gps to laptop

[Birdseye]

If you have Mapsource that implies that the Garmin you have is one of those soldfor use in the car. I had such a GPS (a Quest in my case) and no way could I get it to send an NMEA signal through its USB cable. It was simply designed to operate on internal mapping software which could be uploaded / downloaded by using Mapsource.

My guess is that the Garmin is programmed to send data in different formats to/ from the Mapsource program via the USB cable. If it is possible to use it to output NMEA, then maybe you need either different Garmin comms coftware or a serial cable. Talk to Garmin

If you need the latter and your PC has only a USB port then the fun really begins since XP has problems too.

 

[Guest]

GPS 60 ..... and Mapsource

Birdseye - Mapsource is not only land based - it also has marine ... and the 60 is sold with Mapsource as a bundle.

Is is true though judging by the bumph on the garmin site - that the usb connection is a garmin data ex Mapsource only.

If you check out most hand-held's - they are generally hiking / car / bike use orientated - with marine added on.

As to "the fun really begins" ...... only if things are thrown together without care. I am sure that we will get this guy plotting shortly.

 

[Birdseye]

Re: GPS 60 ..... and Mapsource

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Birdseye - Mapsource is not only land based - it also has marine ... and the 60 is sold with Mapsource as a bundle.

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Interesting. Does this mean that the Garmin Blue charts will run on your lappy under map source? Would be interested in knowing since my (sadly ex) Garmin Quest is likely to be replaced by another or by a 276 both of which Garmin claim can be used for marine as well as in car nav.

I never tried blue charts under Map Source when I had the Quest but the MS copy I have on my PC doesnt look anything like a decent marine plotter software package. Its a simple (and not very good) package designed for loading / unloading the GPS set and basic routing and finding tasks. When you load a Blue Chart does it bring up the necessary extra marine functions like tides?

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As to "the fun really begins" ...... only if things are thrown together without care. I am sure that we will get this guy plotting shortly.

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Not in my experience. I have marine Garmin sets used via a serial / usb convertor, and a USB GPS engine and still get the XP serial mouse if I just use them "plug and play" style like every other add-on. And even when working, I find that port allocation changes between switch off and switch on. I would be interewsted in hearing from you where I am going wrong because its got me beaten!

 

[Guest]

Re: GPS 60 ..... and Mapsource

I agree that Mapsource is weak on marine ..... I have World and Atlantic .... What I say is that the bundle is supposed to land / marine ..... the GPS itself is a POI machine - so unless you move up the scales will disappoint if you want good mapping capability.

Bluechart ? You will have to check the specs. - I'm not a 60 user ... just helping out someone to get it plotting.

Mouse problem .... that is a problem of XP and a lot of people get it ..... sometimes even the switch on PC first and then connect usb doesn't work ! But generally it does. The MS fix is useless. So another way is to let windoze install the mouse and then disable it under device manager.

As to swapping ports - I take it you have a multiple USB port machine or a USB hub plugged in ? If you change the port or apparent plug in position of the gps - it will swap ports ... and play games with you ..... So make sure that you plug in same way, same port each time. Once set it will then live quite happily - it will also reduce the first bit about installing mouse ....
Personally I always plug in my GPS (eTrex) into the 3rd USB port I have .... never via the USB extending hub or another - it always comes up Port 4 ..... no problem.

And - he is now plotting - told you we would get him working !!