We're thinking of buying a new Garmin GPS. We don't need a plotter
because we use our laptop with C-MAP for that. The only way we can
find to buy a Garmin GPS without also paying for the built-in plotter
is to get a 152. When we looked at the Users' Manual for the 152, we
found the NMEA output port (listed as being for an autopilot, but will
work fine with the PC) and two input ports. Problem is, they're noted
as being for a 'Beacon Receiver' and a 'Device with Sonar Output'.
Can we use those lines to upload waypoints from the PC? If so, how?

Akka wrote:
We're thinking of buying a new Garmin GPS. We don't need a plotter
because we use our laptop with C-MAP for that. The only way we can
find to buy a Garmin GPS without also paying for the built-in plotter
is to get a 152. When we looked at the Users' Manual for the 152, we
found the NMEA output port (listed as being for an autopilot, but will
work fine with the PC) and two input ports. Problem is, they're noted
as being for a 'Beacon Receiver' and a 'Device with Sonar Output'.
Can we use those lines to upload waypoints from the PC? If so, how?

I believe most Garmin GPS use the same data in, data out and common for
NMEA output to your pc etc and for GARMIN/GARMIN proprietary format when
up or downloading way points or routes. Use the INTERFACE mode to select.
Dick

Akka wrote:
We're thinking of buying a new Garmin GPS. We don't need a plotter
because we use our laptop with C-MAP for that. The only way we can
find to buy a Garmin GPS without also paying for the built-in plotter
is to get a 152. When we looked at the Users' Manual for the 152, we
found the NMEA output port (listed as being for an autopilot, but will
work fine with the PC) and two input ports. Problem is, they're noted
as being for a 'Beacon Receiver' and a 'Device with Sonar Output'.
Can we use those lines to upload waypoints from the PC? If so, how?

Buy a handheld, there are dozens to choose from.

DP

On Jun 29, 4:50 am, "Dennis Pogson"
wrote:
Akka wrote:
We're thinking of buying a new Garmin GPS. We don't need a plotter
because we use our laptop with C-MAP for that. The only way we can
find to buy a Garmin GPS without also paying for the built-in plotter
is to get a 152. When we looked at the Users' Manual for the 152, we
found the NMEA output port (listed as being for an autopilot, but will
work fine with the PC) and two input ports. Problem is, they're noted
as being for a 'Beacon Receiver' and a 'Device with Sonar Output'.
Can we use those lines to upload waypoints from the PC? If so, how?

Buy a handheld, there are dozens to choose from.

DP

Do you think I should? This is the main navigation device on our full-
time cruising boat, and we rather like having a built-in display at
the nav station indicating things like position and bearing, time and
distance to the next waypoint. I grant you those are echoed on the
laptop and at the helm, but we actually to refer to the mounted unit
pretty often. Also, does that solve my problem about uploading
waypoints directly from the laptop?

Rob

On Jun 28, 8:03 pm, Richard Lane wrote:
Akka wrote:
We're thinking of buying a new Garmin GPS. We don't need a plotter
because we use our laptop with C-MAP for that. The only way we can
find to buy a Garmin GPS without also paying for the built-in plotter
is to get a 152. When we looked at the Users' Manual for the 152, we
found the NMEA output port (listed as being for an autopilot, but will
work fine with the PC) and two input ports. Problem is, they're noted
as being for a 'Beacon Receiver' and a 'Device with Sonar Output'.
Can we use those lines to upload waypoints from the PC? If so, how?

I believe most Garmin GPS use the same data in, data out and common for
NMEA output to your pc etc and for GARMIN/GARMIN proprietary format when
up or downloading way points or routes. Use the INTERFACE mode to select.
Dick

OK, just so I understand: if I want to upload waypoints from the PC, I
just send them on the same serial interface on the computer (COM5 or
whatever) that I'm using to download the nav data from the GPS, using
one of the Garmin GPS input ports? I'm a little confused by your
reference to GARMIN/GARMIN proprietary format for loading waypoints,
as I don't have a Garmin chartplotter, just an ordinary HP laptop.

Rob

In article . com,
Akka wrote:

OK, just so I understand: if I want to upload waypoints from the PC, I
just send them on the same serial interface on the computer (COM5 or
whatever) that I'm using to download the nav data from the GPS, using
one of the Garmin GPS input ports? I'm a little confused by your
reference to GARMIN/GARMIN proprietary format for loading waypoints,
as I don't have a Garmin chartplotter, just an ordinary HP laptop.

