GPS with Laptop

[GaBoy]

Looking for a system that will work with my laptop and a GPS. Someone told me that you can purchase a program and a gps and it will work with a laptop for 200 dollars. Any idea on best application and best GPS to use?

 

[JB]

Re: GPS with Laptop

I believe that Garmin offers firmware and GPS receiver to use a 'puter.

 

[tommays]

Re: GPS with Laptop

What do want to use it for

You can get MS street and trips with a USB receiver and a few others at most computer stores


I can tell you i a car it does really NOT work out well The laptop screen just does not fit anywhere that it is safe to use


Tommays

 

[Sorrento 25]

Re: GPS with Laptop

Check out mp3car.com. You'll find the answer to almost any related question.

 

[GaBoy]

Re: GPS with Laptop

Wanted to use offshore, Been looking at navigation systems on internet, and it seems like the Garmin 276c is an all around unit for the money. I was just interested in using an old laptop I have and see if I can save any money by using it instead of spending 500.00 dollars.

 

[GaBoy]

Re: GPS with Laptop

I forgot to ask. Can you use MS streets and trips for offshore?

 

[Sorrento 25]

Re: GPS with Laptop

Sorry about the link. I forgot they have a store now. I used to moderate over there.

You'll need a USB GPS Mouse or others and the charts. I'm sure somebody has figured out a way to do it free with NOAA charts or something, but you'll probably have to buy software such as the Fugawi or others.

 

[dingbat]

Re: GPS with Laptop

I have a hard time getting digital cameras to last a season offshore let alone a PC.

I?ve known people that had luck using the military, industrial PC for that application but unless you can find one for a steal it?s cheaper to just buy the GPS system designed for the application

 

[JB]

Re: GPS with Laptop

I use a GPS 276c and it is great.

I have the City Navigator and US Rec. Lakes CDs in my PC and can download the correct maps for whatever I plan to do to the GPS. I also have a spare 256MB card so I can change applications in the middle of a trip if I want more stuff than the resident 128MB card can hold. You can buy cards preloaded with a variety of stuff for coastal and offshore use.

Example. I load her up with travel maps to guide my vehicle from The Hideout to Lake Of The Woods (Northwest Angle of MN, 1500 miles), then switch to marine mode to guide RED SKY to my favorite spots on that huge lake or to hike the wilderness on the Angle. She runs on +12V from the truck or boat and an internal battery for hiking.

It is not the best for any particular application, but she can do it all danged well.

 

[jmvan]

Re: GPS with Laptop

I have run such a system, but gave up due to various issues.

I bought a small GPS unit off ebay, Holux GR 213, about $25. It works well, and yes I did use it while driving to check it out. Don't recommend it though.

The software I used was freeware. Check out Seaclear. Not perfect but it works. The charts are also free and downloadable. (Canadian charts are not free.)

Now the problems. First I was using a vintage 2002 IBM laptop. I found that I could not see the screen when it was positioned near my helm, just too much light. I think the newer machines are better.

Second was the power draw. I had to run it off the charger that was plugged into an inverter that in turn was plugged into the accessory socket. It could be done more directly, but I had all the bits.

Third, we hit a big wake while up on plane. The laptop was not properly fastened down, and you can imagine the rest. The laptop did survive though.

I have abandoned my quest for a big screen gps until I invest in a new laptop. Meanwhile I am back to my 4 x 2 inch gps screen!

Cheers
John

 

[First Attempt]

Re: GPS with Laptop

if u look in the DIY section of polular science, they have a project about putting gps on ur labtop. You buy a gps from an old car and take the chip out of it, then attach it via a cable to to your labtop. It requires a little soldering, an analog car gps that u can get on ebay for 25-50$, and freeware to let it run, it was in the last issue, heres the link http://www.popsci.com/popsci/how20/ddb6bb1fd9ca4110vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html

 

[BoaterDave31]

Re: GPS with Laptop

Maptech offers nice PC charting. And I believe that they offer a free GPS antenna with purchase. They have it at Boaters World.

 

[davidhite]

Re: GPS with Laptop

I wrote a program (GooPs - http://goopstechnologies.com) for my boat that tracks you in real-time with Google Earth. It's nice to be able to see the satellite imagery while cruising.

If you also want chart data integrated with google earth you can use EarthNC (http://earthnc.com). Along with GooPs this makes a very nice inexpensive system.

If you don't have mobile network access the satellite imagery can be pre-loaded into Google Earth.