user13371
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Posts posted by user13371
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Lowrance GPS units store coordinates internally in Mercator Meters - not to be confused with UTM (which is different and much better documented).
Though I've found a couple of sources online documenting how to convert between Mercator Meters and degrees decimal, I can't find anything that explains where this coordinate method comes from, why Lowrance uses it, what its distnct advantages might be, etc...
Has anyone else ever studied this?
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The GPS is sold.
Note to moderator: Is there any way to delete this post/thread?
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The GPS is sold.
Note to moderator: Is there any way to delete this post/thread?
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...the hard part would be getting your hands on an actual firmware file (????.hex) that "Magup" could send to the uni ... I think you would be out of luck when it comes to any type of firmware updates/improvements, and probably detail maps as well, even if you did make a cable...
I wouldn't be as interested in uploading firmware updates as I would be about just exchanging waypoints, routes, and trails. Other Magellan units transfer this kind of data with very simple command sequences. These are well documented and consistent in all models from at least the old M330s up to the latest Meridians.
The first thing I'd like to know is if there really is a live & usable port in there. After that it would be a pretty simople thing to find out if the units accept the data exchange commands.
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J and R is taking orders for the Sandisk 1GB Secure digital SD Card for only $69.88 after rebate, Free shipping.
That's the ticket, thanks!
Even with the usual litany of rebate horror stories, $99 is a good price for a 1 gig card. If you can get the rebate (always a questionable proposition), it's even better.
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I agree they need some way to avoid piracy, there are just better ways to do it.
For me personally, the new restrictions are show-stoppers.
MapCreate 6.2 is already copy protected and requires the original disks to install. I don't know how many "backup copies" you found on eBay, but I know I can't make a legitimate and usable backup of this software I bought and paid for.
Also, the copy protection they use is flaky; it almost prevented me from being able to install MapCreate to being with. Good thing I only had to use that CD once and could put it away for safekeeping, right?
But the new version will require the disk at runtime - so the problems I had reading the disk ONCE will plague me every time I want to use the product.
Also, to upgrade I'll have to integrate a new piece of hardware (their custom card reader) and drivers. Even IF I can make that work, it will make me very dependent on Lowrance for support if/when a Windows update or other system change breaks their software. Look at what just happened with Magellan and Windows XP Service Pack 2.
So, I feel I'm locked out of product upgrades. I don't even need or want the topo product - but if they bring out an updated streets and POI database I expect I'll also be out of luck.
I'm one person and maybe they don't care about losing one customer. But I'll bet I'm not the only one. I think they've made a really bad choice with the latest form of "protection."
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DO NOT THROW THE READER AWAY!!! The new MapCreate 6.3 requires that reader. No other reader will work!
Wow.
Thanks for the warning. It isn't likely to make me keep the card reader - but I sure as he11 won't be buying the 6.3 "upgrade!" As much as I love the GPS, this is stupid enough to make me re-evaluate Lowrance as a company. I'm not kidding.
Here I was thinking they were pretty cool for shipping a mapping package (6.2) unlocked, with only a reasonable copy-protection on the CDs - and then they blow it with this 6.3 release. The restrictions are ridiculous!
Gotta have the CD in the drive at runtime, gotta use their card reader, all maps are keyed to a specific GPS -and- card reader, AND they limit you to how many memory cards (5) you can use with the program?
All those locks on a program that is nominally $100-$150 an useful only to people who have already bought a Lowrance GPS. Adobe Creative Suite costs many times more, has a much wider audience (and piracy/lost profit potential), and it's not locked down nearly as hard. What are these people thinking?
Of course, I do not favor piracy and agree companis SHOULD take any measures necessary to protect their profits. But when they go to such foolish extremes, it just chases customers away.
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One more thing I've found about the iFinder that I like better than the Magellan, and this probably applies to other Lowrance models...
It's a LOT easier to write your own programs for dealing with the GPS data.
I mean, it's obvious that not having to deal with serial or USB communications is a big plus here. It's all just files. Your data lives on MMC or SD card, they're just files.
But the data formats themselves are very easy to work with - easier than Magellan (which I do understand) and probably MUCH easier than Garmin (which I find completely baffling).
Robert Lipe tells me a few people had expressed interest in extending Lowrance support in GPSBabel, but nobody ever followed up. I don't really know why that would be ...
