Hi
I'm looking for a way to connect my Garmin 76csx to my laptop to essentially make my laptop the view screen of the 76csx. Does anybody know if this can be done, that is using the 76csx as the GPS receiver and the laptop as the screen. Thanks.

Hi Gilles,

You can sort of do it. You can connect your 76CXs to the laptop so it will send the GPS data to the laptop. But you need something on the laptop to do the display. The only way I know of to do that is to add a laptop navigation program like the ones covered on this site. That would include programs like Microsoft Streets&Trips, Garmin Mobile PC, iNav iGuidance, etc.

Your Garmin handheld would provide the GPS data and the laptop nav program would do the display. Of course it would also have all the other features of your handheld because they are full-featured nav programs. And they would have additional capabilities like voice guidance if you are following a route.

Essentially, you would be turning the laptop into the navigation device and turning your handheld into just a GPS receiver.

...ken...

Thanks Ken, I appreciate your reply. Ps: I UNDERSTAND that I must have the maps loaded in my pc (together with the appropriate software) for it to work and that the hand held becomes just a receiver... right.

You got it. It's actually pretty neat. I can hook up my eTrex Legend HCx that way and use it as a receiver with the different nav programs I have. My Legend HCx is actually more sensitive than any of the five GPS receivers I have.

One condition on this. My Legend HCx only puts out Garmin's proprietary protocol. Most nav programs only understand the generic NMEA protocol. And most nav programs do not know how to read GPS data directly from the USB port. They need some sort of USB-to-serial device driver to create a virtual COM port.

In order to be able to connect my Legend HCx to any nav program I want, I use a program called GPSGate. It's not free but it's not expensive and it guarantees that I can connect my handheld to any nav program I want.

If you want to experiment, you can download a free 14-day trial of GPSGate and a free 60-day trial of Microsoft Streets&Trips and have a little fun.

I'm not endorsing either product. It's just a way for you to have a go and see if the concept is what you hope it might be without shelling out a bunch of money for something you might hate.

...ken...

Thanks again Ken for taking the time to help and to give me a flash GPS/PC 101 course. Hope you guys are not freezing too much in Regina. Here in Quebec we are in the -25 range today.
Regards Gilles

It's a little below normal here but only -14 (windchill -22). We have had some really cold weather in December and it's heading back down again tomorrow for a few days. I think I'll head west to BC for a few days next week. At least if I have to put up with snow and cold I might as well have a good view of some beautiful mountains.

...ken...

No snow here yet (well an inch or 2 for one day in December). Temperature has been a bit below normal but better than last year. Just expecting rain right now.

Terry

Just a little add-on to Ken's information. I'm not familiar with the Legend's outputs, but your (76CSX) unit will output NMEA on either the serial port or on the USB port. And if you wish to use the USB port, or your laptop doesn't have Garmin has a program which they do not publicize called "Spanner" which is free for the download and will convert the USB input for a laptop to a simulated serial port. You will have to search Garmin's site in the GPS 18 OEM receiver section for the software download. Try this URL: Garmin: Spanner Updates & Downloads

This is in lieu of the GPS Gate software mentioned by Ken. If you have Garmin's maps on CD, you need to also look at their Mapsource and nRoute software, which are also free. You can load your maps on the PC for these programs and track you position in real time.

Max Lynn

Just remember Spanner only works with Windows XP. It won't work with Vista or later.

Terry

Good point, Terry. I knew it didn't work with Vista. I didn't know if it would work with Windows 7 or not.

I haven't tested it but would guess it wouldn't under normal circumstances; Maybe in compatibility mode. For that much irritation, GPS Gate Express is an inexpensive product that is well supported and more versatile. However, as many netbooks are still XP, Spanner is worth a try as long as you are aware of its shortcomings.

Terry

Gilles, Have you purchased any additional maps for your 76CSx? Do you have those Garmin maps on your computer now? Or do you still have the CD's or DVD's?

If you do you can use your 76CSx as a receiver and Garmin's MapSource and Garmin nRoute to display the maps on your computer as a complete navigation package. And you will be able to transfer files back and forth between the hand held and nRoute. All at no additional expense as MapSource & nRoute are free if you already have the maps.

Edit: Oops, I just noticed Max Lynn already mentioned MapSource & nRoute...