T&T: Dummy needs enlightening....Navigation software

[Jim Ague]

> Does anyone have any experience with this USB GPS? It
> doesn't seem to have an external antenna so I wonder how well it will
> work.

I've used an external-antennaless Garmin handheld (Etrex) for several years 
to feed info to a laptop. The handheld laid on the dashboard at the lower 
helm station of the Monk 36 and never had trouble obtaining signals.

Older laptops have Serial Ports and maybe not USB ports. Newer laptops do 
not have Serial Ports, but do have USB ports. You'll need to get/have a data 
cable to connect the GPS to the laptop. Some GPSs use USB, some use Serial 
Port. Be sure to get a proper match. Or get a Serial Port to USB adapter, 
which can be tricky to install. (ie otherwise the laptop will think the GPS 
NMEA signals are mouse inputs and your cursor goes crazy.)

USB GPSs tend to get their power from the laptop thru the USB cable. No 
batteries to worry about. The other kind eat batteries. If you need to get 
the Serial Port data cable, get the two headed kind which also has a 12VDC 
plug.

-- Jim Ague