GPS Help with GR3

[Brandon Copic]

Ok I got the GPS Reciever but it can't seem to be found....its a Microsoft Pharos GPS-500 III or something like that I downloaded the driver Mark you linked me to, but it won't find it?

 

[Mark Blue]

What operating system are you using Brandon (Windows 7, Vista, or XP and is it 32 or 64 bit)? Let me know so I am sure you are using the right drivers and the correct install procedure.

I would just follow the instructions that accompany the drivers to the letter and it should be a straight forward process.

 

[Brandon Copic]

sorry been busy lately, but I run Windows XP Pro and its a 32 bit

 

[James Wilson]

I have the Globalsat unit and though everyone loves it I've never been able to get it to work with Vista.

 

[John Erwin]

Hi Brandon;

I use that same GPS unit (works very well for me) and also use XPort. For kicks I went ahead and tried installing this setup on a WinXP box that didn't already have MS Streets and Trips installed to replicate your setup somewhat. Here's what I did:

- downloaded and installed the Pharos driver from the website (same link Mark provided above)
- connected the GPS unit. It wanted to check the Windows update service, however I bypassed that and selected Advanced Install - search system for drivers (which it found). I received a confirmation notice that the USB-Serial device was installed.
- I installed the latest version of Xport. After installing I let it find the GPS unit which it did right away (found it at COM4 on my system)
- In the XPort window select the "Microsoft USB GPS port"
- deselect the "Enable Ports" checkbox. In the right hand column make enough com port selections to match the number of outputs you will need.
- When finished reselect the "Enable Ports" checkbox. Make note of the ports you have selected.

Go into GRlevel3 and set your GPS source up with one of the ports you selected. Worked in my test.

If this still doesn't work I notice that Pharos also has a "USB-Serial Controller Driver Update for Windows XP" download; I didn't need this but it might be worth a shot if you get no joy otherwise.

Good luck!

 

[Mark Blue]

John outlined the procedure pretty well above. Hopefully you are aware that when you download the drivers here that it's a zip file and you have to unzip the contents before you run the executable file. Windows XP allows you to unzip files with it's own built in utility, but a program like Winzip affords you some extra options if you don't have it. I don't know what I can add that John didn't provide in his step by step explanation.

James, if you are running 64 bit Vista, the driver you need is here.