+nincehelser Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 I have a new laptop, but didn't realize it doesn't have the traditional DB-9 serial ports. It has instead 4 USB ports. My initial thought was to use a USB/Serial converter. However, this seems to crash my machine from time to time. According to the vendor's tech support, machines without the traditional DB-9 ports are somehow different (duh!), and they wouldn't guarantee things will ever work right...they mumbled something about the chips used. It's a long shot, but has anyone run across a converter that will work reliably on newer machines that don't have DB-9 serial ports? Or better yet, a Garmin cable for USB? I don't know if no DB-9 ports is going to be a trend, but it seems Garmin should start providing such cables. Thanks George Quote Link to comment
+jtice Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 Are you running windows XP? There is no software with the adaprter right? Seems odd it wouldnt work. As far as I know , there are now USB cables for Garmin, I dont know why, what's the holdup??? Quote Link to comment
maghawk Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 George I had the same problem. I tried a couple of friends USB to serial converters and they were marginal at best. I finally found one that works well, go here http://www.pfranc.com and check them out. And yes no serial port is the wave of the future for laptops Thom Quote Link to comment
+tirediron Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 I bought this converter cable. Came with a mini-cd driver disk (a download link for the driver is on the same page. Instructions can be found here). I am running a Toshiba 1900 P4 with WinXP home and this has worked perfectly with my eTrex Legend. Serial ports are going the way of the Dodo bird, but when are the GPS Mftr's gonna jump on the USB bandwagon? I emailed both Magellan and Garmin recently and they both told me not in a million years. [This message was edited by tirediron on April 24, 2003 at 06:19 PM.] [This message was edited by tirediron on April 24, 2003 at 06:21 PM.] Quote Link to comment
+tirediron Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 Double post, sorry Quote Link to comment
+Satch47 Posted April 26, 2003 Share Posted April 26, 2003 I also E-mailed Garmin about this problem a few days ago but have not received a reply. I'm sure as time goes on and more and more people buy computers with USB ports and no serial ports, Garmin will either have to get on board or fold. Quote Link to comment
+arrowroot Posted April 26, 2003 Share Posted April 26, 2003 I initially wrote Garmin about this too, and they said that every brand seems to work for about half the people. So buy something you can return. I'm using the Belkin USB to Serial, and it works except at the highest speeds for map downloading. A full 24MB sent to my 76S takes about an hour at 57.6K, it'd be half that at 115. I understand the GPS standard requires the serial data stream, but there's no reason why they couldn't add a USB port too -- it'd only be a couple bucks on the unit, and would significantly increase the value. I am Arrowroot, son of Arrowshirt. I have many names, you know Quote Link to comment
Alphawolf Posted April 26, 2003 Share Posted April 26, 2003 quote:but there's no reason why they couldn't add a USB port too Well...I am certainly no computer expert, but a couple of thoughts.....First, they (Garmin and Magellan both) are obviously aware of this dilemma. After all, they use these things too. Second, if it was "no problem" and only "a couple of bucks" to accomplish the task, I'm pretty sure they would have done it by now. That neither Garmin or Magellan offers USB cables tells me that, in fact, there must be some pretty substantial problems making this a reality. I would have to assume they are addressing the problem, wouldn't you? Someone above said they are going to have to "get on board or fold". Well, I don't really think we'll see either of these companies "fold" over this issue. Maybe someone with a lot more knowledge about such matters than most of us, could chime in about what might be stopping this..... "Never take a sunset for granted. Stop what you are doing and enjoy it. You never know when it may be your last" Quote Link to comment
+sbukosky Posted April 26, 2003 Share Posted April 26, 2003 The best that I've been able to do with a USB to Serial adapter is do tracks and waypoints, and that is with some trouble sometimes. Firmware and map changes don't work, at least with mine. I also find it surprising that Garmin hasn't addressed this problem yet. I checked that purple project site but didn't see a direct, to the point answer there. Steve Bukosky N9BGH Waukesha Wisconsin Quote Link to comment
+tirediron Posted April 26, 2003 Share Posted April 26, 2003 Just out of curiosity, what types of PCs is everyone using, what types of GPSr's and what types of DB9-USB converters? With the combination that I am using (see previous reply) I have had virtually no problems. Have updated firmware, uploaded and downloaded routes, maps, tracks, and waypoints. Quote Link to comment
+arrowroot Posted April 26, 2003 Share Posted April 26, 2003 quote:Originally posted by tirediron:Just out of curiosity, what types of PCs is everyone using, what types of GPSr's and what types of DB9-USB converters? Toshiba Satellite S504, Win XP Home Garmin GPSMAP 76S Belkin FSU409 USB/Serial adapter No problems except for map uploads at speeds over 57.6K, had some false starts when doing firmware update, but it did work. Hmm.. one more thought about the serial/USB thing: Garmin could provide a cradle like the PDAs use, or at least endorse and support somebody's adapter. I am Arrowroot, son of Arrowshirt. I have many names, you know Quote Link to comment
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