Evermore USB GPS - Urgent!

[Wandering Star]

This wll be my last post asking for help before I depart Bermuda on Monday.

I just bought a new Evermore GM-R900 USB type GPS to use with my laptop. I've loaded the drivers etc and I'm trying to test the stupid thing (outside). The test programs use option "set" to select the COM port in use - well I don't know what COM port I'm using, how do I identify which one it is assuming my USB is a COM port to start with which of course it may not be?

Nevertheless, as a result of not knowing which COM port the GPS is plugged into, I've tried selecting all the COM's they list from 1 - 9 and I still don't get feedback from the GPS to any of them. For instance if I select COM 1 to test and then go to the satellite view option, the display doesn't show any signal from any satellite even if I leave it for 5 minutes - ditto all the rest!

It's a well know fact I'm a complete d*ickhead but I really don't see what I'm doing wrong, does anyone have any experience of setting up the Evermore GPS receiver, I purchased this from Force4 and it's the only one they do so possibly someone here is using one? I'd really appreciate some fast help! I'll be flying tomorrow but I'll have access to the internet up to Monday evening.

Cheers, Brian.

 

[lw395]

If you go into hyperterminal under all programs/accessories/communications in the start menu, then go through the 'set up connection' routine (it will ask for an area code, just make something up), it will offer options under 'connect using'. This will show all your comm ports, plus tcp/ip, modem etc.
If you connect to the gps you may see data, but at least it should tell you where to look.

 

[Richard10002]

I usually look in Device Manager and find out what Com Port is being used in either the USB section or, the Ports (Com & Lpt) section

e.g. in the Ports (Com & Lpt) section, I can see that I am using a Nokia N95 USB on Com 7. I'm pretty sure that is where I can reset the Com Port my GPS uses - Thinking about it, the way you asked the question suggests that you know all this.

What software are you using to see the GPS position. In SOB, I think I have to set the Com Port it is looking at, and the software only allows the use of certain com ports - which is why I sometimes need to change the Com Port the GPS USB thing is using.

So, even if Hyperterminal tells you you are receiving data, which is good, the answer might be in the software somewhere.

You'll be up all night trying to make this work /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Refueler]

Richard is on right track - Device Manager is the way to go ...

Please try following :

1) Plug in GPS (ALWAYS use same port that it's installed on).
2) Right click on My Computer
3) Left click <Properties>
4) Left Click "Hardware" tab
5) Click "Device Manager"
6) Click on + sign at Ports (COM & LPT) - this expands that group and you can see all connections with Com port number beside.
7) Look for GPS name or possibly Prolific ... to confirm this is correct item - UNPLUG the GPS ... the Device Manager box will blank and refresh .. open up Ports (COM & LPT) again and 1 entry will be missing. Plug GPS back in again and it re-appears ...
8) Note Com Port number.

The above assumes you are running XP of course ...

Reason you MUST plug into same USB port each time ... it will pick up installation without altering Com Port number. Connect to a different port and it will install all over again to a different Com Port !! Why ? Because they are virtual ports, not physical that you set-up in the software.

If you find the port assigned to your item is not supported in the software - then you'll have to change that to manual assigned in it's properties.

Good luck.

 

[Wandering Star]

Thanks to everyone - no Richard, when you say it seems like I already know that, you're wrong , I know nothing and was just fiddling in the dark!

There's enough on here to allow me to have another more educated attempt after I reach Bermuda, I'm sure with all the above advice I'll manage to get it working. Thanks Guys.

Cheers, Brian.

 

[Refueler]

Contrary to most people - I do not advise use of Hyperterminal - It's a last resort item IMHO.

The software you are using for charting will soon tell you when it gets GPS data - most will flick up a box telling you it is or it is not ! The software usually has it's own data stream display as well.

Make sure PC software is set to NMEA and not some other such as Garmin Protocol ... I would assume the GPS Mouse is proprietary.