Transferring routes / wpts to old Garmin GPS 152

[MattS]

I have a Garmin GPS 152 unit onboard, but anyone familiar will understand it's quite impractical to plan an entire route on that when we have things like chartplotter software now.

I am planning my routes on Navionics or OpenCPN, and then using the GPX files to transfer between them.

My GPS repeater on board seems to only want to talk to the old Garmin GPS, so in order to benefit from XTE, VMG etc. in the cockpit I want to try and upload the routes to the old Garmin

From what I've read, it looks like I have to use some kind of Garmin Data Transfer mode if I want to import routes to the GPS 152. It does seem to accept WPL sentences over NMEA, but I'd then have to re-create the routes in the Garmin's memory manually using the waypoints. It looks like OpenCPN might be able to support the Garmin data transfer mode thing.

Has anyone got experience of doing this, or with similar Garmin devices?

Am I right that this is the only way to get a route transferred to an old Garmin is using this Garmin Data Transfer protocol?

What connection do I need to put in place to do that - I presume I need some kind of direct USB to serial adaptor that I connect directly up to the Garmin data input?

Any pointers helpful! I'm trying to eek use out of the old kit, but am getting close to just replacing it!

 

[pvb]

What connection do I need to put in place to do that - I presume I need some kind of direct USB to serial adaptor that I connect directly up to the Garmin data input?

Any pointers helpful! I'm trying to eek use out of the old kit, but am getting close to just replacing it!

As I understand it, you need a Garmin 010-10150-00 PC interface cable, which is of course obsolete. You might be able to find one second-hand.

However, the 152 can only handle a max of 20 routes, each with a max of 30 waypoints. Rather than mess about with it, why not sell it on eBay (they usually fetch £100) and put the money towards something newer and more capable?

 

[cpedw]

I used a DOS program called GARDOWN to transfer waypoints and routes to/from a Garmin 128. I think the 152 is a similar vintage so GARDOWN might work with it if you can get it running on a PC! Otherwise, what pvb said.

 

[MattS]

I think you’re both probably right… I’ve just been trying to avoid the cliche of ripping out the electronics in the first year!

My usage probably doesn’t warrant anything particularly fancy