Moving Map????
Submitted: Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:09
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On Patrol
I am about to decide which way to set up the moving map on my notebook!!!
The questions I am asking are:
Do I use an external satellite antenna via USB direct to laptop?
OR
Do I link the notebook to my existing GPS (Garmin map 60c) via a data cable and serial port?
The cable that comes from Garmin to transfer data, restricts placement of note book and only comes in serial port config.
The external antenna gives me un-restricted placement & better reception, but costs twice as much.
Can any (users) comment please.
Reply By: Taz & Milka-Queanbeyan - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:32
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:32
Do you have USB ports in positions that would allow you to resite your laptop ?
On EBay I purchased a serial port to USB port adaptor (for my E-trex GPS) that might help you out.
Cheers ... Taz
AnswerID:
216499
Follow Up By: On Patrol - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:47
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:47
Thanks taz
by the way how did you go locating your trailer shock's. It was you looking???
FollowupID:
476894
Follow Up By: Taz & Milka-Queanbeyan - Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 at 02:01
Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 at 02:01
Yes I was looking. Got great advice from guys on here. Chris provided a link to AL-KO who offer a bolt on package. I will price the package and if its too expensive I will replicate it.
Cheers ... Taz
FollowupID:
476983
Reply By: mike w (WA) - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:38
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:38
I too had to buy a serial to USB adapter for my garmin, makes life easier.
Also, extension USB cables are availabe, ranging in length from a few centimetres to several metres. This will allow easier placement of the GPS and the laptop.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: On Patrol - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:48
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:48
I will
check that one out for sure. Thanks.
FollowupID:
476895
Reply By: Member - Kiwi B - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:41
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:41
I'm using Dell 8200 lappy with Garmin Etrex GPS, and the combo 12v/data cable. Have good tracking in GU Patrol even with GPS sitting between the seats. No external aerial.
I think GPS needs to be on dash to find the sky initially but after that it can be anywhere.
Hopefully combo cable is available for the 60c. Good luck,
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: On Patrol - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:49
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:49
Kiwi the combo is available but restrictive. thanks mate.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: JT (JayTee) - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:52
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 19:52
I've been using a Garmin E-map attached to my HP Notebook via the data cable for the past few years withouth any hassles. So if you already have an existing GPS I can't see the need for you to spend more dough for an external antenna.
AnswerID:
216508
Follow Up By: On Patrol - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 22:40
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 22:40
The data cable costs around $65, and the external antenna costs around $90
so I am still undecided at this moment. One option allows me more flexibility and the other combines my resources. Thanks for your input.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 20:13
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 20:13
Have you a Bluetooth capability with your laptop? You have not canvassed that option so am not sure if you hadn't thought of it or decided not to. Bluetooth GPSs are inexpensive at -/+ $100 and leave you without a wire connection. Wahts more is that if you go for the Sirf chipset fast to acquire connections and also have more satellite channels assuring better connections.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: On Patrol - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 22:33
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 22:33
Thanks
John,
I will
check that out.
FollowupID:
476948
Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 23:21
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 23:21
one like this one Site Link I have a Holux 236Slim but they had some problems with some of them according to some sites. I had it replaced free of charge.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: pjchris - Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 at 23:15
Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 at 23:15
The early GPSlim236's had buggy firmware..
Mine had it and I eventually obtained updated firmware and it's been fine ever since. Only the first six months or so of production were affected, so any purchased recently would be fine.
As far as an external antenna is concerned reception WILL be better with one..especially in thick tree coverage, deep gullies, cities with tall buildings etc.
My GPSlim sits inside my dash permanently connected to power and a serial adaptor /cable for my iPaq with an external antenna on the roof with the cable run inside the roof lining and A-pillar. This way it is out of site, if they steal the antenna it will only cost $30 to replace and the only time I have to wait for a fix is if I disconnect the battery or park in a covered or underground car park.
Peter
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - John and Val W (ACT) - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 20:26
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 20:26
We've used an Etrex for some time, running into a serial port on a small pc. Works
well but the Etrex display is suffering from being on the hot dashboard. This is being replaced by a "mouse" style GPS which is powered through a USB connection, total cost $93. I plan on installing this on the roof, but for now it sits on the dash and works brilliantly. It is a little box about 45mm square x 10 mm thick, magnetic base so put it anywhere and works fine with OziExplorer. This may be a cheap, easy and flexible solution for you too.
John | J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein
Lifetime Member My Profile My Blog Send Message |
AnswerID:
216518
Follow Up By: On Patrol - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 22:32
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 22:32
John
That's what I mean by "External Antenna" as my other option. Thanks mate.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val W (ACT) - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 22:59
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 22:59
Hi On Patrol,
These external devices exist in 2 forms. One is simply an external antenna with a magnetic base and a lead that plugs into you present GPS. The other, which I was refering to, actually consists of the antenna plus the GPS, all in a neat little case with a magnet in the base. These are a complete unit which just plugs into a USB port, no other GPS required. This is possibly a cheaper way to go than buying a proprietry antenna and fitting it to your existing GPS.
Suggest
check out the one/s in the ExploreOz
shop, or at www.twig.com.au.
John | J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein
Lifetime Member My Profile My Blog Send Message |
FollowupID:
476959
Follow Up By: On Patrol - Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 at 16:00
Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 at 16:00
John & Val
Thanks for your input. I went to Johnny Appleseed to-day and got a mouse GPS $115. and it works
well, in fact i get an average of 10 satellites at any time, thats 3 or 4 better than the std map60C.
Thanks again.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Sarg - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 22:45
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 22:45
Give your Vermin the flick & buy a USB Magellan. Problem solved.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 at 11:59
Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 at 11:59
Just my thoughts and experience for you to consider.
It gets down to what you wish to achieve from your setup.
When I bought my new Notebook, I had major problems with the USB/Serial adapter to the extent that I purchased a GPS mouse which came with a USB connection.
That arrangement fixed my immediate problem but I lost the ability to upload and download data between the Notebook and the GPS as I previously used to. And I still had the GPS running "stand alone", sitting right next to the Notebook, but not connected to it.
Then along came a solution from Magellan in the form of a USB interface cable that connected to the Meridian GPS I have. I noticed an accessory on GPSOZ that indicated the USB interface cable for a Magellan Sportrak model also suited the Meridian.
So now I've gone back to the trusty Meridian GPS connected to the Notebook which gives me all the flexibility I used to enjoy.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: On Patrol - Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 at 15:56
Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 at 15:56
thanks Sand Man
I have solved my immediate prob. by using a mouse GPS. these are a better antenna than the std one in my Garmin. They claim it gives a signal in deep gourg's and forest as
well (time will tell). I have noticed I get up to 10 sattelites, the best the map60C gives here is around 6-7.
So thanks again but I am now set up.
On Patrol
FollowupID:
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