Garmin GPS72 to PC

petedg

petedg

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 Aug 2006
Messages
428
Visit site
I'm trying to connect my GPS72 to my PC using a USB cable, physically the connection is fine. I downloaded a driver from the Garmin website but I cant get it to recognize the GPS72 is connected. Has anyone got any thoughts, ideas?
 
elton said:
GPS72 doesn't have a USB interface. You either need a GPS72h, or a serial-to-USB cable.
Click to expand...
But I have a cable with a 4 pin adapter on one end which plugs directly into the 72 and a USB connector on the other. With a suitable driver why should'nt it work?
 
Go into start > settings>control panel >system >hardware > device manager and look for a yellow warning question mark. You may find one opposite your driver and you may have to go to properties and enable the driver. You might find that , since you are using a serial port emulatot, you need to tell the software you want to see the garmin and the garmin driver to use the same port number.
 
petedg said:
But I have a cable with a 4 pin adapter on one end which plugs directly into the 72 and a USB connector on the other. With a suitable driver why should'nt it work?
Click to expand...
Perhaps your cable has a built-in USB to serial converter, in which case it should work. But if it's simply a Garmin-type 4 pin plug connected to a USB cable and plug, it won't work and it cannot work.
 
petedg said:
I'm trying to connect my GPS72 to my PC using a USB cable, physically the connection is fine. I downloaded a driver from the Garmin website but I cant get it to recognize the GPS72 is connected. Has anyone got any thoughts, ideas?
Click to expand...

What Garmin driver did you download?

As stated above you need a serial to USB hardware connector (you may already have this) and also the corresponding driver for the connector. I don't think this would be a Garmin driver (unless it specifically states it is a Serial to USB driver). The driver would normally be provided with the connector (or from the manufacturer's website).

The baud rate for normal (generic) NMEA connection to the Garmin is 4800 bps. If you are using the Garmin proprietary protocol it will be 9600.

What chart plotter/navigator programme are you trying to connect to in the PC, or are you just trying to see the NMEA data in raw form?
 
Last edited:
petedg said:
I'm trying to connect my GPS72 to my PC using a USB cable, physically the connection is fine. I downloaded a driver from the Garmin website but I cant get it to recognize the GPS72 is connected. Has anyone got any thoughts, ideas?
Click to expand...
As has been pointed out, the Garmin 72 does not send USB it sends RS232. (NB Garmin 72H does send USB - but it has a separate USB socket.)

It sounds like you have a USB to serial adaptor. It requires the correct software to be installed, but I'm guessing that is what you mean by "driver". If you haven't got that installed you need to do so.

I have exactly the same setup as you, and can make it work. What navigation software are you using?

The things you need to get right are:

1. The COM port number - most nav software will help you with this, but look at devices from the control panel to see the number of "prolific USB to serial". Set the COM port in your nav software to the right number.

2. The protocol GARMIN or NMEA. On the 72 set it in the "settings>interfaces menu". Make sure software and instrument are set to the same.

3. Speed set to 4800 for NMEA or 9600 for Garmin. Instrument will select these speeds, software may need to be set manually.

If this doesn't get you going, tell me what navigation software you are using and I might be able to help. I have got it to work on:
Memory Map
Maptech
Imray
EasyGPS
GPSU
 
elton said:
Perhaps your cable has a built-in USB to serial converter, in which case it should work. But if it's simply a Garmin-type 4 pin plug connected to a USB cable and plug, it won't work and it cannot work.
Click to expand...
The cable I have is a Garmin 4 pin at one end and USB at the other, it does not have a built in USB to serial converter so it looks like I'm out of luck and it won't work. But thanks to every one for your input. Looks like I'll have to think again!
 
petedg said:
The cable I have is a Garmin 4 pin at one end and USB at the other, it does not have a built in USB to serial converter so it looks like I'm out of luck and it won't work. But thanks to every one for your input. Looks like I'll have to think again!
Click to expand...

I don't think that's true. The converter is not some massive lump of hardware. What you need is the software.

