Garmin Gps 196 Usb Driver

Please note - The GPS must be turned on when Moving Map in OziExplorer is started as OziExplorer needs to send commands to the GPS.

The Oregon and Colardo can be used for moving map

Symbols

There are various Symbol sets for the Garmins, some have been predefined in the Symbol Set combo box. If there is no defined symbol set for your GPS then use the Create button on the GPS tab in OziExplorer Configuration to specify the set of symbols your particular Garmin model supports, or use the Garmin symbol set. This gives access to all the Garmin symbols, however those which your GPS does not support cannot be uploaded and will be ignored. Any symbols which aren't applicable to a particular model are ignored and replaced with the dot symbol.

Tracks

Some model Garmins only have 1 track and this is downloaded without problems.

Some model Garmins such as the GPS III which can store multiple tracks in the GPS, results in all of the tracks being download as a single track.

Current Garmin models download the Active Track and the saved tracks as separate tracks, after downloading these will be shown in the Track Control as separate tracks. These tracks must be saved separately by highlighting the track in the track list and selecting the save button on the Track Control toolbar.

Historically the Garmin interface was a standard serial portRS-232. This made sense and is still the standard for manyusers. However, modern PC's and PDA's may no longer even have thehardware to support the RS-232 serial port standard. As user's makenew computer purchases they may find that there is no easy way to hookup their Garmin GPS receivers. Many new computers now support thelatest interface standards including USB or Bluetooth for wirelessconnection. This article reviews two solutions to this problem, onefor USB and one for Bluetooth. Each solution provides a directinterface to many Garmin models including the etrex family (except forthe new C models), the emap, and the gecko family. These Garmin GPSreceivers all share the same interface connector design. While notreviewed here there are also solutions for other Garmin models.

The solutions reviewed provides a wired connection to the etrexconnector for serial cable connection and, as a bonus, they providepower such that the unit can be powered externally while theconnection is made. This external power connection will not charge theinternal batteries on the unit but can provide unlimited power for usein a vehicle or for home use.

The intent of these interface solutions is to provide real timetracking for portable use such as hooking your GPS to a PDA or to a laptop.In some cases these solutions can also be used to provide for map downloadas well as tracklog, waypoint, and route support.

The Bluetoothsolution was provided by Semsons andCo. They also have solutions for other Garmin products but these werenot tested.

The unit consists of a cigarette lighter adapter and a cable connetionthat plugs directly into the GPS. The Bluetooth hardware is inside thecigarette lighter adapter as is a voltage regulator to drop the voltage toa suitable level to drive both the Bluetooth hardware and the attachedetrex. The connector on the etrex side was made by pfranc.

The adapter has a power/bluetooth connection indicator thatindicates power is applied (blinking) and the connection status (solidwhen paired). If secure pairing is required the unit supports apassword of '0000'. The GPS side is hardwired for 4800 Baud, 8 bits,no parity as required for NMEA operation from the etrex unit. Theinterface is capable of bidirectional transfer (more about thislater).

This is a standard class two version 1.1 Bluetooth device with arange of 32 feet or less. As such it does not require any softwarebeyond the standard Bluetooth support on the computer. It will hookto any Computer or PDA using the Serial Port Profile (SPP). I foundthat it worked exactly like other dedicated Bluetooth GPS systems.

To do waypoint, tracklog, route upload/download or map download theGarmin receivers requires 9600 baud. This unit is shipped with only 4800baud support so it will not support these features. It is possible to openthe unit up and switch it to 9600 baud. If you want to do this thencontact Semson for details. I do wish that there was a switch for thison the unit. This is the only fault I found with the unit.

The input Voltage can range from 9V to 24 V. I measured an unloaded3.7 V on the output. This is a little higher than the Garmin spec butI suspect it drops a bit under load. I had no problem with either ofmy units. The cable itself is 5.5 feet long which is plenty long enoughto set the GPS in a place where it will get maximum reception.

The USB solution wassupplied by GPS Warehouse. Thetested configuration included an emap and etrex Vista. They also havevarious data and data/power cables for other Garmin models on theirweb site.

The tested configuration included the cable shown to the left. It has aUSB connector at one end and an etrex connector (pfranc) at theother. The box in the center contains the logic to convert the USBserial port to the serial port on the etrex. Power from the USB side isalso routed through the convertor to power the etrex. A CDROM containingthe USB driver was included with the adapter.

There are many solutions for USB support on legacy serial devicesbut what makes this one different is the custom connector on the GPSend of the cable. This avoids the cumbersome adapters and cablesplugged into cables that often are needed with other solutions.

You must install the CDROM before plugging in this cable. There isonly Windows support on the CDROM. There is a manual on the CDROM thatdescribes this installation and setup instructions. Installation isstraight forward but setup is a little more difficult.

There is no user interface provided so you will need to configurethe port from the Control pannel, hardware settings. The easiest wayto reach the panel is usually to right click the 'my computer' iconand select properties. On the hardware page you will need to find theentry under Serial Devices. Take note of the com port that wasassigned to the USB to serial device and check the Baud rate. For methe default seemed to be 9600 Baud which will not work with standardNMEA data which required 4800. Unlike a real serial port on my otherPCs this port will not negotiate the speed so you have to set it rightto get it to work. You will need to return to this screen any time youneed to change the Baud rate such as when you wish to work in Garminmode. Garmin mode setting to 9600 Baud is required to work with maps,tracklogs, wayppoints, and/or routes. The advanced settings permitschanging the com port.

Once I had the com port set and the baud rate set I was able to runmy GPS with PC based navigation software. You are likely to have toset the com port in the navigation software settings although somewill search the port. It worked fine.

The power output from the interface measured 3.3 V which is exactlywhat Garmin specifies. The cable length is a little over 5 feet. If youneed something longer then you might use a USB cable extender.

If you have problems make sure some other device hasn't grabbed theserial port. Pocket PC ActiveSync and Palm Hotsync are both known todo that depending on how they are set up. Also be sure the Garmin GPSis set to NMEA mode.

Garmin Gps 196 Usb Drivers

The Bluetooth solution

The USB solution

revision

Garmin Gps 196 Update