Globalsat BU 353 Or Garmin Handheld?

[charliehows]

I'm thinking about a gps receiver for the laptop running OPENCPN, Trying to decide between a (cheaper) gsat bu353 or a usb pluggable garmin handheld -
anyone had experience of either or, even better, both and care to make a recommendation?

[barnakiel]

I have both. What do you want to know?

b.
BU / Garmin 72/76

[charliehows]

is the gsat 353 a plug and play or does it need software/setting up? Does a basic garmin etrex usb require software to connect it to opencpn - i dont even know if it will work or not...
essentially i want to 'activate' the position marker so i can use the laptop as a backup chartplotter - if the garmin can do it easily i'll get one of them because its a great gps backup for paper charts.
i'd also like to get AIS plot running on opencpn for overnighting. my nine lives are running out.

[El Pinguino]

I have both, the Garmin spends its life in a box.... the BU lives under the dodger just outside the hatch. Its hooked up to a PC which has both Cmap and Open CPN on it. It came with a small install program which as I recall I ran to set it up, find which port it was using, etc.
They aren't waterproof and mine, when mounted in a more exposed position, stopped working due to moisture ingress... I hung it up to dry and when the (fresh) water had stopped dripping out of it I plugged it back in and away it went again.

[bdbcat]

charliehows....

Just so you know, remember that the BU353 is not compatible with Windows 8. Lots of google hits on this subject.

Good Luck
Dave

[charliehows]

Originally Posted by bdbcat

charliehows....

Just so you know, remember that the BU353 is not compatible with Windows 8. Lots of google hits on this subject.

Good Luck
Dave

yeah, i did a bit of reading - i'm running on xp so shouldnt be a problem

[Gilletarom]

hello BdbCat, Hell All,

Originally Posted by bdbcat

charliehows....

Just so you know, remember that the BU353 is not compatible with Windows 8. Lots of google hits on this subject.

Good Luck
Dave

Yes I agree with you BdbCat, BU353 ( with sirf III) is not compatible with W8.

BUT,

Now, there is a new model : BU 353 S4 with SIRF Star IV.

Several users of French OpenCPN have successfully tested the new version "BU 353 S4" with W8. It now appears that the problems are resolved.


http://www.globalsat.com.tw/products...n_product_id=2

B.R. Gilletarom

[CarCode]

Originally Posted by Gilletarom

hello BdbCat, Hell All,



Yes I agree with you BdbCat, BU353 ( with sirf III) is not compatible with W8.

BUT,

Now, there is a new model : BU 353 S4 with SIRF Star IV.

Several users of French OpenCPN have successfully tested the new version "BU 353 S4" with W8. It now appears that the problems are resolved.


http://www.globalsat.com.tw/products...n_product_id=2

B.R. Gilletarom

Of course you can always buy new hardware for a new OS. But who wants this? It's a shame a manufacturer does not update his drivers. I would avoid such manufacturers.

Gerhard

[barnakiel]

Neither BU nor Garmin can be used without drivers.

IF your BU or PC pack up, you have no backup. If PC packs up, you have your Garmin as a backup GPS/plotter. +1 for Garmin then. And it can be run on batteries too. +2 for Garmin. And you can keep it in the pocket and use in the rain / plying spray. ETC.

To feed AIS into OpenCPN you will need a nmea (serial) to USB cable, unless you buy a USB out AIS receiver.

We use a SH radio for AIS (small AIS screen but forwards AIS NMEA data to PC) and Garmins (72/76) and a netbook with MaxSea / Deckman / SeaClear / OpenCPN (testing only) and we also use BU. All the above and more interface easily and without issues.

This much said, on a passage I use most of the gear un-interfaced.

IMHO the biggest bonus is ability to plan the route on your PC and transfer the WPTs to the plotter (handheld Garmin, in our case). Saves loads of time and probably some errors vis transferring the data by hand.

b.