Navigation Software (GPS &/or Laptop)

[Retcoastie]

I just bought a laptop and a used Garmin 76CS GPS without any software. I have read about hooking the GPS to the laptop for a larger display and for plotting a course. I'm wondering how this is done.

What programs and methods are others using?

[eric3a]

..

[Catigale]

I believe you can download the Mapsource software from Garmin that will let you do this..it comes with the GPS 76CS if you buy it new of course.

On edit - James correctly points out you need Garmins prop. charts if you want to show your charted position on Mapsource.

You can display your coordinates on the laptop and enter waypoints without this chart info, but

Each chart costs about $80-100 and are downloaded from the web....search the web for best pricing!!

[kmclemore]

FYI, the GPS 76CS is now discontinued... so if you want one, you can bargain it down!

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Map Source isn't any good to you if you don't also have Garmins proprietary charts.

You can get free raster and vector charts for the entire US from NOAA or MapTech.
http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/staff/charts.htm

You can get an number of free viewers that will let you decide which chart format you like best.

Here is my list of Apps for real time plotting.

Memory Map, still my favorite raster chart application, Low price, great features. I plan all my routes and waypoints with it, then load them in the Eagle chartplotter at the pedestal from a SD memory card.
http://www.memory-map.com/home.htm $

Ozi Explorer. Does some things others don't, supports a huge number of formats. However I hate its way of planning routes.
http://www.oziexplorer.com/ $

NavSim Boat Cruiser. Tiles raster charts, reads C-Map charts.
http://www.navsim.com/ $$

Fugawi ENC. Reads both vector and raster charts.
http://www.fugawi.com/web/products/fuga ... ne_enc.htm $$

Coastal Explorer. Tiles both raster and vector charts, tide overlays.
http://www.rosepointnav.com/default.htm $$$

Then the big boys that have been around forever. Tons of features, 3d, radar and weather overlays, etc.
http://www.maptech.com/ $$$$
http://www.nobeltec.com/ $$$$$

Your GPS will need a NMEA output cable. This will have a serial port or USB cable end. If it's the Serial you will also need a serial to USB adapter as no current laptops have RS232 serial ports anymore. Also look for some kind of weather protection. Unless you have a expensive Panasonic weatherproof toughbook, a laptop won't survive long in the cockpit. I have never found a good way to secure a laptop at the pedestal.

I also like having a 12v powersupply for my laptop (it's on board for entertainment below, not navigation which is left to the Eagle 2000c DF sounder/chartplotter at the pedestal). It saves having to plug in the laptop AC adapter to an inverter and go through a bunch of power robbing conversions. It can also be set to supply only enough power to run the laptop but not suck extra power from the boat batteries to charge the laptop battery.

[James V]

I tried to hook up my 76cx to my computer to show location but I could not figure how to do it.

Unless you can get other software to work on the Garmin 76 you are going to pay the $ 100 for a chart. You will need to also connect your computer to make this happen.

[Terry]

I have the Garmin GPSMAP76cs and not only do you need the Garmin Blue Charts but also Garmin nRoute for live tracking, found at
http://www.garmin.com/support/mappingsw.jsp
As for the laptop/notebook, don't expect to be using that out on the water unless you have a sunlight readable display like on your garmin unit, the bright sun washes out the notebook monitor. I have tried mounting my notebook on a swinging monitor arm bolted to the companionway ladder with the hatch pulled over but even then there is too much sunlight and it is difficult to see. I just bought one of those 3M privacy screens that helps block some light and I am hoping that this combined with a plasic hood fitted over the display will make it more readable, otherwise I will have to keep it well below completely out of the light to see it, (of course I also won't see it from the cockpit). Perhaps one of those toughbook notebooks (used) with a sunlight readable display (expensive) that outdoor professionals use is the way to go.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

You need nothing from Garmin, except the NMEA 183 cable to make the GPS work with any charting package on the laptop. You can get cheaper cable that works great online from third party suppliers. There is nothing unique about the 76 series GPS. It is like any other Garmin or other handheld GPS when connected to a laptop. You do not need any Garmin software or charts.

You will have to turn on NMEA output in the GPS. Once that is done it will output a constant stream of positioning sentances that your application on the laptop will recognize. For the most part the connections are plug and play, but you may need to configure the serial port on the laptop. The NMEA standard is 4800 bps, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, none (no parity checking).

If you have the Garmin or third party cable that terminates in a USB plug you should be able to just plug it in. If you have a cable that terminates in a serial plug you will need to buy a serial to USB adapter and install the drivers for it before connecting the GPS.