There would be NO SENSE in making a cable that goes from the Garmin plug to the USB unless it was designed to be a converter. Garmin does not send USB out of that four pin socket so why make a cable that stuffs it up a USB? The only thing in my cable is a wee black rectangular bit about 30mm by 20mm (and I haven't a clue what's inside it).

I got my cable ages ago from gpsw.co.uk. It came with an installation disk for the software. Garmin sell something similar. It may be that you have to download the software (and you almost certainly can, even if a disk is supplied normally). However I'm pretty sure your cable is meant for this unless someone bodged it together (and even one that I bodged together works).

You should go into control panel >devices and see if you can see a USB to serial adaptor on a port called "prolific......whatsit". If you can't you need to install the software. (The details of how to see this differ depending on which version of Windows you are on.)

There is absolutely no reason to give up on this. I have made it work with a Garmin 72, and adaptor cable, four different laptops, three versions of Windows and five different bits of navigation software, and I'm a dizzy old geezer not a geek.
 
Amulet said:
There would be NO SENSE in making a cable that goes from the Garmin plug to the USB unless it was designed to be a converter.
Click to expand...
I agree, it would serve no purpose.
One of my serial-to-USB cables looks like a straight-through cable, but the USB plug is oversized, and a Prolific PL203 converter chip is moulded into the bulge on the back of the USB plug.
 
elton said:
I agree, it would serve no purpose.
One of my serial-to-USB cables looks like a straight-through cable, but the USB plug is oversized, and a Prolific PL203 converter chip is moulded into the bulge on the back of the USB plug.
Click to expand...

I believe this îs the cable I have; http://www.rnrplace.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=28
I downloaded and installed the necessary files without problems and the com port shows the driver is installed OK. I tried connecting with EasyGPS software but only get a 'no connection' error.
I think its not going to work because I do not believe there is a chip moulded anywhere in the cable or connectors. As my laptop does not have a DB9 connector I wrongly thought I could connect directly with a USB cable but it seems these only work with later Garmins.
Thanks for everyones input.
 
Don't give up!!

Hey Pete - well done for posting the link to your cable. The GOOD news is....you're wrong! There is indeed a chip moulded into the USB plug. So the setup you have CAN work.

I've had difficulties in the past with USB-Serial converters, (and be assured this IS what you have there) and perseverence, re-starts and above all finding the right COM port number to put into your EasyGPS program is what you require. It CAN be configured, but there are those with steadier hands out there who can guide you through.

You need to say which version of Windows you're running, and then a PC whizz kid will tell you haw to do it, click by click. I am not one of those, just someone who's had similar frustrations with a similar piece of hardware. Like many marine electronics things - it's part magic and part science.

BTW I'm certain you need to set baud rate to 4800.

And finally......get yourself a free copy of Hyperterminal. You get a free months trial I think. Using this wonderful and simple software, you literally get to see the NMEA info arriving when finally it does. It's easy to fuss around with COM port numbers until you get it right and can plumb the same number into the nav program.

It's raining, and the rugby hasn't begun yet. Anything BETTER to do with your Sunday afternoon??

Good luck.
 
Last edited:
Guitarrich said:
Hey Pete - well done for posting the link to your cable. The GOOD news is....you're wrong!
Click to expand...
The man is right.

I have exactly the configuration you have running right now. I cannot find a way of making the Garmin talk NMEA to EasyGPS, but have no problem if it talks the Garmin protocol.

NOTE: As I understand it, EasyGPS is NOT a navigation programme. It's purpose is to enable routes, waypoints and tracks to be maintained on the computer and exchanged with the GPS.

Even if you get it working with NMEA (which I haven't) you won't see a stream of data.

Start up you GPS and put it on simulator.

Set it to the Garmin Protocol: Menu setup>interface>garmin

Fire up EasyGPS

Menu Edit>Preferences gives you a dialogue box

click the button "add GPS"

Scroll the left list to see "Garmin" and click on it

Scroll the right list to "GPS72" and click it

Click OK

It will show two pull down menus:

For the top one "connect via" if you do the pulldown I'd expect it to show only one option
Mine says "COM4 Prolific USB-to-serial Comm Port"
Yours may well say a number other than four... what ever, select it.

