DaMoosen Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 What things exactly do I need to use my Legend with a laptop that I might purchase? Can it do real-time GPS-ing displayed on the laptop screen? Or can you only DL maps and waypoints to the GPS unit? I seems like it would be fun to navigate and know what's along the way. I am really new to this and have really only figured out getting to a cache so far. Quote Link to comment
+JDan150 Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 It works great. i have dun that several times. With UsaPhotomaps I have ben able to see what lane I was driving in Wahl going down the freeway. Usaphotomaps is located at www.jdmcox.com Quote Link to comment
+Baptist Deacon Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 So you were watching the laptop and not the road. Let me know when you take your next roadtrip......LOL Quote Link to comment
+IV_Warrior Posted November 26, 2003 Share Posted November 26, 2003 Not sure if the Legend comes with a data cable or not, if it doesn't, you'll need to get one. Microsoft Streets & Trips 2004 does real-time tracking with input from your GPS. You will need to set the 'communications' on the GPS to NMEA in/out. I've used Streets & Trips a good bit, and it's pretty decent. Not completely up-to-date with the roads around here, but I'd imagine it's the same as any mapping program/paper map. As more roads are built, it takes a little while for the info to make it to the maps. One annoying thing is when addresses don't show up in the right locations. I've already had one address that the location in Streets & Trips was about 6 miles from the actual location....... Quote Link to comment
DaMoosen Posted November 26, 2003 Author Share Posted November 26, 2003 So, the cable that came in the box is all I need? It is a serial to "Garmin" proprietary. Is there a FAQ set up anywhere that talks about the basics? Quote Link to comment
+CJB4589 Posted November 26, 2003 Share Posted November 26, 2003 I use a Legend with my laptop. If your laptop has a serial port then you will NOT need anything else to connect the GPS. If it has only USB ports, then you will need a USB to Serial cable. They can be found on Ebay. I have 3 different mapping applications: Streets & Trips, Mapsource, and Delorme's Street Atlas. I like the Mapsource best. I think the map detail is very good. I use the Metroguide version 4.02 with it. This version has an autoroute feature. The Delorme Street Atlas also has autorouting and it talks to you when it's time to make a turn. But it is not an intutitive program to use. All the software packages have their pros and cons. The best suggestion is to find someone who uses one and see if you can get a demo and then make a decision. Quote Link to comment
+GeckoGeek Posted November 26, 2003 Share Posted November 26, 2003 What things exactly do I need to use my Legend with a laptop that I might purchase? A cable (gpsgeek if you don't already have one) and a laptop with a serial port or some kind of adapter that will connect to the GPS cables DB-9 connector. Can it do real-time GPS-ing displayed on the laptop screen? Yes, with the right software on your laptop. Any mapping software that will take GPS input will do. Just be careful that it will connect to any USB/serial adapter you may be using. That's shouldn't be a problem, but you never know. USB serial adapters can be oddball ports. Or can you only DL maps and waypoints to the GPS unit? You can do that too. EasyGPS is a free app that will so that (but no mapping) Quote Link to comment
+Solar Max Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 I run OziExplorer on my Compaq laptop hooked via serial cable to a Legend. Ozi is running digital topos, and works like a charm. I'd never go back to looking at that small Legend screen, when the Compaq is up and going over on the passenger seat. ( I only peek at it when at red lights.) Quote Link to comment
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