BajaTaco
Swashbuckler
I have been using a DeLorme PN-20 along with DeLorme's mapping software for quite some time and it's great. The PN-20 (and lately the newer PN-40) are fantastic, compact, handheld units for non-motorized travel. When in my truck, I like to plug the PN-20 into my convertible notebook to see my position and the maps on the big screen. It's easy to get spoiled in a hurry. 
However, I also have Ozi Explorer mapping software, as well as some others that I like to use for different things. I'm also doing some beta testing for a new mapping product called Overland Navigator. But I was having trouble getting the PN-20 to work with anything other than the DeLorme software. For one thing, a lot of mapping apps require an NMEA connection using a COM port (not a USB port, which the DeLorme uses). My notebook doesn't even have a serial port connection on it (unless you buy an accessory).
So I'm posting this in hopes that people encountering the same trouble will find it helpful.
1. The first thing you need to do is get the DeLorme USB connection to speak to your software via a COM port. To accomplish this, DeLorme has a serial port emulator that is available for download for free at their website.
2. After you install the emulator, you can select the ports that you want it to use. It will allow up to three, so you can use your GPS for sending info to three different programs at once, if you choose to.
3. Windows Vista issue: If you have User Account Control turned on, Vista will not let the emulator work with any other mapping applications. I'm not sure of the cause of this. I learned about the issue from the DeLorme user forum. If you turn off UAC, it will work, but supposedly only with the 32-bit version of Vista, and not the 64-bit version. Hopefully DeLorme will come up with a solution to allow their emulator to work with the Vista UAC turned on.
4. If you are familiar with Franson GPSGate software, the DeLorme emulator is similar in that it will allow three virtual COM ports to be used simultaneously. This allows you to run a couple of different programs at once, with uninterrupted GPS signal and tracking, etc. For example, you can be running a street navigation program with auto-routing at the same time as Ozi Explorer with hi-res aerial DOQQ maps showing your position and track. You can switch back and forth as needed. Additionally, the DeLorme software doesn't require a COM port (it uses USB) so you can run that one too.
However, I also have Ozi Explorer mapping software, as well as some others that I like to use for different things. I'm also doing some beta testing for a new mapping product called Overland Navigator. But I was having trouble getting the PN-20 to work with anything other than the DeLorme software. For one thing, a lot of mapping apps require an NMEA connection using a COM port (not a USB port, which the DeLorme uses). My notebook doesn't even have a serial port connection on it (unless you buy an accessory).
So I'm posting this in hopes that people encountering the same trouble will find it helpful.
1. The first thing you need to do is get the DeLorme USB connection to speak to your software via a COM port. To accomplish this, DeLorme has a serial port emulator that is available for download for free at their website.
2. After you install the emulator, you can select the ports that you want it to use. It will allow up to three, so you can use your GPS for sending info to three different programs at once, if you choose to.
3. Windows Vista issue: If you have User Account Control turned on, Vista will not let the emulator work with any other mapping applications. I'm not sure of the cause of this. I learned about the issue from the DeLorme user forum. If you turn off UAC, it will work, but supposedly only with the 32-bit version of Vista, and not the 64-bit version. Hopefully DeLorme will come up with a solution to allow their emulator to work with the Vista UAC turned on.
4. If you are familiar with Franson GPSGate software, the DeLorme emulator is similar in that it will allow three virtual COM ports to be used simultaneously. This allows you to run a couple of different programs at once, with uninterrupted GPS signal and tracking, etc. For example, you can be running a street navigation program with auto-routing at the same time as Ozi Explorer with hi-res aerial DOQQ maps showing your position and track. You can switch back and forth as needed. Additionally, the DeLorme software doesn't require a COM port (it uses USB) so you can run that one too.
