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We are closing on the goal of moving from an old b&w Garmin chartplotter to a MacBook system with MacENC. I expect to make the move this fall when Leopard is released. Has anyone had any experiences with a bluetooth GPS antenna, preferably a unit that can be rail-mounted? We are in a power boat (sorry all you sailors) and I would like to be able to move frrom lower to upper helms without disconnecting and reconnecting. Plus, I just like the idea of less wires to route.
Jerry Richter
Bristol 27, Outside Time
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Ken,
Not sure what you're trying to do - move the Mac from lower to upper without having to plug stuff in and out? If so, why not forego the bluetooth GPS and have your GPS and the rest of your electronics wired via nmea into a Miniplex bluetooth multiplexer? That will send the data from all the instruments (GPS, AIS, wind, depth, speed) to the Mac wirelessly. I'm set up that way, and while I'm one of those 'sailors', I find it very convenient. I can move my Mac about at will, even sit in my bunk, and get all the data with no wires. Works great.
Scot
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Hi,
I can see what Ken means here.
I used to use a Garmin GPS10 (still do in the car) as it's a self-contained bluetooth unit that has a magnetic base. In the car I just stick it on the roof.
Used to use it on the boat too, but it's a small unit and the antenna is too small to get a decent sat signal. As soon as the weather gets a bit stormy, with heavy clouds, the unit loses satellites and can't get a fix.
So I went to plugging the main Garmin 128 into the MacBook via a Keyspan USB/Serialport.
That is fine except, like Ken, I need to move the Macbook about.
So your idea of the Miniplex bluetooth multiplexer is great.
Ron
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Scot and Ron, thanks. I like the idea of the multiplexer as well. I still need to look into a new GPS antenna as the current chartplotter/antenna system is quite old. The plotter is no longer supported and I suspect the antenna is not WAAS-enabled. While I understand the GMouse unit listed on GPSNavX site works well with the software and Macs, I'd rather find one that can mount to a rail or on the mast. I'm not crazy about just having a magnetic base, though I suppose I could mount a metal backing plate at the upper helm to secure it.
Ron, Good to hear about your issues with the Garmin unit as I was considering it. I'll now continue to look further, particularly if I go with the multiplexer concept. My other thought would be to get an up-to-date handheld unit as a backup and to use as the GPS antenna for the laptop and other systems (DSC VHF, autopilot, etc.). Any recommendations on a good stand-alone antenna or handheld with a good internal antenna?
Jerry Richter
Bristol 27, Outside Time
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Ken,
I haven't much idea about antenna units. The one I use came with the GPS128 and it's mounted on/in the coachroof, so there's only the dome part up top and the cable comes straight inside. Seems to work OK.
On the portable/handheld front, I've still got, and using, an old Garmin GPS III plus. It's a discontinued item now, but it's got a small foldup antenna of it's own, and if you unplug that there's a standard BNC connector that will take the main antenna cable.
Although it's battery powered it's also got a connector for power in and NMEA out.
Mine lives in the grab bag most of the time, but I have used it to great effect.
There must be modern equivalents available.
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Ken,
I'm using a Garmin GPS76 mounted in my cockpit, hardwired into the Miniplex for nmea and my electrical system for power. However, since you're only after the data ouput from the GPS, almost any newer gps will do as long as it's waterproof and has nmea output, so there should be lots of options. The only concern would the the wiring connection as it will be exposed to the elements. I'm plugging and unplugging mine all the time, but if not I'd want a more permanent and waterproofed connection. I plug/unplug mine primarily to 1) prevent theft when I'm gone, and 2) load routes - I can't load a route to the '76 across nmea and have to connect it directly to my mac via a keyspan.
Scot
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John,
My older units cope very well as I don't use, or need, WAAS anyway.
I can get to within a stone's throw of rocks on the GPS, and that's too close for me. So no problem.
Ron.