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Actually, we've kinda scratched the plan for using a laptopm connected to a GPS on our cross country drive. Just as you found it cumbersome to carry a laptop while caching, we both found it uncomfortable and awkward to try to use the laptop in a moving vehicle. perhaps with some kind of stand to hold the laptop computer where the navigator (not the driver) can see it it becomse mre practical and comfortable.
But for now, the question of how to load enough maps onto my handheld GPS was solved by getting a bigger one
Will probably still have the laptop in the truck with us just to look things up if we need more information about an area than the GPS tells us.And going completely off topic - has anyone here ever used Route 66? I find it to both incredibly useful and aggravating! Useful for the wealth of data, detailed maps, and powerful search features. Aggravating because the user interface is weird and it runs very slowly at times.
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.... Even if a hacker approach is found, the availabilty of software support will be very limited.
I'd wager Magellan's existing software (Magup for loading firmware and basemaps, MapSend for creating detail maps) would work. The real hack would be making the external connector.
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I've heard there IS a data port on the Magellan Explorist models. Is buried/hidden behind the battery compartment, for factory use. The hacker in me thinks it would be interesting to play with; but realistically I wonder why they didn't just make an accisible connector.
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... viking 512mb after rebate for 39.99 ... also a viking 1g for 70 after rebate...
The link you posted was for CompactFlash, not Secure Digital. I'm looking for SD - but do you have a GPS that uses CF?
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I've been looking at new and used, and gotta say I don't think any of the used systems I've found on eBay or elsewhere online are real bargains. They might be okay for users who really need a machine right this minute and are strapped for cash - but they're really not good deals.
A quick review of this Sunday's paper shows complete NEW entry-level desktop systems at all the major office supply and computer stores for between $500-$700. Laptops from $800 to $1000. None less than a 2 gig processor, none less than 256 meg of RAM, none with less than 30 gig HD. That's the LOW END of the new PC market.
Sure, thats hundreds more than a used system - but when you consider warranties, up to date software versions, and much longer usable lifetimes, I'd say it's money wisely spent.
Of course, I'm a hard customer to please. I could get by with processor in the 500-600 MHz range, 512 meg of RAM, 20 gig HD, and Win98/SE to run the few PC programs I want. That would be a big boost over running Virtual PC on my Mac.
But I can't see paying even $400 for that kind of system when just a few hundred extra buys so much more. Anybody have a sub-$400 system that meets / exceeds those specs?
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The only bastard of these places is that, for some reason, they don't want to ship these items overseas!!
So us poor cachers in Australia are stuck running around with our WaxTablet PCs...
Is there an export opportunity here? If I buy up a couple dozen and ship 'em to you, can we make some profit?
Of course, i'm not in it for the money - I'm just interetsed in helping out the poor oppressed wax-tablet users.
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Update: 512M for $57, 1 GIG for $99!
http://dealram.com/prices/30/1GB.html
Of course, these spot prices change daily - might be wrong by the time you read this
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... one thing I do notice about the iFinders... my normal EPE without waas is about 60 feet. With waas, the lowest I can get is 15 feet ...
Which iFinder model(s) do you have?
I don't think EPE means much by itself. A better test is simply to set a waypoint of a known spot, then navigate back to that exact spot later and see how close the GPS thinks you are. Another is to leave it powered up in a fixed location for a few hours and watch how much the position wanders.
By both of those measures (as well as EPE), the replacement unit they sent me seems better than the first one I got. The first one was adequate - but this one is outstanding.
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You seem to be kind of paranoid about the batteries fitting too tightly...
Y'know, I really thought that too when I first noticed the problem - wondered if I was making too big a deal out of it. I know you don't want them jostling loose.
But when it started tearing up the cases on my batteries when I'd remove and replace them to get at the MMC card, I pursued it. There really WAS a problem with this one unit, and their engineer confirmed it The contacts on the replacement unit have a lot more "give" to them.
Something else that's interesting - the replacement unit locks faster, shows stronger signals, and lower EPE numbers than the first one I got. I think that first one might have been built on a Monday; the replacement is much better
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Ever since I got my iFinder H2O, I've thought the batteries fit too tightly - it would actually mar the battery's contacts while inserting and removing them. Had a couple of phone conversations with Lowrance tech support, finally emailed them some high-rez photos of what I thought was causing the problems.
