GPS units and GR-Level III

[dmckemy]

I had a few questions concerning GPS units and GR-Level III...I'm currently looking to get a GPS for Christmas, but want to make sure I pick up the right one.

Are there any specific GPS units that work with GR-Level III? Are there any that I should be aware of that don't work so well?

Will I need to get additional equipment/wires in order to use the GPS with GR-Level III?

For those who use their GPS with GR-Level III, was it pretty easy to set up and get it running correctly?

I appreciate any help anyone can offer with this! Thanks!

 

[JeffGonzales]

I use the US Globalsat BU 353. It works great with GRlevel3. I would also recommend to get GPSgate with it so u can run alot of different applications with just one GPS unit. Its is around $50 brand new. Here is a link: http://www.thegpsstore.com/US-GlobalSat-BU-353-USB-port-GPS-Receiver-P869C270.aspx

 

[D. Hayes]

A bit cheaper here at amazon:


$36
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PKX2KA/ref=oss_T15_product

 

[Terry Tyler]

I would reccomend the Delorme Earthmate LT-40. Its a little over $60 but is an awesome product worth every dollar. Ive had mine a little over a year and a half, and its never quit or run out of signal.

http://www.amazon.com/DeLorme-Earthmate-GPS-LT-40-Plus/dp/B0014A2LIE

It uses a Delorme Serial Emulator which is free. Basically you choose which port you want to emulate and plug it into your GR product. Its simple, and theres not alot of hassle. Takes about a minute to set up and get running once youve got everything together.

 

[mpearce]

This is my first post here. I can't believe I found this website, and this post!! This is the exact question about the exact set up that I'm looking for!

I am looking to get GRLevel3 on my laptop, and use it in conjunction with a GPS program. I like the idea of the GlobalSat USB puck to use...but is that compatable with any GPS program?

Besides the Delorme...can you use a Garmin program, or anything else?

Everyone that posts about the Delorme, talks about the "emulator thing". I'm totally new to all of this...have never seen any of it in use...just trying to get everything I need to be mobile, and chase. If I use some other GPS program...so I still need to use an emulator?

How difficult is it to get the GRlevel3 to work in conjunction with the GPS program? Can someone chime in here who uses this exact set up? Thanks!

-Mat

p.s. Can someone also suggest the ideal laptop to use for chasing, and running these programs? Also...if a new laptop is purchased...are these programs mentioned ^^^^ compatibale with Windows7 or Vista? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[JeffGonzales]

This is my first post here. I can't believe I found this website, and this post!! This is the exact question about the exact set up that I'm looking for!

I am looking to get GRLevel3 on my laptop, and use it in conjunction with a GPS program. I like the idea of the GlobalSat USB puck to use...but is that compatable with any GPS program?

Besides the Delorme...can you use a Garmin program, or anything else?

Everyone that posts about the Delorme, talks about the "emulator thing". I'm totally new to all of this...have never seen any of it in use...just trying to get everything I need to be mobile, and chase. If I use some other GPS program...so I still need to use an emulator?

How difficult is it to get the GRlevel3 to work in conjunction with the GPS program? Can someone chime in here who uses this exact set up? Thanks!

-Mat

p.s. Can someone also suggest the ideal laptop to use for chasing, and running these programs? Also...if a new laptop is purchased...are these programs mentioned ^^^^ compatibale with Windows7 or Vista? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I use the exact set up for the BU 353. I is very easy to set up. Just install the driver that comes with the GPS and then just go to GRlevel3 and click file, GPS , then start. It shows up as a white circle on the map. This GPS has worked so far with every program i have used that needs a GPS unit. I use WIndows Vista by the way.

The Laptop I use is the Dell XPS m1210. It is small so great for the feild but has 4G or ram so can run alot of programs. 320G hard drive so can store alot of Pics and Video. Good graphics and can run 3d programs well. has 4 usb ports and a DV port.

 

[dmckemy]

Thanks for all of the responses so far (and glad this could help you mat!). If I were to get the US Globalsat BU 353, would I need to GPSgate in order to run GR-Level III? Jeff had mentioned that with it you could run several different applications with it, but if I'm just wanting to run GR, would I need it? The Delorme Earthmate LT-40 looked good, though if I could run GR on the other GPS and save some money, I'll probably end up doing that...

Also, what kind of wire do you use in order to connect the GPS to your laptop? Is it something that comes with the GPS unit in the box?

Thanks again for all of the help/replies!

