Moonshiners
regular
Reged: 20/02/2008
Posts: 286
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Trying to connect our GPS (Garmin GPS72 H/H) to our laptop (HP XP) via USB/Serial cable adapter to NMEA on back of GPS. The GPS output is set to NMEA, i've downloaded GPS Wedge as an interface to check the GPS readings (Admiralty charts on order) -
But I keep getting a USB error message when I try to connect the GPS> "There is a problem.... Unknown USB... There may be a malfunction or missing driver" or words to that effect.
I insalled the driver that came with the adapter cable but it seems as though it still requires some kind of NMEA/GPS driver? Would make sense i also require a driver other than the adaptor cable.
or is it just an error on the current interface cable driver?
Help pleeease.
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Fireball
regular
Reged: 15/11/2004
Posts: 7473
Loc: Chichester
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The USB adapter should just give you a serial port. You can then use something as basic as Hyperterminal to check the input.
You'll need to check which serial port it has given you, but once you've got hyperterminal open then just connect it using 9600baud ...
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Moonshiners
regular
Reged: 20/02/2008
Posts: 286
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Quote:
The USB adapter should just give you a serial port. You can then use something as basic as Hyperterminal to check the input.
You'll need to check which serial port it has given you, but once you've got hyperterminal open then just connect it using 9600baud ...
With whim whams and zigports - thanks for the advise but english please i have a basic grasp of computers but didn't really catch what you just said.... (thanks for the reply tho) 
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NDH
regular
Reged: 16/03/2006
Posts: 425
Loc: Hampshire
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My Garmin 76 is connected to laptop with a Garmin / serial lead, interface is set to Garmin, works a treat
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www.e-algarve.net apartment rental in Vilamoura
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wotayottie
regular
Reged: 01/07/2007
Posts: 1892
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step 1 - make sure your gps is set to output nmea data
step 2 - plug in the gps, boot up computer
step3 - start>settings>control panel>system>hardware>device manager>ports (com and ltp)
this should show you the driver which converts your usb input into serial port. make sure it is enabled and not disabled.
step 4 - drill down into this driver (I havent got mine handy at the mo) to find which port it is converting your usb input into. then make sure your gps software is looking at the same port noty a different one.
essentially, your driver cons the pc into thinking that the usb signal is coming in via one of your non existant serial ports . to do this it has to be triggered by the presence of the gps, enabled, and then both the driver and the charting software have to shake hands on the same imaginary serial port number
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Moonshiners
regular
Reged: 20/02/2008
Posts: 286
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Thanks for your resposes. What GPS software is reccomeneded, i've tried GPS wedge and windmill, but both seem to have unlinited settings, there must be an easier one?
NDH what GPS software and mapping are you using?
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Talbot
regular
Reged: 23/08/2003
Posts: 12441
Loc: Stavanger, Norway
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some serial to usb adaptors dont work well with GPS. make sure you get the latest driver for it.
Personally I like the adaptors from www.easysync.co.uk - especially the top quality which has leds to show data movement.
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"Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors - and miss."
Robert A Heinlein
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NDH
regular
Reged: 16/03/2006
Posts: 425
Loc: Hampshire
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Using Maptech Navigator, no other software needed, autolocates GPS port
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www.e-algarve.net apartment rental in Vilamoura
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BigNick
regular
Reged: 29/04/2003
Posts: 6367
Loc: Lymington
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I have just got back from the boat having played with Garmin GPS into laptop and NMEA in and out of the other instruments.
On my maptech software you have to set the interface to 'Garmin' NOT NMEA, the software does the rest.
You must configure the port along the lines described by wotayottie.
HTH
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Taking strike action until the forum is fixed properly.
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Amulet
regular
Reged: 25/06/2007
Posts: 103
Loc: England, East Coast
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The configuration of adaptor GPS72 is one I've made work with many bits of software - but not the one you mention. I have a suspicion your computer doesn't know what it got stuffed up its USB. But, as indicated by others, it may be that your software is looking on the wrong port. Most reasonably sane software will scan and find the right port.
Firstly - check whether a "help", "read_me" or something like that is available - either on the driver disk or from the web site you got it from. My cable had a detailed explanation of how to check that it was all working using hyperterminal (simply a subterfuge to send the GPS output to your screen).
It might be worth reinstalling the driver. If it tells you not to plug the cable in til you are asked to then DON't.
I have the Maptech software already mentioned: Offshore Navigator. This is not their latest offering (Chart Navigator is).
I so much prefer the way tidal information handled on Offshore Navigator that I refuse to leave it.
Although it's easiest to set it all up with NMEA as protocol, I always run it on the Garmin Protocol. I like this because it enables routes, waypoints and tracks to be transfered between GPS and the computer. This means I can build all my routes and stuff with the convenience of a nice computer interface, but once I've loaded them into the GPS I can still navigate them even if the computer goes tits up (which it has on occasion). The version of the RYA/Admiralty system that I had didn't support this download and upload so I jacked it in after a free trial. Maybe the latest version has the capability.
You can maintain all your routes in Offshore navigator. This soon got on my nerves as there's all sorts of subtle edits - like joining two routes - which are impossible. I now export all the routes and maintain them in excel (of all things!)
A cunning aspect is that I wrote a little converter in my excel system so that I can load the same routes into the Fugawi version of the Ordnance Survey maps. I claim that it's useful to be able to put the land map on the screen so that you can use land features to orient yourself, but actually it is just showing off.
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