The next day I got a phone call back from the engineer who designed the case! He saw something amiss in the snapshots and was very eager to figure out what exactly was wrong. Also seemed eager to get my impressions of the product, any sugegstions I might have for improvement, etc.
I ended up getting a replacement unit from them, and the batteries fit a lot better in this one. But I'm really impressed with the level of support.
ANYHOW - if you have one of these units and think the batteries fit too tightly, here's what to check. Open the battery compartment, take the batteries out, and look into the compartment. At both ends of the case are battery contacts. On the right side is a "bridge" that will touch the ends of both batteries. On the left side are individual contacts for each battery.
What seems to have happened with mine was that some of the epoxy used to waterproof the compartment oozed behind the individual contacts before it cured. This kept the contacts from compressing down as needed when the batteries were in place.
The contacts on both sides should be a bit "springy" - you should be able to squeeze them down with your fingers. If your batteries seem too tight, and the contacts on either side are NOT springy, (you can't compress them) then you probably have the same problem!
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...http://www.techbargains.com ... listed 256's for $16 and 512's for $45 by stacking rebates, coupons, sales, and eye of newt.
D@mn! We're fresh out of eye of newt here. Did they offer any bargains on toad's tears or bat's wings?
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... prices you have found seem to be pretty good...Where'd you find them?
Best spot prices on ANY kind of memory: http://www.dealram.com
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Best price I can find online is $57 for a 512M or $113 for a 1 gig card. Any cheaper sources?
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Staples.com is selling the Vista for $299.
Ha, that's more than suggested retail per Garmin's site
http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexVista/
Going rate on eBay seems to be between $175 and $190. $169 is pretty good for new in box from a reputable vendor!
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...what are the brass threads on the side used for???
For the gimbal mount like you would use on a boat (or if you felt like bolting that mount to your dashboard). it's the same cradle for windshield, bicycle, and boat; it's just the mounting hardware that difers.
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... For example, if you're using the Windows API that interleaves bytes of data and control information ...
In computer terms, RS232 is an ancient standard for conveying a simple stream of bits; the OS shouldn't do any more than deal with documented send, recieve, and handshaking lines. No wonder things break; all them "helpful" APIs make emulation/conversion is a moving target.
... isn't an option if there are no native drivers available; for example you couldn't install the Garmin 60/USB (USB, not serial) driver for OS/X becuase there's the minor detail that it doesn't exist.I know; I made my original comments only thinking of USB->RS232 converters. Up until now the biggest problem USB posed for me (and I imagine many other people) was getting legacy RS232 equipment to work on USB-only equipped computers. But as vendors start making their own custom USB implementations, things will get a lot worse.
Makes me wish for the good old days
when getting a SCSI chain working was a matter of black magic and sheer luck. USB is rapdily becoming today's SCSI - supposed to make life easier, but just makes more work for the techs.
Will probably still have the laptop in the truck with us just to look things up if we need more information about an area than the GPS tells us.
when getting a SCSI chain working was a matter of black magic and sheer luck. USB is rapdily becoming today's SCSI - supposed to make life easier, but just makes more work for the techs.
Mercator Meters
in GPS technology and devices
Posted
Right, I know how to use Google too; did my own searches a couple weeks ago. But you're either reading something differently than I am, or you didn't understand my original question. In particular, the "third link down" when I ran your search was this one:
http://www.nysgis.state.ny.us/inventories/cscic.htm
...which doesn't mention Mercator Meters as used by Lowrance at all. The SECOND link looked more promising,
http://home.cfl.rr.com/genecash/eagle.html
...since it actually DOES talk about Lowrance, but only discusses conversions and doesn't address my original query.
Could you point to what you thought explained it "pretty easy"?
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Things I already knew, before posting my question in here:
- Lowrance GPSRs store coordinates internally in Mercator Meters
- Mercator Meters are not the same as Universal Transvere Mercator coordinates
- How to convert from Mercator Meters to decimal degrees (and back again)
What I don't understand is if there is some distinct advantage to this coordinate system. Does it offer some shortcut trick for calculating distances between waypoints? Is it the most efficient way to store coords in computer memory (4 bytes for lat, 4 for lon)? Or is it just something engineers at Lowrance made up and they like it because it's their own creation?
Is the answer lurking in Google somewhere, or in the collective knowledge of this forum?