 

[Terry Tyler]

Thanks for all of the responses so far (and glad this could help you mat!). If I were to get the US Globalsat BU 353, would I need to GPSgate in order to run GR-Level III? Jeff had mentioned that with it you could run several different applications with it, but if I'm just wanting to run GR, would I need it? The Delorme Earthmate LT-40 looked good, though if I could run GR on the other GPS and save some money, I'll probably end up doing that...

Also, what kind of wire do you use in order to connect the GPS to your laptop? Is it something that comes with the GPS unit in the box?

Thanks again for all of the help/replies!

I believe all the GPS units listed above run off a standard USB port.

- Terry

 

[JeffGonzales]

Thanks for all of the responses so far (and glad this could help you mat!). If I were to get the US Globalsat BU 353, would I need to GPSgate in order to run GR-Level III? Jeff had mentioned that with it you could run several different applications with it, but if I'm just wanting to run GR, would I need it? The Delorme Earthmate LT-40 looked good, though if I could run GR on the other GPS and save some money, I'll probably end up doing that...

Also, what kind of wire do you use in order to connect the GPS to your laptop? Is it something that comes with the GPS unit in the box?

Thanks again for all of the help/replies!

You dont absolutely need GPS gate for it to run on GRlevel3. You only need it if you are going to be using you gps for more then one program like Spotternetwork or a RoadMaps application. It really helps but is not necessary for GRlevel3.

The BU 353 is small and has a built in USB so u just plug it into you USB port and your good to go. so no other connection wires are necessary

 

[dmckemy]

Thanks Jeff and Tyler! I appreciate the help!

 

[Joe Dorn]

I had a few questions concerning GPS units and GR-Level III...I'm currently looking to get a GPS for Christmas, but want to make sure I pick up the right one.

Are there any specific GPS units that work with GR-Level III? Are there any that I should be aware of that don't work so well?

Will I need to get additional equipment/wires in order to use the GPS with GR-Level III?

For those who use their GPS with GR-Level III, was it pretty easy to set up and get it running correctly?

I appreciate any help anyone can offer with this! Thanks!

I searched out one of my old replies about GPS units that might be of interest; you must have NMEA 'sentences' for most programs such as GRLx to work and many of the new 'traveler' units do not have this capability.

There are several informative previous threads on GPS units and programs in the forum; use the search facility in the blue bar above; enter GPS or NMEA and enjoy...

I have been playing with GPS for many years and was a bit surprised when I found out the newer units designed for automobile navigation do not have NMEA output. I recently purchased a Garman Nuvi and am disappointed in its lack of capability compared to the older units such as the Garmin GPS II, GPS III and GPS III+. It is designed for the masses without need for anything other than "how to get there" information and like a pretty display. I have a Garmin Nuvi 750 and it does a good job of getting you to the end point. I am amazed at the database that is in the unit. I dislike setting up the trip on the device and miss the sunset times available on the old units.

When you have 72 year old eyes night time and dim light (as in chasing) driving becomes a dangerous endeavor. We try to be near a motel by dark and use sunset as a guide to where we will be.

We have just returned from a 3500 mile trip that included 14 states and Canada. The Nuvi did an excellent job of road navigation, including our incursion into Canada, however we were running a Delorme BT-20 into a laptop thru GPS Gate to use the mapping programs and GRL3. The Bluetooth connection worked well. We used a cigarette lighter cord with mini USB connection to keep the BT-20 and cell phones charged.

I believe that you can connect a Garmin non-NMEA GPS device to the laptop programs via GPS gate bases on the following information from their WEB site:

"The USB version of Garmin GPS receivers (like Garmin 18) do not support NMEA, they only support Garmin's own protocol. Therefore very few GPS applications can use Garmin USB GPS receivers. GpsGate solves this problem! You can connect GpsGate to a Garmin USB GPS and GpsGate will make the Garmin GPS appear as a normal NMEA GPS connected to a serial port. And! You can connect any number of GPS applications to the GPS at the same time! Including nRoute!"

I will verify this the next time I am playing with the GPS units.

Our third GPS unit on this trip was a Byonics GPS 2 connected to my Kenwood D-710. This is a small mag mount unit that is very reasonably priced available from Byonics.com. It has a standard DB-9 connection. This unit is permanently installed in the vehicle.

BEWARE... The high dollar GPS units are a favorite target for thief. The suction cup mount or ring left on the windshield are invitations for a break-in. We removed as may of the toys as possible each night and during our prolonged stay at the Detroit hotel.

If you read through the threads you will see why most of us use GPSGate or some similar interface program. Knowing where the storm in is important; GPS and GRL3 are great for this. Knowing where you are and how to get away from the storm is more important; the many mapping programs and GPS is great for this.

