at the Ports (Com and LPT). You should see the USB adapter listed. Make sure there is no exclamation mark and if so try reinstalling driver or plug into a different usb port.

Once the USB is installed, go to Start, Programs, Accessories, Communications, Hyperterminal.
Type in any name you want for the connection, select the COM port in the drop down box, on the next page set the baud rate to 4800 and hit ok.

The main HT window should now fill with NMEA sentences. If not then you haven't the wires connected correctly. Make sure you are using the Tx or NMEA output of your GPS and the Ground.

Now you have the data coming in, try using "Software on Board" which is free for the first few months trial. After opening SOB, it may find the GPS automatically but if not, double click anywhere on the chart and this will display your hardware config for SOB. Select the correct COM port and hit open. You should see a small hyperterminal type window on this page which shows the data coming in.

Hope this helps
 
Thanks guys, still waiting for my admiralty charts, so don't know how they work specifically, but with all the info above i'm sure I can get it figured out now.

See all this computer stuff isn't as hard as they say...

Plug and play my @rse!
 
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