GPS + weather programs, tracking location in relation to radar

[D. Hayes]

I'm sure it's been brought up a million times but search isn't being very friendly. I tried to search GPS, but no results came up and I find that hard to believe since there are a few GPS threads on this front page alone.

Anyways...

I've got a Alltel unlimited internet setup coming in a few days. The phone I can tether via bluetooth to my laptop. I also have a USB Earthmate GPS for my laptop. Now someone remind me what weather programs can merge my GPS data with the weather display to show my location?

I know I read about this before I just can't find it right now.

Thanks!

 

[Brandon Sullivan]

Hey there..

Well, 2 really awesome programs come to mind..

GR Level 3
Swift Wx

 

[David Drummond]

It's not weird. Forum isn't supposed to be logging words 3 characters or smaller. I did it on "GPS weather" and this thread was first to come up.

Could you imagine trying to log all the "the and but as we" etc on this forum.

 

[D. Hayes]

Yea I was thinking that the 3 letter limit might be the problem but most forums just tell you that issue when you try the short word search and not say no results found. Thanks though.

I just looked up that SwiftWX and it looks pretty dang good. Any reason not to get that over Grlevel3?

 

[John Erwin]

Yea I was thinking that the 3 letter limit might be the problem but most forums just tell you that issue when you try the short word search and not say no results found. Thanks though.

I just looked up that SwiftWX and it looks pretty dang good. Any reason not to get that over Grlevel3?

Different pricing models. SwiftWX requires a monthly (or yearly) subscription and GRlevel3 is a one time cost (unless you want to subscribe to something like AllisonHouse for data). Personally I prefer the GRlevel3 route but I did try SwiftWX as a trial and was impressed by some of the features. I like the fact that GR has a wide interest base and you can get some interesting placefiles etc. to expand the usefulness of the product.

 

[Tony Perkins]

SwiftWX has more of a bandwidth demand so that is one thing to keep in mind. If you're at home it's no problem, but if you're on the road and your mobile internet is very slow or flaky, you may find GRL3 more reliable.

 

[Jerry Prsha]

Different pricing models. SwiftWX requires a monthly (or yearly) subscription and GRlevel3 is a one time cost (unless you want to subscribe to something like AllisonHouse for data). Personally I prefer the GRlevel3 route but I did try SwiftWX as a trial and was impressed by some of the features. I like the fact that GR has a wide interest base and you can get some interesting placefiles etc. to expand the usefulness of the product.

SwiftWX does have a one time price also. And so far, updates have been free as well... Maps galore... Just download and try it. There's a month demo you can sign up for.

 

[Brandon Lawson]

This is sort of off topic, but somewhat related as well. My dad just bought me a Nuvi 200W widescreen GPS device. The whole thing was really out of the blue for me and completely unexpected. While it cannot be hooked up to a computer for the purposes of overlaying position on something like GR3, it is pretty nifty for just using as an additional map. At first I was turned off by the 3D map display. But after realizing that you can switch the settings to an over-the-top position for a flat view, I'm really starting to dig it. Plus you can boost the amount of detail you want it to show so that dirt roads don't disappear when zooming out. And obviously it doubles as a compass and can show your travel speed.

I positioned it on my dash so that I can take brief looks at it while driving and still see what's on the road. I LOVE TOYS!!! I'm sure there are a lot better GPS devices out there, and this is a lower-end model without bells and whistles like bluetooth and such, but I'll enjoy using it none-the-less.

 

[John Erwin]

SwiftWX does have a one time price also.

If that's the case then it's hard to find that info on the website; there only appears to be a monthly or yearly subscription cost... I'm guessing the cost is to cover the dedicated feed the data comes from, without which the program wouldn't be of much use. Are you able to clarify this for us?

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

Another endosement for GRLevel3. Beautiful, beautiful program. It's the height of functionality without bloat, with an intuitive and quick GUI. There are plugins galore that willl work with it, including SpotterNetwork, which will broadcast your GPS location and display other chasers who are broadcasting their location as blips on your radar map screen. I feel like I've been transported to 15 years into the future when I chase with GRLevel3.

 

[Bill Tabor]

There's also Stormlab, and Radarlab Hd. Both provide gps tracking. Just Google them.

 

[Brandon Lawson]

I need a serial port emulator for a USB connection. I have a Garmin Nuvi 200W and I am having trouble finding what I need to download so that I can use GPS with my laptop. I already have Grlevel3, but where can I get an emulator to connect the two? Anyone have any advice?

 

[Bill Tabor]

I use Gpsgate and it's always worked great. Delorme also provides a free one for just 2 devices. You may have to install the USB to serial driver as well. That comes with the Delorme Streetatlas software and may also be downloadable off the web site. I can also email to you if needed I suppose. This maps a USB port as a Com port. You then use a tool such as Gpsgate to create additional virtual com ports that access the one USB/physical com port that the gps plugs into.

 

[John Erwin]

I need a serial port emulator for a USB connection. I have a Garmin Nuvi 200W and I am having trouble finding what I need to download so that I can use GPS with my laptop.

Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think the Nuvi's can output GPS data to your laptop or elsewhere. This is a problem with a lot of those "automotive" type GPS units. You may need to get yourself another GPS unit for this purpose.. a USB "puck" or simple bluetooth unit might fit the bill.