You probably know this, but I'll mention it anyway. The raster and vector charts you use on your laptop are not compatible with the internal GPS charts. You cannot move them to the GPS for viewing on it's screen. To do this you will need to buy the overpriced Garmin proprietary BlueCharts.

You can however create waypoints and routes on the laptop and move those points to the GPS without any Garmin software. Memory Map and most other apps support sending these points to the GPS. They will also support bringing a GPS track from the GPS into the laptop software so you can see where you have been.

Transfer of these points is usually done in a different communications mode. When you are configuring the handheld you will find you can put it in Garmin mode or NMEA mode. Use the proprietary Garmin mode when transfering points. Use NMEA mode when sending positioning data from the GPS to the laptop application.

Once you get the hang of it you will find getting your GPS to talk to the laptop is simple. I have 4 different GPS's (one is a Garmin) and they are all able to communicate with the software on my laptop.

To use the laptop in the cockpit you will need at the very least a sun visor to shade the screen. Laptop screens are terrible in direct sun. That's one of the reasons I feel a laptop is only good as a planning device. Their poor screens and the need to stay dry don't make them very useful as real time devices in the cockpit. For me, the option of having them below where they are easy to read and are protected defeats the purpose of a real time navigation device. I want my screen at the helm.

I did for many years use a Pocket PC for navigation at the helm. It's screen glowed brighter the more direct the sun was on it. It fit in a nice case to protect it from the elements. It uses the same software and charts as the laptop. Memory Map, Ozi Explorer, and Fugawi all have Pocket PC versions of their applications.

[juergen X2524]

I think it's worth to try "SeaClear".
it's a FREE!! swiss softwarepackage , availebel via internet
URL: www.sping.com/seaclear
the software uses raster-charts, either BSB/KAP or GEO/NOS
and it has a tool "MapCal" to convert and adjust other raster formats
(BMP,GIF,PNG,TIF,JPG,PCX and other) ,You can even scan your old
paper-charts and use them with the program.
It runs either under "Windows" or via "Wine" under "Linux".

juergen

[Tom Walsh]

Retcoastie
is that retired US Coast Gaurd ?
I recently got a deal on the 76cs new on ebay. I then found a deal on the software on ebay what was called land sea package(new) it included americas bluechart and metroguide. It is a fairly complex process to get the maps in the gps, they must be unlocked and loaded in a pc first then transferred to the gps.
So you may be lucky ,if the laptop you bought came from the same owner as your gps your mapsource software and maps may be in the laptop. I think you can forget about using a laptop in the cockpit underway, for the reasons others have stated. So to get the use out of that gps you need mapsource products.I don't think the gps will accept any other software. I have called garmin a number of times with questions , they have been easy to get and very helpfull 800 800 1020 . or go to mygarmin.com
read the tutorials. The 76cs does not take the bluechart data card, bluechart americas cd can be found on ebay
tom walsh 96x merc 50 bf

[ned miller]

I use a Fujitsu Tablet (Stylistic ST series) laptop with an indoor/outdoor screen and it works well. In fact, I think the screen is easier to see in daylight. Long Battery Life too. Other laptops I've had were really hard to see in sunshine. I wanted a Tablet anyway and just added a cheap ($67) GPS with USB to it and it works great. I'm still looking for good software to work with the GPS though.

[Retcoastie]

Yes, Tom. I retired from the Coast Guard back in 1980. I guess that makes me prehistoric. I remember when Hector was a pup, Moby Dick was a minnow and Dolly Parton was in a training bra.

Thanks for all the good info, keep it coming. I'm using military computers at Homestead. When I get somewhere where I can get wireless and download some of these programs I will chase the leads. Military computers won't let you download.

I will be going to the Miami Boat show and hope to get some ideas there. Then its working my way north, maybe Charlotte Harbor, Tampa Bay and on to St. Johns river.

What a great way to spend a winter.

Ken

[Catigale]

Military computers won't let you download.

Sure they do. You just have to k*** the sysop when you are done...



Note to Uber-Secretary Ashcroft....this is known as internet humour.

[kmclemore]

I remember when .... Dolly Parton was in a training bra....

Ken

It sure trained'em well.

[paj637]

I use SEACLEAR II on my older laptop stowed inside the cabin to check out the area as I tool around. Spent about $40 for the GPS reciever and another $20 for a software package off ebay that was really easy to load and use. Great for planning and can be of more than limited use sailing in my local waters. As a power boater, I wasn't concerned with 6 feet of water below the keel but things are obvious different with the centerboard fully extended. I find myself learning the waters all over again. I think its a good starter system for those that don't want to invest $800-$1000 in a chart plotter for a few uses a year. At 4-6 knots, I can turn over the helm to the wife and pop my head down into the cabin if I want to take a look while sailing. Just my 2 cents.