Using hand held GPS with laptop mapping program

[jwhutch]

Hey Everybody,

This may be a dumb question, but here goes anyway. I have several laptops that I want to be able to use in the vehicles. I also have a Garmin Etrex Legend hand held GPS, (along with the appropriate USB cable), that I want to connect to said computers. I also have Microsoft Streets and trips but the GPS receiver/antenna died on it, (hence one of my reasons for using the Etrex), but I can't get the program to recognize the handheld. I have been watching the various posts about which software for off the beaten path, and haven't decided what to use, (I like the looks of Overland Navigator). So here are my questions:
1. What is needed to interface the Extrex.
2. What is the best additional software, in addition to the microsoft program. I would love for this to be flexible enough to use internationally, (Peru next summer).
3. What about using Mapsource from Garmin. Is the Legend supported?

Thanks for the help in this matter. I have looked around but I was hoping for some consice answers. Thanks much.

Jim

 

[CJCA]

A few thoughts...

If you have the old original style Legend, I think they all used a serial port cable and a serial / USB adaptor cable is needed for newer laptops sans serial ports. At least that was the case with mine. Anyway, my laptop with 2008 Streets & Trips would not recognize my Legend via the adaptor cable until after I installed the driver CD that was included with the adaptor cable. Technically I presume it couldn't recognize the conversion cable without the driver. It wasn't a GPS problem. Perhaps this is the case with yours?

Is your Legend gps serial data format set to NMEA?

Also, if you are only trying one USB port, try the others. Streets & Trips only recognizes one configured port.

 

[rambrush]

It sounds like you may just need to switch to Delorme products. I use my PN20 and laptop via usb topo software and life is good and very usable interface.

 

[jwhutch]

Ok, so setting it to the correct serial setting worked for MS Streets. I am going to check out the Delorme product now. Anyone else have anything for me? Thanks much.