problem exporting routes to Garmin etrex

samellis · **Joined:** Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:58 am **Posts:** 0

I just looked at that. It doesn't mention Win 7. Thanks anyway.

SE

dales · **Posted:** Mon Aug 29, 2011 12:03 am

There are some more here! (But you've probably already found them).

Dales

John · **Joined:** Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:19 am **Posts:** 0

I tried downloading the driver from the Prolific website and I've now gone backwards! On restarting my computer I get a message saying that the driver cannot be installed. Even using the minidisc that came with the Usb/RS232 cable, I can't re-establish the limited contact I had before between MM and my GPS. All attempts to load the necessary driver fail. On checking Device Manager I get the message "This device cannot start (Code 10)". I've wasted too much time on this - I give up!

samellis · **Joined:** Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:58 am **Posts:** 0

Alan wrote:

Hi,

samellis wrote:

So, when you try 5 times, you get 5 more copies of the route on the PC!!

To me, that doesn't seem like the same problem as the others and I don't see why it should happen if you are correctly SENDING data to a GPS.

These probelms are usually caused by an "old" USB driver (what version of Windows are you using), but if you do get the "timeout" problems it's often worthwhile to disconnect everything and reboot the PC (and the Garmin) before starting again. If you're sending routes from the map screen (not from the "tree") then another thing to try is ensure that the etrex is NOT in "simulator" mode (which certainly causes problems with my Garmin).

Cheers, Alan.

Hi Alan. I have got latest version of Win7. It installed it's own driver when I plugged the cable in. Although I did not actually navigate a route, I am pretty sure it all worked with the earlier Etrex because when I sent it a route I did not get any error signals. But I have just got this H model. And that definately will not have it. I have done the reboot bit.
SE

Alan · **Joined:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 12:30 pm **Posts:** 894

Hi,

Sorry I probably can't help much more. I can only confirm that I've used an etrex H, usually with MM v5.1.3, and a "real" COM port, but I think I've used v5.4.2 and a USB adapter on my netbook, but still with XP, so Vista/Win7 is "unknown territory" for me. But connecting my GPS72H (which also has a serial port) does seem less "reliable" than my previous Garmins.

Can you connect the eTrex H with any of Garmin's sofware (Mapsource, etc.) or maybe the free/shareware GPSU ? Can you at least get basic GPS data from the etrex using both MM and the etrex set to NMEA mode? Does your "cable" have separate USB-serial and serial-Garmin parts (i.e. 9 pin connectors) ? If so, it might be worth considering replacing the USB part with a cheap but Win 7 certified adapter.

John, not all USB-serial adapters use the Prolific chip(s), maybe your adapter doesn't. Probably the easiest recovery method is to roll back your OS by a few days (i.e. use Windows System Restore).

Cheers, Alan.

samellis · **Joined:** Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:58 am **Posts:** 0

Could you give me a few tips how to use the NMEA mode Please Alan. Trying this might give me some clues as to what might be wrong. Thank you.

SE

Alan · **Joined:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 12:30 pm **Posts:** 894

Hi Sam,

In NMEA mode the GPS just transmits the current position (and some other data) usually once per second. So ideally you should position the GPS close to a window, if indoors (or the "simulator/demo" mode on the GPS might send some data anyway). With both MM and the etrex set to NMEA in their respective settings/setup menus you should get a red circle on the MM map at the "current" location. I think there is a MM support paper on NMEA testing somewhere on this site (but I'm only using a dodgy WiFi connection on my Netbook ATM).

As NMEA is a simple "send and hope" protocol it's a good way to check if the basic GPS/cable/COM port/MM are working at all. The data stream should also be receiveable by a simple terminal emulator like Hyperterminal (in Windows : Tools : Comms.) but do NOT try to run more than one application at a time.

However, the isssue with MM seems to be that they use some more "advanced" interface commands which cause some USB-RS232 interface drivers to malfunction.

Cheers, Alan.

samellis · **Joined:** Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:58 am **Posts:** 0

Hi Alan. I have just tried that. The Etrex is showing my position using NMEA. So, something is working. I am on Win7 and it does not have Hyperterminal. Any idea what else might work.

Sam

PS. I have just tried that on the Garmin mode too. That works as well. It will give me a fix and tell me how many satellites etc. But no way will it send it a route!!

SE

Alan · **Joined:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 12:30 pm **Posts:** 894

samellis wrote:

It will give me a fix and tell me how many satellites etc. But no way will it send it a route!

Hi Sam,

That's really strange. You are sending the route by right-clicking on the map? There is reported to be a bug when sending from the "tree" view. Otherwise I think it must be a limitation/incompatibility of your USB driver/hardware.

Afterthought: Have you set the maximum waypoint name characters (in MM's GPS setup) to perhaps only 6 characters (and not too many characters in the Comment field)?

Cheers, Alan.

samellis · **Joined:** Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:58 am **Posts:** 0

Yep, it's a baffler. I am doing it by right clicking on the route itself. The other bits you mentioned are all set. I did try decreasing them in case, but no go. Thanks for your help. And if you think of anything else please come back to me.

Sam

problem exporting routes to Garmin etrex

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