GPS to USB compatability

[articulate]

Hey kids: check this out. So I have a GPS with only a serial port interface cable, but a laptop with no serial ports; only USB. So I went off to locate a USB-serial adapter at Radio Shack. When that wouldn't work, I searched GARMIN's site for a driver or information or anything that might guide me. I did find that the reason my software (Mapsource and Nat'l Geographic TOPO) won't look at USB ports for a device is that my versions are a little old - old in computer time, not necessarily real-life time. But I can easily download an update to the software, which I'll do tonight.

But GARMIN did email me a response to my tech question, which you can read below. There is a chance that the software update won't work - check it out.

So, I'm wondering if anyone else has had this same problem. Do any of you fall within the 20% SOL-ers? I want to see what anyone else has done to try to fix this issue, open up a little dialog on this funky subject.

Gracias,
Mark

Thank you for contacting Garmin International,

If you do not have a serial connection on your computer, the only option
available to you would be a USB to serial converter cable. The application
of a USB to serial converter is a very delicate issue. The USB to Serial
converter that Garmin is currently offering has been tested on multiple
brands of computers as well as on multiple operating systems. The capability
of any USB to serial converter from any manufacturer to work on any given
machine has about an 80% success rate.

My supervisor has personally done extensive testing on our USB to Serial
converter, as well as converters manufactured by KeySpan and Belkin. The
success rate is approx 80% across the board. The deciding factor seems to be
the configuration of the specific machine. He can take 5 identical
computers, same manufacturer, same operating system, utilized for the same
purposes, so the same software has been installed/removed. These are as
close to five identical machines as he can get. Then since each computer has
had a slightly different life, they have different configurations when it
comes to the Windows Operating systems. He can then take the three different
converters from the three different manufacturer's. In testing varying
levels of compatibility then occurs using each converter on each individual
machine.

The serial to USB converter is a delicate conversion to perform due to the
creation of the Virtual Com Port. The way that Windows then handles this
virtual com port including any other hardware conflicts is up to Windows.
Our customer's experience has paralleled our experience with USB to Serial
interfaces. Factors in the users PC seem to be the limiting factor for
compatibility with one or any of the USB to serial converters.

If you have attempted the Garmin USB to serial converter, and it is not
working for your application. I would recommend returning it to the place of
purchase for a refund. Then I would recommend exploring the USB to Serial
converters produced by KeySpan or Belkin to see if one by another
manufacturer will be compatible with your application.
At this point in time Garmin is the only GPS manufacturer that I am aware of
to offer a USB to serial conversion. In the GPS industry serial
communication with the units is still the standard. Garmin's Part No. is
010-10310-00 and retails for $59.99.

You can locate other USB to Serial Converters at places like Radio Shack,
part no. 26-183 or at http://www.usbgear.com part no. USBG-232 for $22.95.

For those customers who have no serial port on their laptop and the USB to
serial converter solution has failed, there may be another solution. They
may be able to purchase a PCMCIA serial expansion card to give their
computer a true serial port. We have not tested these and it's not a
guaranteed fix. Some of these cards are as little as $114. Here is a list
of a few web sites that carry such cards:

Quatech http://www.quatech.com/public/googpcmciaser.htm
PC Card Resource http://www.pc-card.com/product.cfm?productid=179
Brain Boxes http://www.brainboxes.com/products/serial/pcmcia.asp
SuperLogics http://www.superlogics.com/pcmcia_comm.asp
NexTag
http://www.nextag.com/serv/main/buyer/outpdir.jsp?doSearch=y&search=serial+p
cmcia
Romdas http://www.romdas.com/products/extras/pcmcia.htm
Elan http://www.elan-digital-systems.co.uk/interface/rs232.php
Premier http://www.premierelect.co.uk/pcsinglers232.html
Dpie http://www.dpie.com/pcmcia/ssp100.html

If, you have any further questions please feel free to contact us.

Thank You,
Jake Dahlstrom
Senior Product Support
GARMIN International
800-800-1020
<http://www.garmin.com/>
Fax 1-913-440-5488
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-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Stephens [mailto:jeeps@markdstephens.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 8:07 PM
To: Garmin Technical Support
Subject: Tech support request for GPS 76

Product: GPS 76
Serial Number: 93665885
Software Version: 3.60

Problem:
Can I use a USB port to transfer data to/from the GPS unit (GPS 76S)? I
have a laptop without a 9-prong serial port but plenty of USB ports.
MapSource seems only to want to look at com ports for communication. While I have a USB-Serial adapter, that alone won't do the trick. What do you
think? Many thanks,
Mark

 

[mountainpete]

I have had similar problems... but first I have to say that is the best technical support response I have ever seen in my life - and I have seen a lot of them! Wow!

