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OT - Netbook/Notebook

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 11:41:10

Ok, I'll ask the dumb question...

Are you guys saying that we could connect our Garmin handheld to our netbook via a usb cable and then run some pc software that would use the active GPS data from the handheld. ie. the PC software would behave like a regular GPS?

Paul

Edited by - on

TakeFive
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Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 12:29:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 Ok, I'll ask the dumb question...

Are you guys saying that we could connect our Garmin handheld to our netbook via a usb cable and then run some pc software that would use the active GPS data from the handheld. ie. the PC software would behave like a regular GPS?

Paul
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
In a word, yes.

If you have some moderate computer skills, and willing to search a little for online tips and tricks, it is very straightforward. If you don't know the difference between a USB and a COM port, then not so much.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
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Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 12:33:21

Paul, I don't remember exactly how I did it, but a few years ago, I connected my Garmin gps to a laptop computer and brought up all the charts and info from the gps screen onto the laptop screen. I'm not terribly computer savvy, but don't recall needing any software or any connectors other than what came with my gps. It must have been fairly simple, if I could do it.

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Dave5041
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Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 12:35:36

That is correct. I usually use my bluetooth connected gps puck, but I sometimes connect it over USB to simultaneously charge the battery, and occasionally use my ancient Etrex Legend with a Garmin serial cable and a Keyspan serial to USB adapter. I can see the computer in the cabin and can cycle through instrument and chart pages on my IPod Touch or IPhone at the helm. Of course I keep a paper chart in the coaming compartment. I have a hardwired inverter to power the computer when necessary and a 12V outlet in a coaming compartment if I need it.

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 12:48:46

Cool! We'll try that next time we're moving

Paul

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GaryB
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Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 14:50:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RhythmDoctor
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 It appears its only for the Garmin GPS18.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I would try it anyway - Spanner was definitely designed to also work with other devices. It's free, so there's nothing to lose.

It works fine with my Oregon 400c, and I know others with different model GPSs that have it working also. In fact, there's even a "Spanner" button in the Oregon that you select to activate the interface. When you power on with the USB cable, the device wants to know whether to come up as a generic USB storage device or use the Spanner software interface to act as a GPS dongle.

So it's certain that other models were designed for Spanner also. The fact that the website doesn't mention using Spanner for other devices is an omission. I suspect that Spanner was originally written for the 18x-USB version, but other devices follow a similar protocol for their USB communications, so they may work as well.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I downloaded Spanner on my desktop computer last night just to try it out. It did setup a port but I couldn't get it to receive any data. It just said it was waiting for data.

Any ideas?

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GaryB
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Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 18:42:36

I looked around at Best Buy but couldn't find any of the GPS pucks. Anyone got a good source?

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Dave5041
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Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 20:51:07

http://www.thegpsstore.com/ has USB pucks, but I did a quick search and didn't find any bluetooth ones. A more exhaustive online search might turn up some, and you'll probably have to buy it online anyway. Mine came with a TomTom package for an old Garmin PDA; I'll see if I can get any manufacturer info when I get home this weekend if you don't find anything by then. Mine receives well in the cabin, so USB would be fine. They start around $30.

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TakeFive
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Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 21:07:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 ...I downloaded Spanner on my desktop computer last night just to try it out. It did setup a port but I couldn't get it to receive any data. It just said it was waiting for data.

...I looked around at Best Buy but couldn't find any of the GPS pucks. Anyone got a good source?...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
What model GPS do you have? And why are you looking for a puck if you have a GPS? I'd give it a little more time to get the one you have working.

The most popular USB puck seems to be the GlobalSat BU-353. I have no personal experience with it, I just see it mentioned everywhere, including the [url="http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f134/"]OpenCPN support forum[/url]. Before buying, be sure to check whether Windows 7 support has improved if you use that OS.

However, I would also encourage you to instead consider a RS232 serial puck that outputs true NMEA. If you have a fixed VHF radio with DSC, you can splice the wires to feed the NMEA signal to your radio AND your computer. If your computer does not have a serial port, then just get a serial-USB converter for a few dollars to connect it to your computer. Sending GPS coordinates to your DSC enabled radio could save your life someday.

Edited by - TakeFive on 11/17/2011 04:52:23

GaryB
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Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 21:28:49

I have a Garmin GPSMAP378. I just thought the puck might be easier to handle rather than having wires running everywhere.

