NMEA to USB Connection

rhinorhino

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 Sep 2002
Messages
727
Visit site
Chart plotter (Raymarine) has a NEMA out connection (Round 4/5 pins).

Is there a reasonable simple way of taking that out-put and getting it into a usb port to drive chart-plotter?

THX
 
You need to get a pin out of the Raymarine, usually nmea in and out plus a common negative. Then connect it to a 9 pin serial port connection, go to a garmin website and get a pin out for a serial port. Then get a USB to serial convertor and away you go
Stu
 
Yes, there are plenty of Serial to USB "cables" for PCs (assuming you meant getting the NMEA data into a PC from the Raymarine unit). Search the net or pop into Maplins (or similar, see HERE). Only need two wires between systems running at 4800 baud, 8 bit, no parity, 1 stop bit (if I remember correctly), NMEA out -ve to ground, NMEA out +ve to signal in. If you want data in both directions you'll need to connect NMEA in -ve to ground and NMEA in +ve to signal out.

Before somebody jumps on me about optically isolating devices; Yes, you can get small widgets which will electrically isolate the two devices, but I have never found this to be necessary (yet!). The USB cable under windows will, with the driver software, appear as just another COM port.

Jeff.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Chart plotter (Raymarine) has a NEMA out connection (Round 4/5 pins).

Is there a reasonable simple way of taking that out-put and getting it into a usb port to drive chart-plotter?

THX

[/ QUOTE ]

There are loads of 3rd party people who do NMEA to USB connectors out there ... GPS Warehouse is one ... and they are cheaper than going to proprietary gear.

You will probably have to do a little connecting up ... ie a bare ended lead with Prolific USB connector on other ....

or

you could take a Raymarine NMEA to serial lead and use a serial to USB adapator.

It's not a hard job to make up a bare end lead - as long as the USB end is done for you !!
 
Top