GPS and PC's

[bidkev]

How do you guys with "benchtop" GPS dl/ul to/from your pcs? Do you take a laptop to the boat or do you take the GPS off the boat and have a separate 12v power supply near the computer?

I have a Furuno 1650 WF but I'm led to believe that any length of cable over 10m (to the computer) and the data stands a risk of being corrupted so it seems I have to take the GPS off the boat.

The cable supplied, has a fitting for the GPS but nothing on the other end? Did you guys who use PCs in conjunction with your GPS have to get one from the marketer or did it come supplied? is it usb or usb2?

Also, are there any freebie softwares for doing this? I've googled and can't seem to find any, but I thought there was a thread when I first came to the site, saying that there was some?

cheers

kev

[Morlers]

On the same score, does anyone know where can you buy a 7 pin socket (to connect to a Garmin 126) so as to make up a cable?

To buy a Garmin cable will set you back around $80 (a bit steep for what you get) but really all you need is an old mouse and cable plus plug, cut off the mouse, join a 7pin socket to cable leaving two wires for a 12v power supply. Should only cost a few dollars. Sounds easy but the hard part is getting the right connector to back of GPS. I have tried Dick Smith and Jaycar to avail. Any ideas?

:) :)

Morlers

[davo]

I run a little Garmin 12 and I bought a PC cable for about $30.
I use EasyGPS which is free download and also Fishing Log.
Fishing Log can communcate with EasyGPS so I edit my waypoints on EasyGPS and then patch then across to Fishing Log.

In the near future I'm looking at updating to a Garmin 60C map handheld which uses USB communication and EasyGPS does that too.

[SeaHunt]

Hi Kev,
Here is the link for EasyGPS.
http://www.easygps.com/download.asp
If it is an old style serial connection to the PC you will be able to go more than 10 metres, maybe up to 20.

[Heath]

Morlers

I have a Garmin 128 ( almost the same as 126 ) it has the 7 pin round mini DIN plug. The ones you get from dick smith do fit, but they bend Pin 1 which is the Positive power pin. So thats no good. YOu can buy good quality mini Din's from some electrical stores. I actually found one at work one day that fits the unit perfectly.

Your right they are expinsive for what they are. I made mine for nothing, just out of old bits n pieces at work. 9 pin serial plug, a bit of Cat 5 cable, an old power supply from a 12v 800ma Nokia phone, a switch box & 500ma fuse. You will have to file down the mini din plug so it fits into the unit though and put a small notch in it. I also cut down the sheild off an audio plug & fitted it over the mini Din so its nice and stable.
I only used the 4 pins needed. Pos, Neg, NMEA in, NMEA out. Works like a charm.

Kev,
Give it a try mate & see how it goes. I reckon you will get more than 10m. You will need a 12v supply & a D9 pin female serial connector.

I'll dig up a URL that shows you the interconnections.

[Heath]

Here is the wiring diagram. Note that the pins on a D9 serial plug are numbered.

Info for Garmin units can be found at
http://www.garmin.com/specs/pcwiring.pdf

[smerl]

Kev

I have a Garmin GPSMap 172C. When I installed it on the boat, I installed a 9 pin serial connector to the data cable and mounted that in the boat as well. I also bought a second cable ($42) from Garmin and hooked that up to a 12V power supply from Dick Smith in the house.

When I am away somewhere, I can just hook the laptop straight up to the unit in the boat and when I am at home, i remove the unit from the boat and download/upload to my desktop.

Cheers

Smerl

[whiteman]

Talk to these guys, they are experts. http://www.gpsoz.com.au/

[bidkev]

Thanks guys for the info, urls and diagrams. This site is the bees knees.

cheers

kev

[NQCairns]

Morles I got mine here: http://www.gpsoz.com.au/Garmin%20Plugs.htm

Edit: that would be right everything changes I guess the link no longer works, it was a long time ago, I am sure there would be a link at the gpsoz site to the plugs somewhere still.

[bidkev]

Furuno isn't listed on easygps :-(

kev the inconsoleable

[NQCairns]

Kev:
Here is a list of from my favourites you may get lucky, furono's are a black art to me.

http://www.lexicon.net/firstwaypoint/gps/links.htm
http://www.terrainmap.com/index.html#top
http://www.ncc.up.pt/gpsman/
http://www.gpstm.com/
http://www.maptrax.com.au/

They may lead you somewhere helpfull???