Rob


Hmmmm, seems to be a communications failure here..... GPS's talk out
their serial ports in specific "Languages", like NEMA0180, NEMA0182,
NEMA0183, NEMA2000, Garmin/Garmin, ect. Each "Language" may or may
not, be backward compatab;le with any older "Language" depending on
a varity of things. NEMA's up thru 0183, use the same Physical
Layer, but have progressivly more information available, in the
Communication Strings. NEMA's up thru 0183, are Half Duplex
Monodirecional with only ONE Talker, (Master) and many Listener (Slaves)
allowed on each Directional Physical Layer. It is also a Current Loop
type Physical Layer, that can be used to drive an RS232 Serial Input on
a Computer, with Sort Cable runs, and minimum connections.

Garmin/Garmin uses the a Company Specific "Language" that isn't
compatable with ANY of the NEMA "Languages" but will usually run on the
Physical Layer of the GPS's output and some, if not most, Computers
Software packages can understand the Garmin/Garmin "Language", which is
a true Full Duplex Bidirectional Master/Slave protocol. Garmin has
designed the Protocol (Language) in such a way that Software that uses
it to communicate, are very efficent in moving data, to, and from, the
GPS's with a minimum of overhead, and Bandwidth used. On later Garmin
GPS's the complete Display and GUI "Graphical User Interface" is
available on the attached computer, via Software.

Akka wrote:
On Jun 29, 4:50 am, "Dennis Pogson"
wrote:
Akka wrote:
We're thinking of buying a new Garmin GPS. We don't need a plotter
because we use our laptop with C-MAP for that. The only way we can
find to buy a Garmin GPS without also paying for the built-in
plotter is to get a 152. When we looked at the Users' Manual for
the 152, we found the NMEA output port (listed as being for an
autopilot, but will work fine with the PC) and two input ports.
Problem is, they're noted as being for a 'Beacon Receiver' and a
'Device with Sonar Output'. Can we use those lines to upload
waypoints from the PC? If so, how?

Buy a handheld, there are dozens to choose from.

DP

Do you think I should? This is the main navigation device on our
full- time cruising boat, and we rather like having a built-in
display at the nav station indicating things like position and
bearing, time and distance to the next waypoint. I grant you those
are echoed on the laptop and at the helm, but we actually to refer to
the mounted unit pretty often. Also, does that solve my problem
about uploading waypoints directly from the laptop?

Rob

Using a handheld Garmin connected to the laptop's serial port, (which
probably won't exist if it's a newish laptop) involves changing the
input/output parameters on the Garmin setup from NMEA to Garmin if you want
to upload/download waypoints, routes, tracks etc. This takes about 30
seconds. You then have to change the I/O parameters back to NMEA for normal
position-fix and navigation. Since you only upoad/download waypoints
etc.infrequently, this is usually no hastle.

The latest Garmin handhelds also have a USB connection facility, which,
depending on whose software you are using on the laptop, transmits and
receives both waypoints etc. AND position fix information in Garmin mode,
using PVT instead of NMEA. With these, not only do you not need a
USB-to-serial converter for the laptop, but you do not need to change the
instrument's I/O setup as in the first parargraph either.

If you go for the built-in display type, you would have to ascertain that
the interface is compatible with your laptop and software, buy a USB-serial
converter (unless your laptop already has a serial port), pick up the
connection to/from the Garmin at the most convenient location behind the
bulkhead/interior joinery, connect also to battery ground, etc, etc, it can
be done, but the instrument can also be stolen whilst the boat is
unattended.

Me? I like to take my laptop and handheld Garmin home with me!

Dennis.

"Dennis Pogson" wrote in
:

buy a USB-serial
converter (unless your laptop already has a serial port),

http://www.emtcompany.com/products/a...to-serial-db9-
adapter-cable.htm?gclid=CJz44JnOho0CFRIXZAodjhoPoQ

$10 - free shipping - nicely shielded for use around radios.

Larry
--
While in Mexico, I didn't have to press 1 for Spanish.

It just isn't fair.

Here's follow-up for anybody reading this thread: We bought and
installed the Garmin GPS 152. Once we got it going, we could download
and read navigation data to either our C-MAP program or to MaxSea,
using NMEA format. It turns out our C-MAP software doesn't support
uploading waypoints, but MaxSea does, and once we figured out how to
get the software to find the serial port, we were able to upload
waypoints fine, using the NMEA for that as well. This was just as
well, because MaxSea doesn't support Garmin interface formats (several
other manufacturers, yes; Garmin, no).

Thanks to everybody for your help!

Rob