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Old 01-01-2014, 21:09   #16
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Re: GPS puck for MacBook Pro

That different models work interchangeably is no surprise. Almost certainly both use a Prolific RS-422 to USB bridge chip, and although they may be different models they probably use the same driver. The output from the GPS module is NMEA 0183 sentences on all non-Garmin modules AFAIK, so no changes there.

Fresh water usually doesn't hurt a solid-state circuit, particularly if it is not operating at the time. Salt water is another issue entirely. While wintering in Gothenberg Sweden a friend lost his cell phone into the marina (on a river); he recovered it a week or two later, dried it out and replaced the battery - worked just fine. Not something to count on. And I wouldn't have scuba dived in that freezing water even with a dry suit, but that is another issue also.

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Old 02-01-2014, 02:21   #17
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Re: GPS puck for MacBook Pro

Pinguino-

Your issue of system crashes is typical of badly written drivers. In Unix (and Linux until very recently) drivers are implemented with kernel extensions (.kext files) so problems cannot be isolated from the kernel. My old Mac with Snow Leopard (10.6.8) has the driver here: /System/Library/Extensions/ProlificUSBSerial.kext. This is an old 32-bit driver, version 1.2.1. The current Prolific driver is at 1.5.1 and does support 10.6.8 and up with the required 64-bit kext where required. If you don't have this version then you might update it from Prolific's website. Also, if that doesn't solve the crashing problem, then try replacing the proprietary driver with the open source one (currently v0.4.0), info here: Home of the MAC OS X PL2303 USB to RS-232 Serial Driver . Personally I would invest a little time on this as system crashes are not good...

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Old 02-01-2014, 02:25   #18
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Re: GPS puck for MacBook Pro

Thankee for that but I think I'll just leave it plugged in....
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Old 02-01-2014, 02:36   #19
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Re: GPS puck for MacBook Pro

just downloaded the dmg.... will work on it in the AM
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Old 03-01-2014, 20:06   #20
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Re: GPS puck for MacBook Pro

MAybe a silly question. As I have ordered the S4, does the puck have to be outside the cabin? Also got a reply email from the initial supplier site and he said that he had stopped doing business and was pulling his site.

Mine is coming from "offshore" China probably. We shall see.
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Old 03-01-2014, 20:14   #21
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Re: GPS puck for MacBook Pro

It 'may' work inside but I have mine under the dodger, velcroed to the end of the instrument panel. I think they come from Taiwan.
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Old 03-01-2014, 20:15   #22
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Re: GPS puck for MacBook Pro

Not a silly question, although it is not possible to give you a certain answer as it depends on the boat's construction. I have successfully used a SirfStar III in the basement of a house as well as below deck. The SirfStar IV has had to be located near a window (it is not as sensitive). The ublox 6 seems to work well both inside a house and below deck. IIUC the S4 has the SirfStar IV inside, so it may need to be located outside; YMMV.

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Old 03-01-2014, 20:26   #23
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Re: GPS puck for MacBook Pro

Quote:
Originally Posted by NorthPacific View Post
MAybe a silly question. As I have ordered the S4, does the puck have to be outside the cabin?

Probably not. Mine works fine inside from several locations in the cabin.
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Old 25-02-2014, 19:14   #24
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Re: GPS puck for MacBook Pro

Two questions:

1. With an adapter to plug it in, would the Bu-353 work on an iPad?

2. What software has anyone used with the BU-353 in their car on a Mac?
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