GPS/computer interface

capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,946
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
I would like to install a GPS at the chart table to give me course, speed, etc which can be easily connected to a computer via USB.
The present antenna connection there is a BNC connector from a Garmin antenna for a GPS 152.
Though I would like to use the info from the GPS mounted at the chart table for a computer nav program, I do not want the computer to be the only source of GPS information at the chart table.
Does anybody have a simple suggestion that won't break the bank?
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
Your BIN connector is a radio frequency (RF) type connection so you will find that much more difficult to interface with the computer. A GPS puck is the easiest solution. They output NMEA test strings that most programs can read.
 
capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,946
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
I guess I wasn't clear.
Can anybody suggest a GPS unit that I can install at the chart table that will send GPS info to a computer via USB? It would be nice to use the already installed antenna, but if not I'm sure any GPS unit will have an antenna available, so that's not the problem.
I've already got a chartplotter at the helm and another one in the aft cabin (I sleep with one eye open, so I KNOW when we are not on course...grrrr), so the GPS at the chart table need not be fancy. I won't be doing any navigating on it, only taking info for the log entries, etc.
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
capta said:
Can anybody suggest a GPS unit that I can install at the chart table that will send GPS info to a computer via USB?
Click to expand
kloudy1's already set you on the right course.

image.jpeg
 
capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,946
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
justsomeguy said:
kloudy1's already set you on the right course.

View attachment 121584
Click to expand
It does not appear that this unit has a screen which will display the current GPS information. For us the computer nav program is just for teaching and fun; I need a dedicated GPS unit installed at the chart table that can send info to the computer.
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
capta said:
It does not appear that this unit has a screen which will display the current GPS information. For us the computer nav program is just for teaching and fun; I need a dedicated GPS unit installed at the chart table that can send info to the computer.
Click to expand
You're familiar with the programs OpenCPN or Google Earth, correct? They're free, and will display your lat/lon from the puck.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
He has said this TWICE:

I do not want the computer to be the only source of GPS information at the chart table.

He is looking for a GPS unit with a display, that can also send the GPS info via USB to the laptop. Many of the new handhelds support USB, but not as an NMEA output. The Current Garmin GPSmap 64 with USB will do this for $250 retail.
 
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capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,946
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
justsomeguy said:
You're familiar with the programs OpenCPN or Google Earth, correct? They're free, and will display your lat/lon from the puck.
Click to expand
There are so many GPS units out there I had hoped a few of you would recommend units you are happy with as a GPS unit and could send the GPS information to a computer via USB.
I do not want a computer sliding around the chart table while sailing. I do not want to build or buy some holder to secure a computer to the chart table, to display something which a much smaller, installed, dedicated marine GPS unit (which operates on mA of 12vdc not several amps of 18vdc) can display.
 
capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,946
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Jackdaw said:
He has said this TWICE:

I do not want the computer to be the only source of GPS information at the chart table.

He is looking for a GPS unit with a display, that can also send the GPS info via USB to the laptop. Many of the new handhelds support USB, but not as an NMEA output. The Current Garmin GPSmap 64 with USB will do this for $250 retail.
Click to expand
Thank you. I guess my 'old timer's disease' is affecting my ability to communicate in English. Do you think the Garmin GPSmap 64 antenna will work inside the boat? I haven't had a chance to see if it can accept an external antenna.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
capta said:
Thank you. I guess my 'old timer's disease' is affecting my ability to communicate in English. Do you think the Garmin GPSmap 64 antenna will work inside the boat? I haven't had a chance to see if it can accept an external antenna.
Click to expand


Yes. The Garmin helical antenna they use in these GPSmap devices is VERY GOOD. When I ran product planning for Magellan I hated these units.
 
Gunni

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
I was using a Garmin handheld GPS (GPS12?) to provision global location to a laptop on my nav table in1996 - the days of serial port (RS 236?). So yes, it will work unless you have a bunch of metal overhead to attenuate the signal.
 
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Brian D

Brian D

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Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
I have two devices that I use on my boat. The first is at the helm and is connected to the autopilot. It is an older GPS12 by Garmin. It has a 4-pin connector on the backside. Two for power and two for data. It presents to me the info I like to have at the helm to include lat/long, COG, SOG, and a few time-based data.

The second unit is also a Garmin, but it is the GPS72. I have that at the VHF. Although it gives me data like the GPS12, I have it tucked away behind the VHF so I do not see that data. It is connected to the VHF for DSC operations. It too has a 4-pin connector, same as the GPS12.

Although different devices, the pin out lets me switch if I need to. These can also be connected to a PC if needed.
 
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Flint

Flint

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Mar 16, 2015
1
PaceShip PY-23 Kingston
I have a Garmin Montana 600 with LakeVu HD installed. It will talk via USB to my PC laptop using a program called PolarView. Then download real digitized charts from the NOAA website into Polar View and the Garmin shows your position laid onto the chart. It's pretty sweet. There is an interface program called Garmin Spanner which runs in the background.

The beauty is that the Garmin is a great unit for the car or a hike through the outback. So you're not just getting a toy for the boat, but with the NOAA charts in Polar View it's like having a chart plotter too.

Garmin Montana will cost you $500. Polar View $30.
cheers
 
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