Maptech on laptop

[Sandy.]

I have recently obtained Maptech software and I want to interface my laptop to my GPS, (Garmin 120). The Garmin is connected to the radar, (JRC1000), and is also connected to a cockpit repeater,(NASA). How do I plug my laptop into that lot, please? The complicate the issue the input into the laptop will have to be by a USB port. Assuming I can get the correct lead from 'whoever ', where do I plug it into the system?? Thank you to anyone who can advise me.

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Talbot]

Why not just purchase a USB GPS Mouse from EBay, it will simplify the connectivity and give you an alternate GPS, and also allow you to use laptop in car with autoroute . works for me, and the USB GPS Mouse is about the same price as the proper connector without all the soldering problems.

 

[steve6367]

I have a very similar setup - without the NASA repeater. You need to get a USB to serial cable first and then wire this into the NMEA output on your Garmin. I am at work now so dont have the info to hand, but if you get stuck let me know and I can look up the correct colour etc for you.

 

[Guest]

Join us and find out this and more ..

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

This is a worldwide group - we have Tim from Maptech in there, Brian from Seapro, Olle from Seaclear etc. etc.

We try to help everyone ... begginners, experienced - you name it we all start somewhere ...

Its free and gets lively sometimes .... over 1400 members at moment and growing every day.

Its worth it ....

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Re: Join us and find out this and more ..

Sandy, I also have a very similar setup... a Garmin 120 GPS, and a laptop with Maptech....

The only difference is that I don't have a radar, and my cockpit repeater is Autohelm.......

It works just fine using the GPS as a talker, and multiple listeners.... the USB connection, with the relevant USB to serial adaptor is straightforward.... just wire it up.... I have the correct colour wires from the GPS to connect to the relevant serial pins on the laptop, buts its on the boat... PM me if you still need the info, and i'll dig it out at the weekend...

 

[Fenders]

Re: Join us and find out this and more ..

Sandy,

I had a similar problem with regards to my laptop only having usb ports.
Managed to track down a usb converter cable from Maplin. Part number ZP43W. www.maplin.co.uk
During my search I also found another source but it was in USA. If no luck with Maplin try www.startech.com

Fenders

 

[Sandy.]

Re: Join us and find out this and more ..

Thank you all for your comments. The USB GPS is probably the way I will go as I am useless with a soldering iron.

 

[landaftaf]

Re: Join us and find out this and more ..

I have a spare fortuna u2 high performance usb gps antenna - pm me if you are interested

 

[Guest]

Why solder ??? Why buy another GPS ?

OK .... if you go for the mouse GPS ... you have effectively 2 GPS ... your existing one as battery back-up ?? or is it fixed 12V job ?? Whichever way - you have now 2 GPS. BUT the GPS mouse ONLY works via the PC and takes power from it. This drains the PC quicker than a serial / USB connected 'other' HH GPS. Example (this is an eTrex with USB power / data cable ....) I get about 3 - 4 days continuous use from my Acer Notebook when connected to 12V DC to DC converter .... but due to the power requirement of the GPS adding to the PC's .... the battery is not quite kept charged up and slowly drains ... The GPS Mouse would be marginally better ....

If you already have a GPS ... then you don't need to solder ......... there are numerous outlets selling UPS to GPS cables to fit near all GPS available WITH plugs and fittings already on. It is also an idea to have the GPS self powered if you consider long trips etc. Self powered by that I mean via 12v domestic supply and backed up by AA batterys (I use rechargeables and carry a 12v recharge box with spare NImh AA's), if possible.

If you only use the PC / GPS for relatively short trips and can cover the power requirement easily - then the GPS mouse is a good idea ... if you want more versatile / freedom and facility .... go for the cable to normal GPS + 12v power etc.

Remember that the GPS mouse is only a receiver and has absolutely no waypoint / route / navigation capability other than position indication via PC display. It has no way to display anything itself ..... for the price you'd be better to buy an eTrex / small Magellan at little more ..... on eBay they go for peanuts ...

Finally forget Chandlers for cables / bits and bobs etc. - they are expensive .... remember that cars, hobbyists, cyclists etc. have discovered GPS and the most unlikely sources now have all sorts of bits and pieces at good prices .... but of course best of all is the web ....

try : http://www.gpsw.co.uk/index.html or http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/ or http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/ as examples .....

A search for GPS etc. brings up a world of dealers / support companys with cables, connectors etc. etc. EVEN the hard to get xxxxx connectors that were supposed to not be supplied outside of the GPS company's dealers etc.

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[fireball]

Maptech to GPS Repeater?

Has anyone tried this?
Maptech (or Offshore Nav Lite as we use) is great for our lowkey style navigation - we can feed it from any of our 3 GPSs (2 x Etrex 1 x Apelco), but as we put a route in on the Laptop it would be handy to be able to repeat the nav information up on deck. Toying with the idea of repeating the whole screen on deck, but the LCD screens are not cheap enough to throw away yet!

