GPS cable ???

Submitted: Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 00:11

ThreadID: 24185 Views:1742 Replies:10 FollowUps:3

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Ozzy

Just bought a new pc that does not have a serial port on it, as a result my Meridan GPS cable won't fit to the pc, I found out I can buy a new cable with a usb plug on it for $120.00 or an adapter for $ 60.00.
Just wondering does anyone know where you can buy the above for a more reasonable cost.
thanks Ozzy

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Reply By: Pluto - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 07:27

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 07:27

You should be able to get a USB serial convertor for much less, just about anywhere.

Just have a look around next ime your near a PC store.

AnswerID: 117488

Reply By: Of Mice & Men - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 07:45

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 07:45

Hi Ozzy,

I have just been through the same proccess, I bought one for $12 from e-bay + I think $6 postage. It included software etc. delivered in a couple of days. I think the search that I used was "usb to serial connector".

Seeya, OM&M.

AnswerID: 117490

Reply By: Keith_A (Qld) - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 09:35

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 09:35

We had the same problem. Any computer store will sell the serial to USB adaptor for $10 - $20 (complete with software).

You also need to know that when you install it, the software creates a 'Virtual' serial port, on the USB port that you plug the adaptor into.
Various parameters (including Com Port Number) are set for this port.
Why is this important ? -

Make sure you always plug it into the same USB port, or else you will need to change the settings on either GPS or Laptop every time, to enable them to communicate.

You may also find that Windows XP wants to install a new 'Pointing Device' - eg it finds a new hardware device, in addition to the adaptor.
You will know if this happens, as your on-screen mouse pointer doesn't correlate to movements of your physical mouse (when the adaptor is plugged in).
Solution to this is to firstly unplug the adaptor, then go into the control panel; system; hardware; device manager - find the extra 'pointing device' and disable it. Do not delete it, or windows will try to install it again, every time you connect the serial/usb adaptor.

The Oziexplorer forum is an excellent source of info on GPS etc - try
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OziUsers-L

All the best with the install.........regards.

AnswerID: 117500

Follow Up By: Willem - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 16:34

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 16:34

I am having exactly the same problem with Windows XP and my GPS.

When going in to Moving Map it wont recognise the port. I have recently had XP overlaid over Windows 98 on my Laptop by a professional computer wiz. Any ideas what I need to do?

Have been reading the GPS and then comparing the co-ordinates with Oziexplorer to get a fix on our position when we have been off the beaten track. It works but is laboriously slow and cumbersome.

FollowupID: 372922

Follow Up By: Member - Kingsley N (SA) - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:50

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:50

Willem,

I had that problem when trying to activate the moving map display in my Oziexplorer CE on the PDA (see other post around here somewhere)
The error message "PORT in use or not available" kept coming up. The mistake that I was making was trying to activate the GPS by using the icon in the PDA. All that is required is to use the command from within Oziexplorer (already running).

I don't know if this helps when using a PC (laptop) linked to a GPS. It certainly cleared up my problem with the PDA.

Kings

FollowupID: 372930

Follow Up By: Willem - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 21:02

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 21:02

Kings

Yeah mate that is what I have been doing. Clicking on the NMEA talk to GPS in Moving Map and it brings up the error message. Maybe I should go to Moving Map Control and start from there. Still a bit of a novice with these things but will go and have a scratch around tomorrow as I will be on the road again. Thanks for your feedback

FollowupID: 372946

Reply By: brett - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 09:53

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 09:53

Bought one off Ebay for $11 from HKG. Was to connect a multimeter up to a laptop for data logging, it didn't work. Plugged it into my modem and it worked though. On closer inspection with a RS232 tester it was not setting the correct pins (such as DSR,DTR & RTS) and was not following the RS232 standard. Went to Jaycar and bought one for $40 and it worked perfectly. It seems these cheap ones do not act like a true serial port. May work for some devices but might not work too. Only one way to find out though.

AnswerID: 117505

Reply By: Gerhardp1 - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 11:03

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 11:03

I have a USB to Serial which works perfectly with my Meridian Colour. Buy one from Jaycar or Dick Smith so if it happened not to work you could return it and try a different one.

Gerhard

AnswerID: 117514

Reply By: timber - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 12:34

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 12:34

$39 at Jaycar

link text

AnswerID: 117522

Reply By: Ozzy - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 15:33

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 15:33

Thanks to all, once again Explore Oz forum saves the day.
Ozzy

AnswerID: 117533

Reply By: Niko - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:23

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:23

Guys, as mentioned before you can get the serial to USB cables from THIS web site!

AnswerID: 117562

Reply By: viz - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 19:11

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 19:11

Just a follow for mac users - Keystone serial to USB seems to be the only one that works for the mac (have not tried it with a GPS though) and one *must* have the correct drivers.

Has anyone used a GPSon a mac using the Keystone?

/viz

AnswerID: 117576