[bstamerjon]

Got a new handheld GPS (credit) for X-mas. I want to link it to MacENC and use it for both boat and land trips. What is best?

[GPSNavX]

If you don't need the receive to have a chart display, then my absolute favorite and the one I use more often for all my adventures is the Foretrex 101..

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=260

Combined with the PC interface cable and Keyspan USB to serial adapter you can use the Foretrex with MacENC and many other titles.

I have no love for Garmin models that use their expensive proprietary BlueCharts. Stay clear of Garmin models that only have a USB interface as those do not support NMEA data (the standard for marine instrumentation).

Models on Garmin's marine page work fine with MacENC..

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=147

[bstamerjon]

Well, I'd like it to have charts of some sort on the handheld, but gps info and routes are the only thing that I can see moving to MacENC. I've used C-map cartrige plotters most, and I don't know how goodblue chart or magellans proprietary charts are. Some of the topo maps that magellan uses are mac compatable, but I guess that they don't support Alaska. Still looking for what's best

[jagasail]

I use a Garmin GPS76Map on Jaga, mounted in the cockpit and hardwired into the electrical and my NMEA 'network'. NMEA (thus all the gps data) get to my Mac via a bluetooth multiplexor. Works really well but might be more complex than you want. I could have run a different GPS with USB, but the NMEA wiring is much simpler without the distance constraints of USB.

Also, while I have the 'map' version of the '76', I don't use the charts. I find looking at charts on those small screens sort of like trying to drive while looking through a paper towel tube. Zoom in enough to read it and you're looking at too small a piece of chart. On the '76' I find using the compass rose screen the most useful, as it gives me direction and speed. Sometimes I'll upload a course, and even without the chart it can tell me graphically how close I am to the plotted course. Finally, I like having the handheld in cockpit because in an emergency I can just grab it and go.

Haven't seen the Fortrex before but it also looks interesting. Might be a good choice for my backup.

Scot

[bstamerjon]

Have been looking at the Garmin 478c, which comes preloaded with nav charts for the US. It has a nema 0183 interface. What would be required to transfer gps info to MacENC from this unit?

[GPSNavX]

You will need these two cables to connect a Garmin 478 to your Mac and receive the NMEA data (also transfer waypoints, routes and tracks)

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1084

http://www.keyspan.com/products/usa19hs/


Interesting the Garmin 478 includes marine maps and not charts..

http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/Staff/map-cht.htm

[bstamerjon]

Got the 478C. Looking to install topo maps - need to purchase disc and card to load them on to?? - What card standard does this use? SD card? Garmin site doesn't say. The BluCharts seem adequate just driving around in Cordova, except highway 10 ends in our garage. I'm not so sure that this is what I want to end up with, so it's lucky that I spent $25 for a 90 day return policy. More testing to follow. Does garmin's mac software obviate the need for the usb/serial cable and Keyspan adaptor? Bert

[GPSNavX]

So far Garmin has yet to support NMEA data over their USB cable. NMEA is the standard for marine instrumentation.

[bobmcd625]

A couple of questions from a newbie to electronic navigation: What does Garmin use the USB port/cable for if not for NMEA data transfer? For Scot on Jaga: Do I understand right that you use the Serial port on the Garmin 76 with the Keyspan serial/USB adaptor to connect to your mac's USB port? Does this let you use the Garmin's GPS receiver for MacENC as well as allowing you to transfer waypoints and routes created on the Mac with MacENC back to the Garmin for tracking? What other devices are connected to your NMEA network? Sorry for the barrage. Just trying to sort out the basics.
Many thanks for your help.

[GPSNavX]

The Garmin USB cable supports GARMIN proprietary transfer mode. It supports transfer of waypoints, routes, tracks and Garmin maps/charts.

In order to support NMEA data (real-time tracking) AND GARMIN proprietary transfer mode (data transfer) to/from a Garmin Marine GPS, one must use two cables - The Keyspan USB to serial adapter and the Garmin serial PC Interface cable.

[bobmcd625]

Sorry, but I am still not clear about these connections. Some Garmins (eg the Colorado series) have only a USB connection. In this case I can't see where the Keyspan converter comes in. With the Garmin 76, on the other hand, has both USB and Serial connections. In this case, too, why can't on just use the USB to connect to a Mac? Once one has the right cable connecting a Garmin to a Mac will the Mac (MacENC or GPSNavX) will the data transferred by understood by both devices? In other words MacENC does not need NMEA format data to get the GPS data and waypoints and routes can be sent back and forth happily?
Sorry to be slow, and appreciate your patience.
Regards
Bob

[GPSNavX]

In order to avoid excessive redundancy I suggest you read this thread..

http://macsailing.net/fbb/showtopic.php?tid/458/

In the most simplest of terms the Garmin USB cable does not support NMEA data (the standard for marine instrumentation) where the Garmin PC interface cable does.

The Colorado supports NMEA data using the Garmin PC interface cable..

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1169

If you do not need NMEA data (real-time position, satellites, active waypoint) and only need to transfer waypoints, routes, tracks to a Garmin GPS then their USB cable will work fine.

[bobmcd625]

Thanks for your help (and patience). I still find it confusing that Garmin provides a USB connection and cable with their handhelds (60, 76 and now Colorado) but the NMEA format data only works with a serial connection. Don't bother to reply as I feel I am wasting your time. I'll just accept this as fact and move on. What does seem clear is that Garmin don't want to make it easy for users to use their handhelds as GPS receivers connected to PCs or Macs running the navigation software. In fact, as someone else said, it probably is most sensible to keep the two platforms separated. For the laptop (below decks) get a simple GPS receiver (connected by USB or BlueTooth) and use the handheld as a stand alone device in the cockpit. Mixing the two platforms seems like more trouble that its worth. Despite these difficulties the Garmin handheld units are still pretty attractive (to me, at least). Thanks again for you help. I'll concentrate now on getting going with MacENC and selecting the most appropriate charts for my macBook.

[bobmcd625]

Anyone with experience of the Magellan Triton series? The latest ones (1500 and 2000) look nice on their website although I don't need a camera!). I did see negative comments about after sales service on Amazon.

[bobmcd625]

Can you confirm (or otherwise) that Magellan GPS units like their Triton series (which apparently do support NMEA) are compatible with MacENC and GPSNavX? Any other comments about Magellan? I am particularly drawn to the Triton 1500. Thanks in advance.

[bobmcd625]

Well, after many questions and answers on this forum (thanks to all you who contributed) I settled for a Garmin 60csx which arrived today (from Amazon for 3Cs). Have not started it up yet, but I know that I have to work from a PC to get the maps loaded but afterwards I hope to be able to transfer Waypoints and Routes created on MacENC directly from my macBook using the USB cable. Are there any special measures that I have to take to do this? I'll see later if I want/need to move to the serial connection for realtime communications between Garmin and Mac.

[GPSNavX]

You will need to use LoadMyTracks to communicate via the Garmin USB cable. LoadMyTracks supports the GPX file format which MacENC can import and export.


You should be able to use Garmin's OS X software to load the expensive proprietary Garmin maps on the Garmin GPS..

http://www8.garmin.com/macosx/

[bobmcd625]

Thanks for these tips.