Since you are new to the GPS world, get your GPS unit and GRL3 and connect them together then move to GPSGate and the other programs... These are among my favorite toys.

 

[mpearce]

I use the exact set up for the BU 353. I is very easy to set up. Just install the driver that comes with the GPS

Thanks for the reply! But, which GPS? Or does it matter? From what I gather, the Globalsat BU353 is the USB cable and puck only, right? Will this work with Garmin, or Delorme? Which GPS software are you using?

I was looking at this option

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=13484&ra=true#inTheBoxTab
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=32632

VS this option

http://www.amazon.com/DeLorme-Earth...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259429027&sr=8-2
http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259429121&sr=8-1

Price dosen't really matter for me, I just want something easy to use, easy to install, and compatible with windows Vista.

Which would you go with?

Then, also....considering this set up...what "air card" or other wireless or satalite internet card would you recommend to go mobile?

Thanks for all the help, and everyone else who replied to my questions.

-Mat

 

[Terry Tyler]

what "air card" or other wireless or satalite internet card would you recommend to go mobile?

Thanks for all the help, and everyone else who replied to my questions.

-Mat

- http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19639&highlight=wireless+internet

There are several threads out there that discuss wireless internet cards. These threads can easily be accessed by using the search function. I have provided you to a link that may have useful information for you. Personally, i would get your wireless internet through Verizon. It comes with a USB internet card, and shouldent cost to much to get depending on your credit score. I was grandfathered in on unlimited upstream and downstram data through Alltel and its the best available for my part of the country.

Verizon is among the best running, but it depends on what part of the country you will be chasing. It costs me $60 and change a month to keep active. If your serious about purchasing one, i highly reccomend you also purchase a cell-amp or atleast an external antenna. My amp/antenna has made a world of difference from the traditional USB card. I reccomend Maximum Signal for buying an amp. Check them out here.

- https://www.maximumsignal.net/store/home.php

 

[Wes Carter]

I have used the DeLorme puck for a while and I concur that it is almost trouble free, at least on the hardware end. The problem I have had with it is that it requires the use of DeLorme Serial Emulator, then you have to use Franson GPS Gate to be able to use the GPS with other programs. I use GRLevel3, DeLorme Street Atlas, and Spotter Network so I have to use GPS Gate to spread the GPS data around.

I have had problems getting things to communicate a couple of times. The DeLorme Serial Emulator is just another thing in there that needs to be troubleshot when you are on the road and on the storm. I decided to go with the Globalsat BU353 to eliminate the extra piece of software I have to run. I have yet to chase with it, but many swear by it. It seems to be rugged and I think it locks in more quickly than my DeLorme. My DeLorme is about 4 years old now, so the newer ones might be quicker.

As far as laptops go, I have a Toshiba with Vista and it seems to be stable and runs all of my software just fine, save for the GPS issues I mentioned. But I had the same issues last year with my Dell D610 running XP. But if I had my choice I'd buy another Itronix GoBook. They are rugged, weathertight, have touch screens, and the screen doesn't wash out in sunlight like both of my current laptops do. But they are pricey. I had one for a few years and used it my first year of chasing. Other than becoming obsolete, it was the best notebook I ever had. Touch screens are the sh** IMHO, especially when you have to check something beside the road.

As I mentioned before, screen brightness is something that I will look at more closely in the future when buying notebooks. They do tend to wash out in sunlight. I have found that if you are following a storm sometimes the setting sun comes in the back window and washes out the screen.

I'm still new at this and many of these guys have a lot of this stuff down to an art. I just thought I'd share some of the pitfalls I recently experienced.

 

[mpearce]

I have had problems getting things to communicate a couple of times. The DeLorme Serial Emulator is just another thing in there that needs to be troubleshot when you are on the road and on the storm. I decided to go with the Globalsat BU353 to eliminate the extra piece of software I have to run. I have yet to chase with it, but many swear by it. It seems to be rugged and I think it locks in more quickly than my DeLorme. My DeLorme is about 4 years old now, so the newer ones might be quicker.

Wes,

Thanks for the detailed reply. I think you may have answered my question. Here is what I think you're saying...

If I use Delorme Earthmate LT-40 GPS software...don't use the Delorme puck receiver because of the added hastle of having to "also" run the emulator program. Instead...use the Globalsat BU353 puck receiver with the Delorme GPS software, and run that on top of my GRLevel3 weather radar.

Is that right?

-Mat