Thread: Software for laptop navigation

Don't know much about Garmin gps devices, always use devices with nmea output.
Did you install a driver or other software so the Garmin can interface with your pc?
If you don't see an extra device/port in the system manager try a different usb port.
Otherwise I suggest you try GpsGate as an interface between your gps and nRoute.

Originally Posted by drammer

Don't know much about Garmin gps devices, always use devices with nmea output.
Did you install a driver or other software so the Garmin can interface with your pc?
If you don't see an extra device/port in the system manager try a different usb port.
Otherwise I suggest you try GpsGate as an interface between your gps and nRoute.

All software appears to be ok, 76cx will talk to nRoute but only hold the signal intermittently, tried switching ports, leads laptops etc maybe it is an incompatibility problem.

Will have a look at GpsGate - just maybe a chance it may work if it is only a compatibility issue. or maybe I need a much older gps of 2005 vintage ????? Which may be a cost effective option. I do not know.

I still use nRoute because in my opinion it has some charateristics for long trips which I prefer over Mobile PC. Garmin nRoute also apparently works with the older Bluechart maps.
There is also another problem with it which I have become recently aware of.
I use a Garmin 60CSX and the USB output from the GPSr to a laptop with nRoute.
The 60CSX and a number of other GPS units used the SiRF III chipset. This chipset and the GPS firmware allowed data from GPS to laptop. On the last production runs of the 60CSX Garmin changed to a Mediatek chipset. This new chipset unfortunately "broke" the ability for the 60CSX to comunicate with some software including nRoute. This may be a problem with other more recent GPSrs if they use the Mediatek chipset. On a 60CSX you can tell what chipset you have by the:

Software ver. 4.20 / 4.00
GPS SW ver. 2.40m / 3.00s

You can get this info from your 60CSX by entering MENU>MENU>SETUP>SYSTEM>MENU. Choose "Software Version".
After doing some research on the internet I discovered that the new unit with the "m" in the GPS SW ver.utilizes a MediaTek chip while the old unit has a SiRF III chipset designated by the "s".
That may explain some of the communication problems.

I still use Garmin nRoute daily as the main navigation program on my notebook.
It operates perfectly with any mapset I have thrown at it and I have a lot. BlueCharts, City Navigator, Topo etc.

Garmin MobilePC can not compete.

I do not bother using any of my Garmin GPS units as the input source.
This combination works perfectly all day long:
Notebook (Windows XP, 7 and 8 tomorrow (I hope)). + GPSGate + $2 Bluetooth USB dongle + $25 Bluetooth GPS.

Click attachment to enlarge.

Originally Posted by catymag

Gmaptool splitted Bluecharts .imgs can become inappropriate, read:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
You can use Homeport without an sd too, read:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
New pads or phones have gps chip and compass embedded and their own Navigator applications.
For the intermittent connection problem I'm afraid you need an external antenna connected if you use it in a hartop boat

Very interesting, the gmap splitted images are not a problem as on my 2nd laptop only 2008.5 bluecharts are available.

Nroute, as old as it is, is an ideal program for laptop navigation, and in particular as a secondary nautical navigation system if I can get it to work???? If is used in conjunction with Homeport for route planning and full functionality of newer bluechart products.

Maybe I do need an external antenna ???, but as my 76cx is external to receive satellite signal I would have thought that should have worked ???

As mullerh stated in post 26, I feel it more likely that the issue I have is incompatability, but I do not know ????

Seems like there is more than 1 interested in nRoute and I am really pleased with the interest and feedback from you and other forum members.

Originally Posted by mullerh

I still use nRoute because in my opinion it has some charateristics for long trips which I prefer over Mobile PC. Garmin nRoute also apparently works with the older Bluechart maps.
There is also another problem with it which I have become recently aware of.
I use a Garmin 60CSX and the USB output from the GPSr to a laptop with nRoute.
The 60CSX and a number of other GPS units used the SiRF III chipset. This chipset and the GPS firmware allowed data from GPS to laptop. On the last production runs of the 60CSX Garmin changed to a Mediatek chipset. This new chipset unfortunately "broke" the ability for the 60CSX to comunicate with some software including nRoute. This may be a problem with other more recent GPSrs if they use the Mediatek chipset. On a 60CSX you can tell what chipset you have by the:

Software ver. 4.20 / 4.00
GPS SW ver. 2.40m / 3.00s

You can get this info from your 60CSX by entering MENU>MENU>SETUP>SYSTEM>MENU. Choose "Software Version".
After doing some research on the internet I discovered that the new unit with the "m" in the GPS SW ver.utilizes a MediaTek chip while the old unit has a SiRF III chipset designated by the "s".
That may explain some of the communication problems.

As the 76cx superceeds the 60csx I would tend to agree with you, it may be an incompatibility issue, after spending hours on the internet it appears that nRoute does have connectability issues but they were not clear as to what gps or os was being used, so no luck there.

Did you actually try a newer 60csx, and did it give the issues I am experiencing?

Great post by the way.