How to interact with a marine unit, GPS 526 with a computer?

[mopar340]

I have own garmin handhelds since 1996, but never a marine unit.
Got a GPS526 in my boat with a bluachart that covers more than i need. So far so good...

But Now I wonder how I can communicate with it by using a computer and a software like I use Mapsource to interact with my handhelds.

Is that possible?

What software to use, Garmin HomePort?

What do I need to hook up the GPS to my computer, it looks like it don't have any serial or USB port, just a wire harness for power, CAN and NMEA, can it be used?

sorry for the noob question but i am compleaty new to this type of GPS.

[Giomen]

The first, you can connect GPS526 to PC via serial port:

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To change the communications settings from the Home screen, select Configure > Communications, choose Serial Port 1(2) and then pick up Garmin Data Transfer—supports the input or output of Garmin-proprietary data for communicating with Garmin software.

The second, if you need only export-import your data you must use SD card for data transfer. Please read Viewing User Data section on page 33 of user's manual:

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For marine device it is used ADM format of data. It is Garmin proprietary format but you can open data in any Garmin program and after that save data in any format as you would like.

[catymag]

This can be handy too:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[mopar340]

Thanks all, will read in to this and mount in a serial port.
May come back with more questions.

regards

w