On the second pull down 9600 baud should be set (it should be the only option and set automatically for Garmin 72)

Click OK and then OK again on the preferences window.

Now go to menu GPS>Display GPS information

It should then show an information window telling you that you are connected to a Garmin GPS72 and its internal software version.

Whoop - it is connected. Click OK and try (say) copying the waypoints in your GPS (I assume there are some)

Menu GPS>Receive from GPS

In my case it took about a minute to receive 50 waypoints.

On the pull-down above the bottom left panel on your screen select waypoints to list them.

It must work...

If it doesn't send me a personal message with your symptoms and I'll see if I can suss out what is going on. (I'm not a geek, so may be stuck if there is an obscure technical problem)
I almost never use EasyGPS, so I may not have understood all its capabilities.

NB there are advantages in using the Garmin protocol for transferring complete route information. Also note that my failure to get it to talk NMEA does not mean that your configuration cannot communicate with your computer via NMEA. I can't do it in EasyGPS, but can in many other programs.

As one other respondent notes - you may be able to use "hyperterminal" to view a stream of NMEA. I am working on Windows 7, which doesn't supply this, and I haven't yet worked out another way of doing it - but everything works anyway.
 
I've had two of those, one was a cheepy of ebay and never worked for me either on Mac or PC. Did the whole driver thing, various applications - nothing - ever!!!

Bought another (mug!) from somewhere like "The GPS Shop" not sure of the exact name, and it worked first time on the Mac - no drivers required, nothing!!! Awesome.
 
Rs232 - usb

Firstly you could look Here

According to the above Garmin Setting is 4800

RS232 9 Pin uses pins 2 and 3 to send and receive data. One is TX the other RX the rest of the pins are hardware handshake. RTS,CTS,DTR,DSR and GND

Universal Serial Bus USB only has 4 pins. One is used for power 5v one is GND and the other 2 are Data+ and Data- and they work as a pair. The signal is sent down both wires at the same time and the receiver then looks at both signals cancels out any noise that they may have picked up and turns it back into a signal your PC Understands.

Problems being that typical RS232 has the signals at +12v for a 1 and -12v for a 0. so you get a voltage swing of 24v.

So all your little black chip does is take its power from the 5v line and then convert the RS232 signals into the Data+ and Data- that the USB Requires.

It also explains why some of the older RS232 units will not work with Prolific RS232 to USB converters as you cannot establish the correct hardware handshake protocols.The USB side on the PC has no idea if its Ok to send the next block of data or that a block of data has been received.

The old RS485 worked in the same way but required pull up resistors etc to get it to work correctly. USB is simpler. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

..

Clear as the Sea on the East Coast ..
 
Last edited:
Simple

Alpha22 said:
I've had two of those, one was a cheepy of ebay and never worked for me either on Mac or PC. Did the whole driver thing, various applications - nothing - ever!!!

Bought another (mug!) from somewhere like "The GPS Shop" not sure of the exact name, and it worked first time on the Mac - no drivers required, nothing!!! Awesome.
Click to expand...

Bet your Mac used the software from the first attempt with the unit from the second attempt. Think there is only one driver for the Mac for a USB to Serial Port.
 
I have had similar problems trying to connect my gpsmap 292 to my p.c.
using a serial to usb cable (or 2) but whatever program i have tried it dosn't see the garmin . I contacted garmin about this & this it theyre reply:

Thank you for contacting Garmin Europe. The Garmin Homeport software won't be able to communicate with theGarmin GPSMAP 292, as this is a serial device. The USB to serialadaptor that you have connected basically allows the computer to treatone of the USB ports as a serial device, however this serial device willstill not be recognised by the Garmin Homeport software. PresentlyGarmin Homeport will only recognise USB based Garmin devices. If you have G2 charts on a preprogrammed Garmin data card then in orderto use this within the Homeport software you will need a USB High SpeedCard reader, which will enable Homeport to look directly at the card.You can find out more on the card reader at the following, https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1408
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top