Serial/usb Patch Cables

[+pathfinder 2]

I'm a newbie in the geocache world and really the computer world also. However, I have purchased a Garman eTrex Legend GPSr. It comes with a serial cable and my laptop is fitted with USB ports. My question is whether any serial/USB patch cable will do or do you need a special one. Best Buy store has suggest a product name a "BELKIN USB PDA ADAPTER". To me this is for PDA's not GPSr's. Any help is greatly appreciated

[dboggny]

i use that particular product for both an extrex yellow upload and magellan stuff, so i think its fine.

db

[Dale_Lynn]

I would be more comfortable if cable said just " generic USB to Serial port adapter cable"... Not sure if "PDA" has anything significant about how cable function. But YES any good generic USB/Serial adapter cable should allow GPSr (with serial port) to communicate with laptop or desk top through USB port...

 

Main thing that will give you a headache is finding what COM port number "system" will assign to USB/Serial adapter.... My system usually come up as COM 5.

 

Other factor is you need to load adapter cable drivers (from supplied CD) before you plug in cable and try to use it.

 

Information in this thread may be of help...

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=110779

 

Dale

Edited October 19, 2005 by Dale_Lynn

[+EScout]

Yes, this is what you want. The Belkin is a very good quality product. It even has 3 LED lights that show you connection and data flow. It was marketed to be used for PDAs, but can be used for any serial device.

[+pathfinder 2]

Thanks very much for the advise - builds confidence in my "education"