Thread: GPS Receiver - USB or Bluetooth?

I run a wired USB mouse that slips between the dashboard and the windscreen. It has a LED that tells me if I have a signal or not and I can see this from the drivers seat.

My laptop and all its associated gear is hard wired and sits in the cargo area but to remove the laptop only takes about 1 min.

Not a bad setup.

Originally Posted by Yorkshire_Jon

The magnet base for the mouse version isnt much good for a Defender!!!

My BU-353 gets great reception on my bonnet hinge, the cable running through the front vent into the cabin.

Originally Posted by D3Jon

<snip>I like the look of that! <snip>

<snip>I was wondering if this will work with the 2 Garmin software products I use (MapSource & nRoute) because I know that the Garmin software specifically looks for a Garmin device for it to work. <snip>

Jon

In fact I liked the look of it so much that I just bought one, seems like a decent enough seller as well 'cos I asked him a question and he replied within the hour.

Although the seller couldn't tell me about compatability with Garmin software he said it could be returned if it didn't work with it. That's all a bit academic now as I've figured out how to get a non-Garmin GPS to talk to the Garmin software.

The Garmin software only reads GPS data in the Garmin format and will not read NMEA output which the majority of GPS's talk in. To get around this a free program is installed called GPSProxy which takes the NMEA data from the GPS and converts it to Garmin format. Another program called com0com then re-directs the data to another 'virtual" com port which you point your mapping sofware to.... oh bu@@er, as I type this I realise that GPSProxy is probably expecting the GPS to be connected to a COM port and not a USB port... Oh well, I'll have a play with it when it arrives.

At least it'll work with OziExplorer, although I hate that software, it seems to me to be totally overly complicated just for the sake of it.

EDIT: Quick update (this is work in progress ), looks like "GpsGate" is the answer to any problems I might encounter. Also lets more than one application use the GPS at the same time, so can run Ozi and nRoute at the same time off the one GPS - costs US$12.95.

Jon

I use a bluetooth GPS receiver with my PDA. I have it permanently wired through a 5V regulator under the dash so that the battery is always charged. I then have an antenna plugged into it that sits under the windscreen. The advantage to the bluetooth is that there is no need to plug anything in - just turn on the PDA and it connects. Secondly, it can be removed from the car with a fully charge battery and dropped in your pocket for a portable GPS, again without wires

Originally Posted by Yorkshire_Jon

Firstly, I wouldnt use Bluetooth - use wired connections - much more reliable.

Mine has never lost the bluetooth connection. The only time I have had problems have been software issues that would also cause USB problems.

Originally Posted by D3Jon

To get around this a free program is installed called GPSProxy which takes the NMEA data from the GPS and converts it to Garmin format. Another program called com0com then re-directs the data to another 'virtual" com port which you point your mapping sofware to.... oh bu@@er, as I type this I realise that GPSProxy is probably expecting the GPS to be connected to a COM port and not a USB port... Oh well, I'll have a play with it when it arrives.

I just had a look at GPSProxy and while I don't have a USB port on my PDA, it looks to have the facility to connect to USB.

Originally Posted by D3Jon

In fact I liked the look of it so much that I just bought one, seems like a decent enough seller as well 'cos I asked him a question and he replied within the hour.

Although the seller couldn't tell me about compatability with Garmin software he said it could be returned if it didn't work with it. That's all a bit academic now as I've figured out how to get a non-Garmin GPS to talk to the Garmin software.

The Garmin software only reads GPS data in the Garmin format and will not read NMEA output which the majority of GPS's talk in. To get around this a free program is installed called GPSProxy which takes the NMEA data from the GPS and converts it to Garmin format. Another program called com0com then re-directs the data to another 'virtual" com port which you point your mapping sofware to.... oh bu@@er, as I type this I realise that GPSProxy is probably expecting the GPS to be connected to a COM port and not a USB port... Oh well, I'll have a play with it when it arrives.

At least it'll work with OziExplorer, although I hate that software, it seems to me to be totally overly complicated just for the sake of it.

EDIT: Quick update (this is work in progress ), looks like "GpsGate" is the answer to any problems I might encounter. Also lets more than one application use the GPS at the same time, so can run Ozi and nRoute at the same time off the one GPS - costs US$12.95.

Jon

I tried gpsgate but didnt like, now use port splitter and find it works better for my app - and i found it on a t&rr*nt site.

Garmin software will accept NMEA data streams on Com1 or Com2 when running on a PC. Com1 or Com2 can be a USB-Serial virtual port.

Good idea about the GPS on the bonnet hinge - hadnt thought of that.

Originally Posted by awabbit6

I just had a look at GPSProxy and while I don't have a USB port on my PDA, it looks to have the facility to connect to USB.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

I tried gpsgate but didnt like, now use port splitter and find it works better for my app - and i found it on a t&rr*nt site.

Originally Posted by Yorkshire_Jon

Garmin software will accept NMEA data streams on Com1 or Com2 when running on a PC. Com1 or Com2 can be a USB-Serial virtual port.

Thanks fella's.

Originally Posted by D3Jon

In fact I liked the look of it so much that I just bought one, seems like a decent enough seller as well 'cos I asked him a question and he replied within the hour.

Although the seller couldn't tell me about compatability with Garmin software he said it could be returned if it didn't work with it. That's all a bit academic now as I've figured out how to get a non-Garmin GPS to talk to the Garmin software.

The Garmin software only reads GPS data in the Garmin format and will not read NMEA output which the majority of GPS's talk in. To get around this a free program is installed called GPSProxy which takes the NMEA data from the GPS and converts it to Garmin format. Another program called com0com then re-directs the data to another 'virtual" com port which you point your mapping sofware to.... oh bu@@er, as I type this I realise that GPSProxy is probably expecting the GPS to be connected to a COM port and not a USB port... Oh well, I'll have a play with it when it arrives.

At least it'll work with OziExplorer, although I hate that software, it seems to me to be totally overly complicated just for the sake of it.

EDIT: Quick update (this is work in progress ), looks like "GpsGate" is the answer to any problems I might encounter. Also lets more than one application use the GPS at the same time, so can run Ozi and nRoute at the same time off the one GPS - costs US$12.95.

Jon

I loaded nRoute and got a non Garmin USB GPS receiver and then discovered the Garmin problem. I loaded GPSproxy and com0com and it works from a USB port just fine. It doesn't care whether the the connection is USB or serial.