Garmin Mobile PC and Garmin USB GPS

Did you try gps12map with GMPC?

Does 276C work well with nRoute?

Hi. Will this patch work with non-Garmin GPS's? I really like the look of this software but can't justify purchasing another GPS just to use the software. I have a NavMan & access to a TomTom. Maybe they would work with GPSGate?

Thanx for looking.

Special thanx to ProITM.

My patched version is for enable Garmin USB, disabled by Garmin
I tested many non-Garmin gps's and works well with GMPC via BT, and serial port or using GpsGate.

Have you tried using GPSGate or Xport to hide the fact that you're using a Garmin receiver? You don't need Garmin protocol emulation. You just need a virtual COM port generator that just passes the generic NMEA data and won't pass through the fact that it's a Garmin receiver. That's how I initially got Mobile PC to work with my eTrex Legend and GPS10x.

Xport is free and GPSGate has a free trial version.

...ken...

Thanks for the clarification.

Hey skywalka,

We need to be clear that there is a very big difference between a personal navigation device (PND) and a GPS receiver. The majority of PNDs, like Garmin's Nuvi series and most Magellan, TomTom and Navman handheld and auto products do not output their GPS data. They only use it internally and cannot be used as a GPS receiver for input to a laptop nav program.

There are a few exceptions. But they are exceptions.

For further clarification of the need for ProITM's patch or the need to run a utility that creates virtual COM ports for a GPS receiver, like Xport or GPSGate ... the software-only version of Mobile PC (the version that is sold without a GPS receiver) is designed to work, and work very well, with GPS receivers that output standard NMEA data. Regardless of whether you connect a Bluetooth receiver, a USB receiver or a serial receiver, Mobile PC will usually find it and use it without any help from you.

There is one significant oversight. Garmin appears to have managed to set the software-only version of Mobile PC so it won't use Garmin's own GPS receivers. I don't know whether it's intentional or accidental but it's quite effective. The Garmin-distributed software-only version of Mobile PC will not work with any Garmin GPS receiver, nor with any Garmin PND that outputs its data signal (like the eTrex Legend HCx).

That's why ProITM did the patch. To allow the software only version of Mobile PC to use Garmin GPS receivers. Of course you first need a legal installation of Mobile PC in order for the patched version to work, so we're keeping this quite legal.

I hope that helps and wasn't just a rehash of something you already understood.

...ken...

Hi ProITM,

Yes the 276 used to work with nRoute, have not tried the 12MAP as I don't have a USB/serial converter and it is only used when I go hiking, which is not often anymore.

Is there no way of referencing the error code to indicate where to look for the fault? Is it a coms protocol error or just a Garmin no go block?
The fact that it bombs the app completely seems like some location access error?

I could use GPSGate or something but just seems like introducing more possible trouble into the loop

It does exactly what you said before resetting the GPSr location and then it needs to locate it's self again, and it says "Transfer complete" on the GPS showing some coms happened?

CRV.

Thanx Ken.

I wasn't wise to the difference between receivers & PND's.

Is there an easy way to find out which PND's can output for use with programs like GMPC?

Thanx again.

Try with GpsGate, it works well with GMPC

I don't know of any easy way other than emailing or phoning the manufacturer and asking. Some manufacturers may have a features and options list on their web site that might show whether that feature is included on a particular model.

As an example, I know my eTrex Legend HCx transmits the GPS signal out the USB connection. I've used it that way and it works great. But I can't find anything in the specs online. And if I were to phone Garmin tech support and ask ten people I would get at least four answers: "Yes", "No", "Maybe", and "DamnedIfIKnow".

...ken...

Thanx again.

Has anyone successful been able to use Mobile PC with any of the Nuvi models and the Spanner?

I just installed Garmin Mobile PC, but none of my maps appear. I get "No MAPS" when I select maps. Is there any way to force Mobile PC to see my Garmin maps?

Since Mobile PC is quite capable of seeing a USB port and the Nuvis don't put out data in Garmin format, what would you expect to gain by using Spanner. I do know it will work with the 20x to provide NMEA data for other programs providing you are using Windows XP.

Terry