[Morlers]

Thanks Heath and NQ. I appreciate your input. I'll see what I can do.

:) :)

Morlers

[whichway]

I've got a Lowrance and I looked at a lot of GPS software. The local product Oziexplorer was the best I could find. If you search Google in Australian sites only, it is pretty easy to find and download. I only use the shareware version, and I got a mate's scanned in map (in B&W BMP format) and it all works well.

Good luck with your sounder

Regards

[bidkev]

Thanks for all the info so far guys. I found that freebie GPSU 4.15 is the only (free) prog that has been tested with the furuno 1650 series. It only allows 100 waypoints in the free version but that will give me enough to play around with and familiarise myself with the process.

I've made my data wire up as per Heath's posted diagram now all I need is power. I have a Super Cheap power pack/jump starter that I will try which has a cig lighter socket. Do I leave the earth disconnected or should I really try another way of providing (earthed) power?

cheers

kev

[Heath]

The earth on the DB9 serial connector is the same earth as the power source ;)

I would certainly have it fused if you plan to use one of them jump starters. 5A is plenty.

I would also DL Oziexplorer & see it will work with your GPS. Try it in NMEA mode [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]

[bidkev]

<snip>

I would also DL Oziexplorer & see it will work with your GPS. Try it in NMEA mode [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]

Thanks Heath. I'm up and running now and have managed to download 100 waypoints with GPSU 4.15.

Although Oziexplorer should work in NMEA mode, I don't seem able to master the software. I get the impression that it won't download waypoints unless a map is installed, but I'm sure I'm wrong. I've read the help file over and over but can't get it to download. Can you help me out here?

Also, is there a programme that will copy C maps from the GPS to the PC? I've googled without success.

TIA

kev

[mr fisher]

hi yust testing some thing

[snelly1971]

[quote=bidkev;412909]Thanks for all the info so far guys. I found that freebie GPSU 4.15 is the only (free) prog that has been tested with the furuno 1650 series. It only allows 100 waypoints in the free version but that will give me enough to play around with and familiarise myself with the process.

I've made my data wire up as per Heath's posted diagram now all I need is power. I have a Super Cheap power pack/jump starter that I will try which has a cig lighter socket. Do I leave the earth disconnected or should I really try another way of providing (earthed) power?

cheers


I recently had 30 000 Marks converted from Furuno Data to Garmin Data by Furuno in Queensland, They use GPSU and the version that i also downloaded for free converted more than 100 waypoints...PM me your email address and i will try and email you the full GPSU program


Mick

[datamile]

There's some UK software here. Scan in and build your own maps.

http://www.bettersoftware.co.uk/bsgps/BSGPS.aspx.

Hopefully soon lightwieght PCs like eec pc 701 with its ram disks will allow people to have functioning PCs providing full GPS mapping with usb receivers, and other pc functions for less than half the price of a chartplotter. Sure you can do it with laptops now,but their disks won't take the pounding.

[Heath]

Datamile,
Have you heard of Bart PE ? You could load it up off a USB thumb drive & boot off it & have all the functionality of windows without the need for a HDD.

Problem solved.

[whichway]

Hi

The eee is a potential great idea for boats. Any idea how to make it more water resistant.

Whichway

[Pirate_Pete_Tas]

Datamile,
Have you heard of Bart PE ? You could load it up off a USB thumb drive & boot off it & have all the functionality of windows without the need for a HDD.

Problem solved.

I am toying with the idea at the moment. I want to make up a remote controlled under water camer or ROV to see the bottom etc. It will need a PC to run & record the Video. My thoughts are an oil bath system where the whole PC bar the screen & keyboard are sitting in oil. Baby oil looks the go at the moment as it doesnt absorb water. Just GOOGLE oil cooled PC & see what you get. Make it up in an ally box with cooling fins on the out side, use a wireless keyboard & mouse & away you go.

[Pirate_Pete_Tas]

Once the PC is in the boat then you can run this.

http://www.drdepth.se/

Map the bottom in 3D as you go of your favorite spots