Send to GPS Broken in Linux Version

[fgd3]

I am unable to send a route to my Garmin GPS 72 from my Linux computer (Ubuntu 14.04, OpenCPN 4.8.6). This used to work just fine. It still works with Windows 10 running OpenCPN 4.8.6, just as it should. I used the same cable, same USB adapter, same GPS. I know I had a good connection between the GPS and OpenCPN on both computers because both showed a good GPS position and both showed data flowing in the debugging window.


The transfer appears to complete on both computers. The dialog box appears, the progress bar moves across the screen. But the GPS never gets the route from the Linux machine. At the end of the transfer from the Windows machine the GPS reports "Transfer complete".


In both cases I used the NMEA interface at 4800 bps for position data. I switched the GPS to GARMIN mode before attempting to transfer the route.


Fabbian

[fgd3]

I made a mistake in my previous post. The Linux computer is running 4.8.8, not 4.8.6. So the problem may have to do with the different operating systems or because something was touched between 4.8.6 and 4.8.8. I'm still running 4.8.6 on my Windows computer.


Fabbian

[fgd3]

More exploration has uncovered the cause of the problem. Somehow on the Linux version the "Use Garmin GRMN (Host) mode for uploads" box had become unchecked. It may have happened during an update, because I don't remember changing it. In any event, I can now upload routes to my GPS receiver on the Linux computer as well as on the Windows computer.


I uncovered some problems with the "Use Garmin (GRMN) mode for input" box. If I checked it and then clicked "OK" it was unchecked the next time I entered the Setup/Connections page. I was able to retain the setting only if I clicked "Apply" before leaving the page. Once that box was checked and the GPS interface was set to GRMN OpenCPN would get a GPS position. I thought sentences appeared in the debug window but when I checked it a second time there were no sentences.


I don't normally use my Garmin GPS to supply position data to OpenCPN so it's not much of an issue for me, but someone might want to take a closer look to be sure that function is working properly.


I like to use OpenCPN to plan the next day's route, then upload that route to the GPS. While I can enter waypoints directly into the GPS it is a lot more cumbersome than just pointing to them on the chart.


Fabbian