Just installed a BU-353 GPS ant.

[Bonzai]

Have finally got it successfully connected to my laptop PC. Took all day long, trying to do as instructions dictated. Finally working after going to their website and searching for driver updates. Apparently my Windows 8 OS was the problem. Works like a champ now. Even getting fix in middle of my living room . I have Sea Clear II app for charts. Anyone have knowledge of good free or reasonably priced PC apps suitable for coastal recreational sailing? I had the one from Navionics on my last computer...the one that just bit the dust! I think it was just a trip planning tool tho... I want this to be a back up for cockpit chartplotter. I saw some info one one app that tied in the radar with the PC but don't remember where. Think it was pretty pricey tho. Thanks!

 

[sailormanbigd]

so why don't you tell us what you had to do that took all day long? Maybe we can learn something from your install. Sorry, not plugged into Apps, but I think there is alot of them like one for anchor alarm, etc.

 

[justsomeguy]

Have you thought about OpenCPN? It's freeware.

I too am very interested to hear what you needed to do to get Win8 to comply.

USB or serial?

 

[Bonzai]

The all day part was trying to figure out why it wasn't working after reinstalling time after time according to directions. I finally noticed Windows 8 wasn't mentioned anywhere in the instructions so assumed Win8 came out after the published drivers. Guess so. Had to find new updates for Windows 8 drivers at usglobalsat.com. It uses a "USB to Serial" virtual COM link set up. The install is just the utility and driver software. The hardware part is just plug into USB port. Configuring the correct port was a pain. It wanted to use Port 1 and I have 1 and 2 already in use. Found how to change that in device properties eventually. I am normally abnormally tech challenged so proud of my little successes...lol!

 

[Bonzai]

Have you thought about OpenCPN? It's freeware.

I too am very interested to hear what you needed to do to get Win8 to comply.

USB or serial?

Can anyone advise on how to import charts to OpenCPN?

 

[justsomeguy]

The all day part was trying to figure out why it wasn't working after reinstalling time after time according to directions. I finally noticed Windows 8 wasn't mentioned anywhere in the instructions so assumed Win8 came out after the published drivers. Guess so. Had to find new updates for Windows 8 drivers at usglobalsat.com. It uses a "USB to Serial" virtual COM link set up. The install is just the utility and driver software. The hardware part is just plug into USB port. Configuring the correct port was a pain. It wanted to use Port 1 and I have 1 and 2 already in use. Found how to change that in device properties eventually. I am normally abnormally tech challenged so proud of my little successes...lol!

Congratulations! I was disheartened to read on Globalsat's site that Win8 wouldn't work with their puck (or vice-versa), but you've given me some hope.

Download the proper raster charts from NOAA.gov or wherever, into a new folder, and make note of the path to the folder, e.g. C/users/bonzai/downloads...etc. Maybe copy the path to the clipboard?
Open the program, click on the little wrench in the toolbar of OpenCPN, click charts, and paste the path to the folder in the bottom window.

Or read this: http://opencpn.org/ocpn/installing_charts

 

[Chris Patterson]

--I am normally abnormally tech challenged so proud of my little successes...lol!--

I love quotes like that. (That wasn't an insult)..

 

[Bonzai]

Thanks justsomeguy! Chris, wife says I am full of fortune cookies...lol! Among other things.....

 

[Bonzai]

Justsomeguy, just finished adding charts to OpenCPN per your instructions. Works great. Thanks again