+Seganku Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I've been using an Etrex H for the last couple of years and I have been putting the coordinates in by hand. I've been considering buying a lead so that I can download the coordinates. My questions are: Am I right in guessing it will just be the coordinates that get downloaded onto this particular unit or do clues and other info also get downloaded? Do you have to manually input names/numbers for the downloaded coordinates or are they named/numbered from the download? I'm running Windows 7 (which by the way was MY idea) - Would a serial converter lead need to have software to support it? Finally, is it easy enough to transfer data or should I just stick with the old thumbs? Thanks for any advice for which I think is probably a reoccurring question Quote Link to comment
+Just Roger Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I can't say for certain about Etrex H but I have been using an old type Etrex for 6 years. The name is transferred with the coords and only that - no hints, logs etc. As for what the name is, it depends on how you download the coords. I use GSAK and have chosen to use smart names with A,B,C,etc added to the end for Child waypoints. But you could us the GC code (with the GCstripped off) if you prefer. If you can enter 500 waypoints in about 30 seconds - stick to thumbs otherwise definitely go for cable. I don't know about windows 7 - It might handle a serial converter with its own drivers but if it doesn't you will have to install from the disk which should come with the converter lead . Quote Link to comment
+The Slaughter Family Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I have a yellow Etrex.....very basic one. I bought a cable, but I have not had much luck with making the connection work. Quote Link to comment
+Mallah Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I have an eTrex Legend and found a Garmin to USB cable on ebay. Win7 has problems with the PL2303 driver needed but I eventually found one that worked. The adaptor method doesn't work with Win7 but as I say, there is a driver out there for the Garmin to USB. You can find it here http://www.usglobalsat.com/download/546/win_drivers.zip It only downloads co ords and the GC name though and labels it as a cache. Quote Link to comment
+FuzzyBears Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) We have 2 ETrex H and use a serial lead with a serial->usb adapter and have used the same thing on XP Vista and Win 7 The USB adapter came from Maplin (dearer than most but I use it for 3 different units)... with Premium membership we download PQs to GSAK(free /cheap software) and then upload to the H the caches for the area we are heading for.. Doing it this way you can choose what 'name' you see on the H we use the smartname from GSAK which is a unique title that GSAK sets up but you can also send GC nos etc but with the new longer GC numbers you have to get GSAK to strip off the GC from the start Edited February 11, 2011 by fuzzybears Quote Link to comment
+The Patrician Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I have no personal experience, but see: http://www.fixya.com/support/t5370522-driver_windows_7 http://www.expertgps.com/usb-to-serial-adapter.asp From http://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-RS232-Converter-Cable/dp/B00077DJIQ "The converter supplied probably does not use the Prolific chip set. I bought a converter that did work (using the Prolific driver in the box) from Maplin. If the installation is successfully completed, you will find a COM port in Device Manager. If not, you are out of luck. I recommend that you check that any converter you buy works with your operating system before buying" Quote Link to comment
+hawkeye81 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I've been using an Etrex H for the last couple of years and I have been putting the coordinates in by hand. I've been considering buying a lead so that I can download the coordinates. My questions are: Am I right in guessing it will just be the coordinates that get downloaded onto this particular unit or do clues and other info also get downloaded? Nope, just the coordinates. Do you have to manually input names/numbers for the downloaded coordinates or are they named/numbered from the download? Depends on the tool you use to download them - the Garmin plugin for GC.com gives each waypoint a number based on the cache id, GSAK (by default) gives each waypoint a name derived from the cache name. I'm running Windows 7 (which by the way was MY idea) - Would a serial converter lead need to have software to support it? I use a standard serial cable (no usb convertor - they were too much hassle) on Windows 7 and it works just fine. Finally, is it easy enough to transfer data or should I just stick with the old thumbs? Thanks for any advice for which I think is probably a reoccurring question It is easy enuough once set up - certianly a lot quicker than putting them in by hand! Quote Link to comment
+Seganku Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 Thank you for all the advice. Going to look into buying a suitable lead. Quote Link to comment
+DH/NH Heppy Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 USB-SERIAL CONVERTER DATA CABLE - GARMIN eTrex,GEKO GPS on Ebay £14.50 Quote Link to comment
+Bear and Ragged Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Or Maplins, if you don't want to ebay... Or would rather do the 'old fashioned thing' and go into a shop! Quote Link to comment
+Seganku Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 Thanks. Once I get one I'll probably have more questions Quote Link to comment
+Mallah Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 USB-SERIAL CONVERTER DATA CABLE - GARMIN eTrex,GEKO GPS on Ebay £14.50 I bought one of these, but it just would not work with Win7. Just have a quick look on Google and there are hundreds of threads discussing how to get them to work. Quote Link to comment
+DH/NH Heppy Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 USB-SERIAL CONVERTER DATA CABLE - GARMIN eTrex,GEKO GPS on Ebay £14.50 I bought one of these, but it just would not work with Win7. Just have a quick look on Google and there are hundreds of threads discussing how to get them to work. Aahh dont be saying that, just thought i had found an easy out for myself. My poor head hurts now. Quote Link to comment
+Mallah Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 USB-SERIAL CONVERTER DATA CABLE - GARMIN eTrex,GEKO GPS on Ebay £14.50 I bought one of these, but it just would not work with Win7. Just have a quick look on Google and there are hundreds of threads discussing how to get them to work. Aahh dont be saying that, just thought i had found an easy out for myself. My poor head hurts now. The easy way out is an all in one cable and the driver I provided a link to above. I found my cable on ebay from a company called kaWaMall. Might be worth dropping them a line to see if they have any in stock. Quote Link to comment
+jason johnson Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 I have an eTrex Legend and found a Garmin to USB cable on ebay. Win7 has problems with the PL2303 driver needed but I eventually found one that worked. The adaptor method doesn't work with Win7 but as I say, there is a driver out there for the Garmin to USB. You can find it here http://www.usglobalsat.com/download/546/win_drivers.zip It only downloads co ords and the GC name though and labels it as a cache. Never had much success getting pc and etrex to talk to each other before but I`ve just tried using this driver and it worked straight away Thanks for the link Quote Link to comment
+Seganku Posted February 22, 2011 Author Share Posted February 22, 2011 Just ordered a USB serial converter cable. Fingers crossed I can get it to work. Quote Link to comment
+Seganku Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Received the cable today. Works fine. I downloaded Easygps - does anyone know if this has an option for changing the GC code for when you send to the gps? Quote Link to comment
+Just Roger Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Received the cable today. Works fine. I downloaded Easygps - does anyone know if this has an option for changing the GC code for when you send to the gps? Pretty certain it doesn't. For that you need GSAK Quote Link to comment
+Seganku Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Is there a GSAK help thread anywhere? Quote Link to comment
+agentmancuso Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 (edited) Is there a GSAK help thread anywhere? There's a whole forum! Edited February 24, 2011 by agentmancuso Quote Link to comment
+Seganku Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Cool! Sooooooo, I've ran a PQ and sent it to GSAK. Now how do I change the code of the caches (I want to number them). Sick of me yet? Quote Link to comment
+Seganku Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Doh! I found out how to do it. Very cool Quote Link to comment
+picona Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 We have a etrex H i downloaded all drivers and updates from garmin site not had a problem with it. We use it on vista and windows 7. Quote Link to comment
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