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Re: Maptech to GPS Repeater?

Have you thought about repeating it to a PDA instead of a flat screen?

There is a bit of software that does this via WLAN..... if its of any interest, then say so, and i'll dig out the details.....

I quite like the idea, as you can also then install the Maptech PDA software on the PDA and use it as a backup in event of the laptop failing for any reason....

 

[Guest]

Repeater screens ....

This is an avenue that myself and another in GPS Nab group are working on and trying to find a cheap, affordable and reasonable size answer to .... initally we considered LCD TV's as in cars ......... but they are c..p display in TV out format ... so its back to monitors again .... we are finding various outlets that supply 7", 8" monitors but it's the weather side that is stumping us at moment. We have the 12v base unit, radio mouse / keyboard etc. etc. all ready to go - just waiting the display.

One temp. idea that I toy with is the cheap and chatty spares or repair notebook market .... get a notebook that has passed its sell-by date and given up the ghost in terms of hard-drive / general use ... but can still display an input from another machine ... stick it under spray-hood ...... or a small cover to save it from worst weather ... throw away when damaged - get another !!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Guest]

PC to PDA ...

I have set up eTrex to PC .... running Seaclear ... then passthru to HP Jornado running Ozi-Explorer CE .....

This is excellent in grey days / night use .... but nice sunny days as we all want - I couldn't see the pda screen.

My mate Jim bought the MIO 168 all in one PDA GPS job and runs Maptech and Tom Tom on it .... says its good ... but of course we are now talking much more dosh ....

If you can see your PDA screen in nice weather outdoors - then passthru etc. is the way to go.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Re: Repeater screens ....

Nigel,

I would, as I am sure many others would, be very interested in your conclusion to this...

I am sure that there are many many people using laptops at the chart table that would welcome a sensibly priced option to repeat the display at the helm/in the cockpit...

Keep us informed!

 

[Guest]

Re: Repeater screens ....

We ......... that is my mate who is the wizzo on this in terms of practical sourcing etc. ........... is trialing a screen at moment and he loves it .... but still have the weather factor to sort ....

But as said the 12v is up and running .... mine eg has 4 USB, RS232, Parrelel, monitor out, PS2, etc. etc. medium sized HDD and CD-R ...... size of unit is about 30cms wide, 30cms deep and about 12cms high .... with front and rear connections to suit.

My idea is to look at on-board GPS cards as well as wifi capability to give nav capability to larger boats where you want it etc.

Please don't rush us with orders yet !!!!

 

[fireball]

Re: Maptech to GPS Repeater?

I had seen other posts, but I don't have a PDA and don't think the screen would be big enough for arms length reading (I want to mount a display under the sprayhood).
Obviously a completey repeated NAV screen would be best, but I'd want 12" minimum (size matters doesn't it?!) to make it readable.

The only real current need on deck is bearing, heading, speed & distance to go - all possible by a numeric GPS repeater - just wondered if that could be fed from Offshore Nav.

I do have an old toshiba laptop screen (with no laptop - the bosses cat peed on it - disolving most of the circuit board! - rescued the memory, HD & screen) but not sure if I can drive that from a VGA output - obviously with a powersource ... would be great if I could, cos it cost nothing so is a throw away item ... and is 14" ... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

It could all come to nothing as we're thinking about replacing with a Raymarine C series for Radar capability .. but that won't be for a year or so ..

 

[jimbouy]

Re: Maptech to GPS Repeater?

From my research... interfacing a laptop screen to a desktop is not as staight forward as plugging in to VGA.... they're driven in a different way.

I also have to agree that the PDA screen is on the small size.

As Nigel has said I have the Mio all in one.

Brilliant in the car running TomTom.

Usefull in the cockpit held in your hand in the right conditions, but not much more than that. IMO.


All I can say is watch this space.


Jim

 

[damon]

Re: Maptech to GPS Repeater?

I'm pondering this at the moment. My thoughts were to get a small laptop, like the Toshiba portege I already have running Garmin Mapsource and Bluecharts, connected to an eMap handheld.
I was thinking of buying a cheapo laptop from Ebay and splitting it, mounting the screen at the helm in a perspex case, the body of the laptop below, extend the signal and power connections to the screen. you could even run a small laptop rollerball mouse, on screen keyboard comes with Windows if you needed it.

 

[Guest]

Splitting notebook ...

Of course it must be possible - but how are you going to extend the screen ribbon cable ?

We looked at this - as both of us have old notebooks etc. that could provide the bits ...

 

[fireball]

Re: Splitting notebook ...

Ah - now the old tosh and the satelite pro screen I've got are both individual cables - not ribboned .. just the connectors turned round ... been toying with the idea of just splitting them to drive both screens ... power might be a problem though ...