My laptop is brand new running Win7 and it has 3 USB ports, no serial ports. I have a Standard Horizon handheld with built in GPS and DSC.

I'll mess around with this more over the weekend. I'm sure I can get it going.

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Dave5041
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Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 21:29:36

Paul, get it working at home first. The Mac was basically plug and play, but it appears that some tweaking may be required on some pc's with some versions of Windows.

Rick, did you mean "does not have a serial port" or a "USB to serial adapter" (I'm not sure that I've ever seen that animal.)? Being able to connect to the radio from a serial cable is a good point. I intend to get that operational with my Etrex this winter.

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TakeFive
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Response Posted - 11/17/2011 : 06:22:54

A few helpful facts:

Here's a screenshot of the setup screen for my Oregon 400c. You need to select "Spanner" to use it with the Spanner program. Fortunately you only need to do this once - it remembers the setting going forward:

<center>

</center>

Here's a screenshot I found of someone else's GPSMap62s. It also has the Spanner option:

<center>

</center>

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garmin_spanner"]This link[/url] lists some of the models that do and do not support Spanner. The 76 is listed as supporting it, but the 78 is not listed as either supported or not supported. It may be too new.

[url="http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/garmin-gps/9438-garmin-gpsmap-78s-ext-power-supply.html"]This link[/url] mentions problems that someone else had getting the 78s to work with Spanner. It looks like it is not supported, unless it has been added in a firmware upgrade since then. Adding it into an update is not unprecedented - that's what Garmin did for the Colorado series.

[EDIT: Oops, I see you have the 378, not the 78. That's a full chart plotter, not a handheld. I doubt that Spanner is designed for that. I can see why you might want a puck for greater mobility. Spanner is only meant for Garmin devices.]

Edited by - TakeFive on 11/17/2011 06:26:13

PCP777
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Response Posted - 11/17/2011 : 16:51:41

Nothing to do with GPS but I got the Kindle Fire today and I love it. Web browsing is fast, books download in seconds and the free movies with my Prime membership load quick and look awesome. Really nice little device.

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GaryB
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Response Posted - 11/19/2011 : 13:13:32

I went to Target yesterday to pickup some blank DVD's and happened to see an Acer One 11.6" netbook for $299.00. It's dual core so I picked one up to see how it might work out. I've got 45 days to return it. I haven't had time to pull it out of the box yet but it looks promising.

[Edit] - Broke this little netbook out last night. While not a hot rod by any means, this thing is pretty cool for it's size. It's got a 11.6" HD Display, AMD Dual Core Processor, Radeon HD Video Card, 2gb Ram, 3 - Hi-Speed USB ports, VGA and HDMI ports, Lan, and WLan.

It seems to be almost as fast as my Sony laptop but still slower than a desktop. I haven't tried running You Tube yet but I would not normally be doing that on the boat anyway.

It's the fastest netbook I've come across. Now the question is what Nav software should I run on it?

Edited by - GaryB on 11/20/2011 07:13:05

piseas
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Response Posted - 11/20/2011 : 07:39:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 Nothing to do with GPS but I got the Kindle Fire today and I love it. Web browsing is fast, books download in seconds and the free movies with my Prime membership load quick and look awesome. Really nice little device.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Peter, Are there any great apps for sailing?
Steve A

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PCP777
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Response Posted - 11/26/2011 : 13:37:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 Nothing to do with GPS but I got the Kindle Fire today and I love it. Web browsing is fast, books download in seconds and the free movies with my Prime membership load quick and look awesome. Really nice little device.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Peter, Are there any great apps for sailing?
Steve A
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> Not that I have found. It runs an Android OS and all apps run through the Amazon store. Honestly, i never found any decent android sailing apps with my phone. Of course, I can set up short cuts to weather resources etc. on the front page. Battery life is really good compared to my laptop or phone. The other day I laid down in my L berth, set the kindle on my cooler (where the stove would go) ,plugged it to my aux jack on the stereo and watched a free streaming movie while tied up at the dock. Very nice. No buffering at all even though I was dipping into a connection on my friend's boat two slips down. Reading is a pleasure, I have downloaded a sailing book and subscribed to Cruising World. I haven't opened my lap top since I got this thing.

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