GPS USB

martynwhiteley · 20 Feb 2003

Anyone know where I can get a USB data cable to replace the std Seriel one on my Garmin E-trex, without it costing nearly as much as a new GPS?

<hr width=100% size=1>Quick, grab the boat hook.....

Flyboy · 20 Feb 2003

Probably easier to use a USB to RS232 adapter, usually fairly cheap. Try looking on Ebay.

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wakeup · 20 Feb 2003

Note you can only read data from the Garmin using USB you can;t write to it. At least that is the case with mine....!!!

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alastair · 20 Feb 2003

Ive found that you can write to the Garmin Eterx using the Garmin interface, but not NMEA.

Regards

Alastair

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alastair · 20 Feb 2003

Try Lynks Cables UK
0141 587 0282

Regards

Alastair

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jfm · 20 Feb 2003

Re: related Q re power

Will the USB cable power the garmin, as well as transmitting data, to avoid running the garmin on batteries?

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Happy1 · 20 Feb 2003

OK, I have FULLY researched this, yawn, yawn I hear BUT listen. The GPS can read and write via this cable, I bought one for my e-map and 176C BUT and the big BUT is, it only works on certain compters. You see these cables are high speed and Garmin is programmed to run on a slower speed so it does cause problems. I paid about £69 for mine it is a posh looking cable with a lovely fancy silver sticker on, but it did not work with my Sony Vaio Desktop or Sony Vaio Laptop. I contaced Garmin help desk and got an American as out of hours you get diredted to the USA, he told me they realise this fault and it is hit or miss, it does seem that Windows XP is the problem, that is on both of my compteres. Another problem can be other programmes like hotsync running in the background. So anyway I was stuffed. I did however manage to plug into my sons Toshiba laptop using the serial cable and downloaded the updates to the Garmin, very useful this, it is free, look on their site and check for the free update for yours, PM me if you have a problem.

So, what do I do, well I went to the stand at the LBS and confronted them, I told them what had happened and they admitted there were some problems, they then told me they would give me a free Chip reader worth £79 so I could update my charts onto the Chip and vice versa. So I have the useless cable and would be willing to lend it to someone if they wanted to have a go and did not lose it, there is a CD that you have to down load a patch from. I am aware that the e-map does not have a chip, and borrowing mine would only be any good for updating as I would want it back. So before spending all that dosh, check that it WILL work for you, If Garmins does not, I would suggest you have less hope with some others. Amen,

<hr width=100% size=1> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know"

wakeup · 20 Feb 2003

AHHH that makes sense I am using a Sony Vaio laptop. I'll try it on my vanilla PC instead..

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martynwhiteley · 20 Feb 2003

Wow,

Pity I hadn't posed this question before I changed my Laptop for one with only USB ports and no RS232.

I guess my best option is a USB/RS232 convertor cable as kindly advised earlier.

Many thanks

<hr width=100% size=1>Oh well, maybe next weekend....

Happy1 · 20 Feb 2003

Re: related Q re power

NO, not at all, but I bought a 220v - 12v converter and plug the fag lighter socket into that, I also use the converter for my cars fridge and hot box, I can get it cool or warm before setting out for a picnic /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know"

Happy1 · 20 Feb 2003

Why not try mine free, if it dosn't work you won't waste any money.

<hr width=100% size=1> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know"

Happy1 · 20 Feb 2003

And another thing, if you use the Chip reader, IT WILL NOT store waypoints, that can only be done direct to the unit via the serial or USB converter, IF it works.

<hr width=100% size=1> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know"

martynwhiteley · 20 Feb 2003

Thanks Happy1.

Please see my PM.

<hr width=100% size=1>Oh well, maybe next weekend....

Steve_D · 20 Feb 2003

I've got a rs232 adapter that runs off the USB on my laptop, so far its worked with all(?) of my Garmins. I'm not at work so I'm not sure about the make/model but I got it from maplins I think.

Regards

Steve D

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martynwhiteley · 20 Feb 2003

Come to think of it, what is the average number of Garmins per boater, 2.4?

I've just got two of the little blighters (that I know about), GPS and FF.

<hr width=100% size=1>Oh well, maybe next weekend....

Steve_D · 20 Feb 2003

Well I've got three; Legend, 176c and an old 3plus (but that one is out on permanent loan) I've tried the others but didn't like the interfaces/size/price/build.

Regards

Steve D

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martynwhiteley · 20 Feb 2003

Mine's also the Legend, would highly recommend it.

Just a shame that they don't take memory cards, since my only complaint is the in-built 8MB is limiting.

<hr width=100% size=1>Oh well, maybe next weekend....

Happy1 · 20 Feb 2003

It's on it's way, good luck.

<hr width=100% size=1> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know"

Happy1 · 20 Feb 2003

Steve, I have bought a 176C but have just been using it for the road, I am waiting for the version 4 update, due at the start of next month before I activate my chart, apparently if you activate AFTER a new version has come out (newer than the one sold to you) you can update free. Can you please give me your views on it, I have not used charts on it yet.

Cheers,

<hr width=100% size=1> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know"

Steve_D · 20 Feb 2003

'Only just fitted it to the boat but I took it out on my brothers a few times last year to play with it and was very impressed. The screen is much smaller than my brothers but much clearer, I like the fact that then charts are based on the admiralty ones and use the same colours so I don't have to mentaly convert from one to the other.

sunlight viewing isn't bad, tho I found that keeping the backlight on all the time sometimes helped depending on the angle of the sun etc.

Using it in the car is a good idea to get used to it, if you get a blank card you can download the street level maps onto it to supplement the major road network basemap.

Regards

Steve D

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