Niccolò Ubalducci
Hi fiends, I'm searching for one gps to interface with my grlevel3.
Can you say me what model can I buy?
thanks a lot!
Can you say me what model can I buy?
thanks a lot!
John Erwin
EF5
I'm not sure what you have available to you; you need a GPS unit that can output NMEA formatted data.
This can take several forms:
- a GPS "puck" type receiver that plugs into a USB port on your laptop (watch for older "Serial" type units since most laptops don't have a serial port anymore). A good brand to look for would be Holux, but there are others. Other variations output the data via bluetooth.
- A handheld GPS unit typically used for hiking etc.; many of these can output NMEA data via a cable to your laptop (check first before buying). Brands include Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan and others.
- Some cell phones have the ability to output GPS data in NMEA format. For instance we just bought some Samsung Ruggedized phones for my workplace that include the ability to output GPS via cable or bluetooth. Haven't tried that functionality yet, but would cut down on equipment required for some people. There's also some data cards that you can use GPS data from as well.
Avoid car navigation units like Tom Tom since most of them don't have the required output available from them (there are a few exceptions though).
One of the easiest ways to get what you need might be to purchase a mapping program that includes a receiver with it. In North America the two most popular packages would be Microsoft Streets & Trips or Delorme Street Atlas. The receivers that come with these work well for GRLevel3 too; although if you want to use the data for several programs at once you need to do some additional setup.
Hope this helps.
This can take several forms:
- a GPS "puck" type receiver that plugs into a USB port on your laptop (watch for older "Serial" type units since most laptops don't have a serial port anymore). A good brand to look for would be Holux, but there are others. Other variations output the data via bluetooth.
- A handheld GPS unit typically used for hiking etc.; many of these can output NMEA data via a cable to your laptop (check first before buying). Brands include Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan and others.
- Some cell phones have the ability to output GPS data in NMEA format. For instance we just bought some Samsung Ruggedized phones for my workplace that include the ability to output GPS via cable or bluetooth. Haven't tried that functionality yet, but would cut down on equipment required for some people. There's also some data cards that you can use GPS data from as well.
Avoid car navigation units like Tom Tom since most of them don't have the required output available from them (there are a few exceptions though).
One of the easiest ways to get what you need might be to purchase a mapping program that includes a receiver with it. In North America the two most popular packages would be Microsoft Streets & Trips or Delorme Street Atlas. The receivers that come with these work well for GRLevel3 too; although if you want to use the data for several programs at once you need to do some additional setup.
Hope this helps.
Ben Holcomb
EF5
Microsoft Streets & Trips GPS + GPS Gate = Lots of Win
Eric Friedebach
EF2
If you go with a DeLorme puck, don’t forget to download this free serial emulator so you can use it simultaneously with more than one app.
Dick McGowan
EF5
I use Street Atlas 2006, and the yellow Earthmate receiver it comes with. To split the GPS, I use the free Delorme Serial Emulator . Here's what I do, to make sure there are no problems.
Install the Delorme Serial Emulator.
Make sure the Emulator is not on Auto-Start (it will always screw up, if it's on this for some reason)
Set the Emulator to "Off"
Start Street Atlas. (I have 4 USB ports, and using my rear left one for the GPS)
Get a 2-D or 3-D lock in Street Atlas.
Right click the Satellite icon on your system tray and turn to on. (Or just start the emulator however you wish). It should say "The emulator is now attempting to acquire a 3-D fix"
A green dot should appear letting you know it's working.
Right click the satellite dish icon again, and choose "Ports" this time.
Select all of them as NMEA.
This is the tricky part, as I have had to mess with it to find the right ones, but I use COM's "2, 5, 6" in that order. (Having the GPS connected to the rear, left USB port)
I then open GR3, and hit "Start GPS" and a list of COM ports open, I have this one set to "COM5."
Open SpotterNetwork, File>Settings> and Select COM6.
Walla, works every time as long as I remember to put the GPS unit into the same spot as the time before.
Edit: I guess I should mention if you have Windows Vista, you may run into problems, but Ryan McGinnis has found a solution in this thread....
http://stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15831&page=2
Install the Delorme Serial Emulator.
Make sure the Emulator is not on Auto-Start (it will always screw up, if it's on this for some reason)
Set the Emulator to "Off"
Start Street Atlas. (I have 4 USB ports, and using my rear left one for the GPS)
Get a 2-D or 3-D lock in Street Atlas.
Right click the Satellite icon on your system tray and turn to on. (Or just start the emulator however you wish). It should say "The emulator is now attempting to acquire a 3-D fix"
A green dot should appear letting you know it's working.
Right click the satellite dish icon again, and choose "Ports" this time.
Select all of them as NMEA.
This is the tricky part, as I have had to mess with it to find the right ones, but I use COM's "2, 5, 6" in that order. (Having the GPS connected to the rear, left USB port)
I then open GR3, and hit "Start GPS" and a list of COM ports open, I have this one set to "COM5."
Open SpotterNetwork, File>Settings> and Select COM6.
Walla, works every time as long as I remember to put the GPS unit into the same spot as the time before.
Edit: I guess I should mention if you have Windows Vista, you may run into problems, but Ryan McGinnis has found a solution in this thread....
http://stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15831&page=2
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