Connecting gps to laptop for using Ozi Explorer moving maps

Hi Bruce, the only cables are Power/data cable and an aerial cable, to my knowledge there are no means of connecting the gps and laptop so they can speak to each other.
Cheers rev's

REV


Your data cable should plug into your laptop.

What type of plug is on you data cable - serial or USB

If it is serial and you only have USB on your laptop you can purchase an adaptor. GPSOZ have them and they are not expensive.



Tjilpi

The data cable doesn't plug into the laptop. going by following treads I need to purchase a connectiong cable as the GPS has a 7 pin plug connector which isn't compatible with the puter

Cheers REv's

Also here is some tips on confirming NMEA output from Garmin 128...

Outputting NMEA

Trick will be to match settings on the device with those in OziExplorer Configuration (FILE - CONFIGURATION) - under GPS and Com tabs.

Cheers
Greg

Hi Greg thanks for your reply. I just don't know where to start. I have a inspiron 6400 Dell laptop. The gps has no means of pluging into the computer, it only has an aerial cable and a Power/data cable.
I may need to visit a Gps saleperson and hope they can offer some way of connecting laptop & GPS
Cheers Revs

Yes, a cable will be the first step - I am not familiar with G 128 so not sure if it is usb or serial. I am also not familiar with Dell laptop so not sure if it has serial or usb connections. You may end up needing a serial to usb (or visa versa) converter which will add to the fun!

It maybe just easier to purchase a cheap USB GPS mouse (assuming your laptop has usb) and save your self a lot of time and money. These can be purchased for ~$100 and may prove cheaper than a Garmin cable plus adapter(if required).

Good luck
.
Cheers
Greg

hi Greg
looking at my computer it has USB. Maybe I'll take on your suggestion of the cheaper USB GPS mouse. Just one question, as silly as I may sound. do you know how it works, does it pickup the satalite and send the signal back to the computer? thus the moving map. Hope this doesn;t sound too wird.

Thanks again Rev's

Likely the cable conecting the GPS to the puter will be seriel so you will also need a seriel to usb adapter which is readily available

and basically it works like this
- the GPS knows where it is
- OZI has maps that you have loaded and referenced so OZI knows where all the coordinates are on the map
The GPS tells the computer (ozi) where you are so OZI can tell you where you are on the map.

Strongly suggest you try and find someone that knows about it locally
While it isnt rocket science there are a few things you need to know and it is best being shown them I was frustrated as hell at first

Thanks Alan,
I'll have to leave it untill tomorrow now and have a closer look at the Gps. This is a real education for me.
Cheers Rev's

Hi Rev's,
I have a Garmin 128GPS and have used it with my laptop running OziExplorer.
To do that you need the Garmin cable for using the GPS in a car. It has the 7 pin garmin plug and bare ends at the other end.
The thicker red and black wires go to the Car power (cig lighter, whatever socket you use)
The thin blue, black and brown wires need to be wired to a 9 pin 'D' type socket plug. Ignore the yellow, white and green wire - they are not used - just insulate their ends if you don't wish to cut them off.
You now need to purchase a USB to serial cable. It has a USB plug on one end and a 9 pin 'D' pin connector on the other. There is some electronics inside the 'D' connector and a LED that shows when its doing something. My cable came from a computer shop, got it some years ago but they should be still available.

The connections for the blue, black & brown wire to the 'D' socket are on the net somewhere, google for Garmin128 serial connection. If you have problems finding that contact me and I'll open the plug and check the wiring - can't remember what I done several years ago :-)

This works fine once you set the correct port # and the correect GPS in the OziExplorer settings.
Klaus

Hi Klaus,
thank you its good to speak to someone woth the same setup. Now I must try and find a computer shop that can help us out.
How can I contact you if need be?

Thanks for your help.
Rev's

Rev's, follow ups to my follow up go to my email and I read them there. I usually don't read posts here that have dropped off the page.
You could also email: norbert3008atmsn.com - replace the at with the symbol. I'm in Perth, BTW
Klaus

Hi Klaus, thanks for the info I let you know how we go.
Regards Rev's

Hi Klause,
I spent most of today running around, phoning many computer & electronic suppliers. I found that there aren't too many out there that have a qlue what I'm trying to do. Also because I have a marine/land GPS, Garmin wouldn't supply to a store that doesn't stock Marine units. So then I had to locate a marine shop that garmin would deal with. Finally after many hours of frustration I have on order a Garmin LE26 USB to serial cable. Now I hope I have the correct lead, should have it within the next few days. So time will tell. Thanks for your assistance.
Cheers Mary Anne

Hi Klause,
I spent most of today running around, phoning many computer & electronic suppliers. I found that there aren't too many out there that have a qlue what I'm trying to do. Also because I have a marine/land GPS, Garmin wouldn't supply to a store that doesn't stock Marine units. So then I had to locate a marine shop that garmin would deal with. Finally after many hours of frustration I have on order a Garmin LE26 USB to serial cable. Now I hope I have the correct lead, should have it within the next few days. So time will tell. Thanks for your assistance.
Cheers Mary Anne

Thanks Mikee5, Great to speak to someone with a similar set up. You guys have been a great help. Now to find a computer shop that can set me up with the right connections.
Cheers Rev's

Hi Mikee5, I spent most of today running around, phoning many computer & electronic suppliers. I found that there aren't too many out there that have a qlue what I'm trying to do. Also because I have a marine/land GPS, Garmin wouldn't supply to a store that doesn't stock Marine units. So then I had to locate a marine shop that garmin would deal with. Finally after many hours of frustration I have on order a Garmin LE26 USB to serial cable. Now I hope I have the correct lead, should have it within the next few days. So time will tell. Thanks for your assistance.
Cheers Mary Anne

Thanks for the warning, I will remember your advise.
Cheers Mary Anne