My solution was simple - I used a different computer and didn't worry about it anymore. I am still planning on getting a new Garmin unit and the new ones are all USB.

Sorry I couldn't add more...

Peter

 

[articulate]

I have had similar problems... but first I have to say that is the best technical support response I have ever seen in my life - and I have seen a lot of them! Wow!

My solution was simple - I used a different computer and didn't worry about it anymore. I am still planning on getting a new Garmin unit and the new ones are all USB.

Sorry I couldn't add more...

Peter

Excellent, Peter. I thought that was superior customer service, too. Like you, I can use a different computer (as in my desktop) but I wanted to be able to load the software on my laptop and use the GPS there as well. Then I noticed I had no serial ports....

Oh well.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[goodtimes]

I'll agree that you recieved probably the best customer service response ever! I am impressed.

 

[GeoRoss]

For this app w/ a Garmin receiver stick with the Keyspan and do not use the Belkin. I have had a lots of problems with the Belkin. Keyspan has always worked like a charm.

Ross

 

[articulate]

For this app w/ a Garmin receiver stick with the Keyspan and do not use the Belkin. I have had a lots of problems with the Belkin. Keyspan has always worked like a charm.

Ross

Hi Ross. thanks for that response. Question: did you also give the GARMIN adapter a whirl?

I'll agree that you recieved probably the best customer service response ever! I am impressed.

Yes, and I believe that used up some serious credits with the customer service quotient-karma.

Cheers, amigos
Mark

 

[gjackson]

I have had the same experience as Ross. Used a Keyspan serial to usb cabe with a Gramin 176. Works really well with one catch -- I use it on a Mac, so drivers are not the same.

cheers

 

[GeoRoss]

Hi Ross. thanks for that response. Question: did you also give the GARMIN adapter a whirl?

No, I was in a bit of a rush to get rolling. Borrowed the Belkin from work. Tried to find the correct drivers for a Mac. I couldn't even find them for a PC. I then had to order the Keyspan. I don't recall if there was a Garmin adaptor at the time I was doing this about 3 yrs ago. Good luck.

Ross

 

[whitethaiger]

Hey Mark, did you get it resolved?
I've to agree with everyone, excellent techsupport reply. And the guy is right, the "virtual com port" issue is a pain. I've spent hours getting a Delorme GPS to work and the problem was the virtual com ports.

On my notebook I use a cheap adapter from 'cables unlimited'. I've used it with Magellan and Garmin GPS's without problems with OziExplorer.

If your software doesn't see the GPS automatically you may want to look into what com port the adapter is using and what the software expects or if you can config it in the software.

Good Luck,

Uwe

 

[articulate]

Hey Mark, did you get it resolved?
I've to agree with everyone, excellent techsupport reply. And the guy is right, the "virtual com port" issue is a pain. I've spent hours getting a Delorme GPS to work and the problem was the virtual com ports.

On my notebook I use a cheap adapter from 'cables unlimited'. I've used it with Magellan and Garmin GPS's without problems with OziExplorer.

If your software doesn't see the GPS automatically you may want to look into what com port the adapter is using and what the software expects or if you can config it in the software.

Good Luck,

Uwe

Hey Uwe....thanks for the response. I just got a different adapter the other day, and I'll be trying it tonight.

I'll keep toying with the software and different cables over time, but hooking up with my notebook isn't critical. I can connect at my desktop without any trouble. Some folks like to have a laptop-GPS connection in the field, however I don't see myself as that geeky...strike that....I mean hardcore. I don't see myself as that hardcore.

Prost!
Mark

 

[whitethaiger]

...Some folks like to have a laptop-GPS connection in the field, however I don't see myself as that geeky...strike that....I mean hardcore. I don't see myself as that hardcore.

Prost!
Mark

There are people like that? (Wait till you see how I navigate when traveling with my truck)

 

[articulate]

Update

Several weeks ago my desktop computer took dive - and I hadn't moved along in finding how to connect my GPS via USB for my secondary computer. Thus, the necessity of getting a GPS connection going for my notebook/laptop became a top priority. Simply put, I took the advice of gjackson and geoross and purchased a Keyspan device. It worked like a charm.

Now I'm a map-loading fool.

Muchas gracias for all the help, boys. I'm in debt. :wavey:

Mark