Using Bluetooth GPS on Windows 7 64-bit

Hi All,

Thanks to the owner and members, I didn’t expect there could be a highly active and informative forum with such a narrow interest. I am glad to have found this!

I have been, in vain, trying to pair and use my Visiontac VGPS-900 Bluetooth GPS data logger (link) on my Acer Aspire 4810TZ laptop with Windows 7 64-bit (link). The laptop has a built-in Bluetooth receiver (Broadcom).

I have being using this GPS logger with my Nokia S60 phones and it has worked fine all these years. But the problem is, it doesn't even pair with my laptop. When I search for Bluetooth devices, it finds the GPS device but doesn't prompt to pair with it.

Only respite I have is the GPSgate tool I found on this forum. After much of fiddling and configuring it to identify my GPS on different com ports and over Bluetooth, it finally asked for pairing code and connected, I was able to see position on Google Earth. But as soon as the GPS receiver lost its satellite connection, GPSgate unpaired it and didn’t connect automatically. Repeated pairing attempts of the GPS receiver and restarting it didn’t help. If run the setup/search wizard again, it connects but intermittently.

I would be glad if anyone can help me on these:
1.Is there any way for GPSgate to remember the com port/Bluetooth config to auto connect to the GPS receiver, once it’s switched on?
2. Should I be using any specific drivers or program for BT GPS receiver or BT laptop receiver (Like the IVT Bluetooth software that came with external BT dongle I used on Win XP)
3. Once I solve the above problems, I am looking for map software: I understand Microsoft's streets and trips 2010 is highly recommended here. I am yet to try. Any idea if it has maps/routes of India?
4. Any other free or cheap alternative map / positioning, nav software (apart from Google earth)?
5. Is it possible to use positioning on Google maps online?
6. If the GPS is working for your Win7, is the positioning/location API available to other apps, browsers?

Thanks in advance for any help.

I don't think your problem is with GPS Gate, however make sure you read the information they have about 64 bit operating systems.
GpsGate for 64-bit Vista and Windows 7

Get rid of the IVT dongle or modify it to work with the Microsoft Bluetooth stack. IVT (Bluesoleil) is a piece of junk and is probably why you are having headaches .

S&T does not have maps for India.

Terry

Hi northpole,

to Laptop GPS World.

For PC software with the map data for India, check the following: SatNav Technologies (India) Introduces Laptop GPS Navigation & Trip Planning Software

If you do decide to give it a try, please do let us know how you like it. We haven't had any user feedback here yet on the software.

Thanks Terry and Marvin.

I did follow the guide for 64bit system and moved the file to the system32/drivers location. Thats how its working, at least intermittently.
And sorry, I actually mentioned about IVT as I had used it on my old Win XP desktop. But I never tried to connect my gps to it though for obvious reasons!! Its not installed on my current Win7 laptop.

Satnav doesnt seem to have a trial version to try out. And more over I can try/buy only after my gps works!!

Sorry I missed that point. I have a Belkin BT adapter using the Broadcom drivers on Windows 7 and am impressed by how nicely they integrate into the BT interface; much nicer than XP. They work fine with GPS but this is a 32 bit system. Make sure you are using the correct 64 bit drivers.

The GPS information is not clear as to what the bit rate is on Bluetooth. As you say, GPS Gate should be able to sort that out but a simple COM monitoring program like Earthbridge might give you more insight as to how far you are getting in your tests.

Earth Bridge - Bridge the gap between Google Earth and your GPS receiver.

Terry