All,

Does anybody here have a Nuvi 550?
I'm planning to buy one, only that I need an experimental proof of it supporting a feature I need... OK, I'm 99% sure that it does (seems like all Nuvis do, at least 255 and 265 did) but I want to make 100% sure.
Basically, the feature is an ability to supply live GPS data to a Windows PC application. So if you have the 550, could you pls take a minute to do an experiment for me?

1. First, you have to install Franson GPSGate (they give you a 14-days trial license absolutely free, and I didn't hear anybody complaining of malware/trojans because of it). The software could be used to translate Garmin's proprietary proto into NMEA (the proto understood by all major PC mapping software suites like MS Streets and Trips etc.).
I suggest you plug the GPS unit into the PC during installation so it's detected on the fly. If it doesn't, try going to GPSGate's main screen -> Input, choose "Garmin USB" as input device.
Then, go to main screen -> Output and add a "Virtual COM port" as output.

2. The GPS device should be tricked into starting to supply the live data. To do so:
- plug the USB cable off
- turn GPS unit on (running on battery)
- press and hold battery icon for ~10 sec (now you're in Setup screen)
- plug USB cable in
- press Exit on the device.

3. Now go to GPSGate setup screen -> Input again. Look at the status message. If it reads some error (like "Not connected"), try clicking Close/Open.

If you see a message like "GPS present but no position" in status area, we've already succeeded Well, you might even see a "GPS data with valid position" if your GPS unit is picking up signal in your place

If you happen to have some NMEA-compliant software like Streets'n'Trips, StreetAtlas or whatever: does it pick up the NMEA data from the virtual port you've set up on step 1? (if you don't, no worries; we've already seen GPSGate recongizing the device)

Of course, I'm eager to hear even about negative experience, if the experiment failed for you.

Thanks in advance,
-andy
PS. If interested, there is a detailed thread on the matter on this forum: http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/2453-car-handheld-gps-device-laptop-gps-source

Not all Nuvis do. There was a discussion here about the 650 just a few days ago and it does not output its GPS signal.

...ken...

Ooops, then I definitely need the experiment
BTW, could you pls point me where this thread is? Site search does not give anything on the matter...

Thx,
-andy

Nuvi 650 discussed in this thread;

http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/2745-how-record-gps-route-load-into-google-earth#post20604

Terry

Sorry about that! The reason you were unable to find it via the "Google Site Search" is because while it searches the site perfectly, it doesn't search the "General Discussions" section. The "General Discussions" forum is only available to logged in members, and Google in unable to spider that one specific area of the forum.

However, you could use a search engine built into the forum software. This search engine searches even the "General Discussions" section. To use this search just append /search.php to the domain name, so it looks like this: laptopgpsworld.com/search.php . However, this search engine has it's own limitations. IIRC the searched words must be longer than 3 characters. If you search for "Nuvi 650", it would look up posts with "Nuvi", but it would ignore posts with "650".

Thanks for looking it up. I tried to look it up, too, but I failed.

I was wondering why I couldn't find it! I had to search under my posts as I could not remember what section it was in.

Terry

Terry, did you have a 550? Or a 750?

...ken...

I have a 750 and 5000. The 750 can output GPS data and I'm sure the 5000 could if it could be switched from power to computer without removing the USB connection. I had a 200c but did not test it properly. If I get a chance I will retest it.

Terry

Guys,

Looks like 550 can do this! I've asked the similar question on another forum, and there was a guy with 550 who've confirmed this:
Nuvi 550, anyone? - Garmin Nuvi Forum


Thanks everybody nevertheless,
-andy

Hi Andy,

Thanks for sharing that with us so we'll know for next time.

...ken...

What is really interesting is the 550(?) showing a usable screen in the screen shot. This is not what I experienced with the 750 and the steps are the same.

Terry

That's the way my eTrex Legend HCx works, too. Even when it's connected to the laptop and feeding the GPS signal to it, it still has a fully functional display and I can use it normally. So, obviously Garmin can do it if they choose to.

That was how I tested to see if there might be a possible delay between the GPS receiver and the map software when we were originally discussing the jumpy map redrawing and positional delay that we were seeing.

Using the eTrex for the GPS receiver in that test made it clear that the delay was inside the receivers, not in the transmission from the receiver to the laptop. The map displays on the eTrex's screen and the laptop's screen were in perfect sync. It was kind of neat to see.

...ken...

However, all the Nuvis I've tested do not have this feature. Does this mean they dropped it part way through the Nuvi line?

Terry

With Garmin who can tell? Especially when there are already a gajillion or so Nuvi models and, it seems, one new model appearing each week.

...ken...

Well, I've also experimented with Nuvis 255W and 265T; both were able to feed data through GPSGate but only 265T was able to show the map on its screen... Looks like a bug'o'feature which Garmin fixes in some firmware releases (and doesn't, in other ones).

Hmm... I've tried the eTrex Venture HC (that's the cheapest one) but didn't notice any obvious lags when driving with a laptop+eTrex...

-andy

Hi Andy,

The delay I've refered to is not very noticable. You really need to be looking for it. It all arose from a discussion with another user who was really bothered by what he called a "jumpy" display. It's one of those deals that's always there to some degree and which is so minor that most people don't even notice it. The vast majority of those of us who do notice it aren't the least bit bothered by it because it's so minor.

...ken...

This worked. However, I changed computers, reinstalled GpsGate to new computer, added license for 2.6, used the same steps, but does not work this time. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

Shall we assume you mean using a Nuvi to provide a GPS signal to your computer worked before?

After you put the Nuvi in test mode and connect it to the computer (and select exit) the GPS data is on a particular USB port. You must use the GPS Gate wizard to find that port (Search for Garmin USB Devices). When it finds the Nuvi, you can use one of the Virtual COM ports listed on the Output tab as the input for your program ( the one listed as a Garmin emulator if you are using nRoute).

Terry

Terry,

Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I did all recommended steps, and still don't have communication between Google Earth and Gps Gate. I've got GpsGate and Garmin to communicate, at least GpsGate is saying it's receiving data, but can't transfer to Google Earth. Yes, I added the send data to Google Earth plug-in. Any help greatly appreciated.

Receiving data is good but you need a lock. Is the GPS Gate icon in the notification bar green?

Terry

Yes it is green, but what is a lock?

When GPS Gate shows a green icon, it is telling you the GPS has enough satellite information to fully determine its location. That is considered a lock.

What interface program are you using between GPS Gate and Google Earth?

Terry

I thought when I chose the setting in Gps Gate for the output as Google Earth that was the interface? Am I missing something at this point I'll try anything. Thanks.

Sorry, I didn't even know GPS Gate had an output specific to Google Earth. Someone more knowledgable with Google Earth will have to help you.

Terry

Thanks anyways.