USB GPS Recommendations?

[J805]

Can anyone recommend a good USB GPS to use with Open CPN on Windows 10?


I currently have an old Garmin GPS 18 USB but have to use a program to convert from Garmin to NMEA format. It also doesn't work that great so Im hoping to replace it with something else.

Thanks

[captainstubbie]

USGlobalSat, Inc.

4.5 out of 5 stars**478Reviews

GlobalSat BU-353-S4 USB GPS Receiver (Black)

I use this on my laptop with Open CPN with no problems

Amazon for under $30

[CarCode]

Most laptops have buildin Bluetooth today. So I recommend to use a GPS with Bluetooth. Never any driver problems anymore as usual with Windows, no cables to attach (beside a power source for the puck) and usable for any operating system.
Actually I use myself a XGPS160 with GPS, Glonass and Waas, accuracy 2.5 cm, cold start less than 30 secs, battery time 10 hours. There are many other bluetooth pucks available.

Gerhard

[captainstubbie]

The problem I see with the Bluetooth is the fact that you have to charge it, They doesn't do any good when their battery is dead

[captainstubbie]

What you make a very good point with the driver issues and windows lol

[J805]

Originally Posted by captainstubbie

USGlobalSat, Inc.

4.5 out of 5 stars**478Reviews

GlobalSat BU-353-S4 USB GPS Receiver (Black)

I use this on my laptop with Open CPN with no problems

Amazon for under $30

Thanks. I went ahead and ordered one of these.

[yachtvalhalla]

Originally Posted by J805

Thanks. I went ahead and ordered one of these.

Good to hear. And you may be interested in this guide to making the computer USB ports a common COM port number. Download here.

Also, instead of using the driver from the mini-CD that comes with the GPS i suggest you download the latest driver from Globalsat.

Terry

[J805]

Originally Posted by yachtvalhalla

Good to hear. And you may be interested in this guide to making the computer USB ports a common COM port number. Download here.

Also, instead of using the driver from the mini-CD that comes with the GPS i suggest you download the latest driver from Globalsat.

Terry

Will do, thank you for the extra tips.

[sea-bee]

Any suggestions for reducing corrosion in the USB connectors?

[petter5]

I assume you are using a laptop that have wi-fi ? If so a very elegant solution is to buy a raspberry Pi3, connect the GPS to thr raspberry an install openplotter on the raspberry - you can mount the raspberry any convenient protected place in your boat. The openplotter/raspberry will make a wi-fi acesspoint. If you now connects your pc /MAc / android tablet or telephone to this wi-fi network, you can get the gps NMEA 0183 data over wi-fi from this access point. this way you can connect as many as you want wi-fi capable devices and share thr same NMEA 0183 data without connecting any usb or cable. Price ? $ 35 yo 40.
/Petter

Originally Posted by sea-bee

Any suggestions for reducing corrosion in the USB connectors?

[sea-bee]

Originally Posted by petter5

... connect the GPS to thr raspberry an install openplotter on the raspberry - you can mount the raspberry any convenient protected place in your boat...

My GPS puck doesn't see satellites when in a protected place. Needs to be in the weather to see the sky.

Chris

[Pizzazz]

Check the one below as well. Very cheap, serial out, easily configurable (you can choose which constellation to use, sea mode, accuracy augmentation, up to 20 Hz updates, edit nmea sentences, etc.). Fairly recent chipset. I put mine in the bilge, upside down and it still locks to a signal.

G28U7FTTL Replace VK16E GMOUSE GPS Module U-BLOX UBX-G7020-KT Chip Ceramic Antenna TTL Level for Vehicle monitoring Navigation DIYmall https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015R62YHI?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

[petter5]

Usa a USB extension cable and secure the connection with Self-amalgamating tape https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-amalgamating_tape
then you can place your puck wherever you want.

Originally Posted by sea-bee

My GPS puck doesn't see satellites when in a protected place. Needs to be in the weather to see the sky.

Chris

[CarCode]

Originally Posted by sea-bee

Any suggestions for reducing corrosion in the USB connectors?

Use a Bluetooth puck and all the problems with USB, drivers etc. disappear. The puck I use, see:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2572950
can connect to 5 different devices for receiving GPS data at the same time.

Gerhard

[Cpt Balu]

How many Channels are important when cursing south pacific?

The GlobalSat BU-353-S4 USB GPS Receiver (Black): Only has 48-Channel!

I also need one to support SAS Global on my PC as its nice to have google earth next to navionics for example, anyhow just as backup to my Bluewater equipped plotters.

Thanks