I recently bought Franson GPS Gate Express and tried to use it to share a Microsoft (Pharos) GPS between Streets & Trips and Trailer Life Directory (TLD). After going thru the setup Streets & Treets worked correctly, but with Trailer Life Directory the GPS works anywhere from less than a second to few seconds. I have changed the ports and the same thing. Both S&T and TLD are the 2010 versions.

If I use the GPS without GPS Gate, it works correctly with either program.

Any ideas?
I am using Windows 7 x64.

Did you follow Franson's instructions for using GPS Gate with 64 bit o/s?
GpsGate for 64-bit Vista and Windows 7

Terry

Yes I did. It would not work with other programs until I put the driver in System32.

The GPS is a Navation, not a Pharos as my original post stated. I doubt that it makes any difference in this case.

It could be some incompatibility of the Trailer Life Directory software and Gps Gate. Have you used earlier versions of Trailer Life Directory with Gps Gate? Also, do you have another GPS receiver you could test in this configuration?

Marvin, I suspect that you are right. I have not tried earlier versions of TLD with GPS Gate. The other GPS receivers I have are an old Holux with no Windows 7 driver and the Delorme LT-40. I have sent a note to TLD support asking about compatibility with Franson Gate. So far no reply.

tenbear, at the same time you may want to let Johan Franson know, too. Perhaps he can suggest some work-around, or he may be able to make it work in a future GpsGate version.

Marvin, I installed Trailer Life Directory 2008 with the same results. GPS works without GpsGate, but not with it.

I made a post on the Franson Forum this AM detailing the problem, but so far no reply.

I was looking at other posts in the Franson GPS Gate forum and found another post with the same problem. It was dated 5/2/10 and like mine, has had no reply.

Based on that I would say that Franson knows about the incompatibility and is working on it, or is playing ostrich and sticking their head in the sand. I hope it is the first. It would be nice if they would let us know what is going on.

GpsGate works with a wide assortment of products, but occasionally users do come across an incompatibility issue. (Earlier versions of Garmin Mobile PC, too, were incompatible.)

Try to contact Trailer Life Directory as well, they may be aware of this, and they may know if there is a work-around.

I sent an email to the Trailer Life support a couple of days ago. The software was produced by UnderTow Software and they provide the support. I have not had a reply from them. They do have a phone number so I will try that. Stay tuned.

Not having the software, I was reading their FAQ. Did you make sure TLD is set to 4800 bps when you select the COM port that GPS Gate provides?

Terry

I note also from the FAQ, a service pack is available. Did you install it?

UnderTow Software - Mapping & GIS - TLDCN2009 Support

Terry

Terry, I tried several bps rates, they all worked about the same. It seems to get an initial reading from the GPS and then it shuts down. With 4800 it sometimes goes a little longer but still stops within a second or two.

As the particular GPS you are using only puts out 4800 bps, all your testing should be done at 4800 whether or not you are using GPS Gate.

Terry

I installed the update some time ago and the first thing I did when it didn't work was to check for updates. It said that none were available. The "about" listing in help says that the service pack has been installed.

Thanks for the suggestions. I think this is an incompatability problem that Franson will probably have to solve, hopefully with the cooperation of UnderTow. Any other ideas are welcome.

After speaking to TLDCN support and trading several emails with Johan Franson, both admit there is a problem and say they are willing to answer the other's questions, but neither is willing to take the first step. I guess neither one thinks they are to blame and neither one thinks the number of people using GpsGate with TLDCN are worth the effort to cooperate to find a solution. Very disappointing.