Which GPS to Purchase ?

[galynd]

I recently downloaded openCPN and noaa raster charts. Thank you to the creaters and contributors... it's awesome. I want to purchase a GPS receiver exclusively to be used with the program. I'm using window 7 on my laptop. I use a lowrance 5300 chartplotter and prefer to keep it a stand alone.

Which gps receiver would you buy for this preference? what are my options?

thanks,
greg

[fgd3]

Originally Posted by galynd

I recently downloaded openCPN and noaa raster charts. Thank you to the creaters and contributors... it's awesome. I want to purchase a GPS receiver exclusively to be used with the program. I'm using window 7 on my laptop. I use a lowrance 5300 chartplotter and prefer to keep it a stand alone.

Which gps receiver would you buy for this preference? what are my options?

thanks,
greg

I bought a USGlobalSat BU-353 from Amazon.com for $36.95. It's cheap, it acquires satellites fast, it draws power from the USB port (80mA).

Fabbian

[nohal]

Some devices known to work are listed at GPS Devices | Official OpenCPN Homepage

[sabray]

same bought bu353 seems good so far with open cpn and google. Also have a Garmin 4210 but given the price difference Id go with$35 and the bu353.

[galynd]

thanks all. ordered the bu-353 from amazon.

[prroots]

Does anyone know if the BU-353 (or others) are WAAS enabled? Thanks
Pete

[fgd3]

Originally Posted by prroots

Does anyone know if the BU-353 (or others) are WAAS enabled? Thanks
Pete

Yes. The unit comes with a program called GPSInfo. You can switch WAAS on or off in that program.

Fabbian

[prroots]

Originally Posted by fgd3

Yes. The unit comes with a program called GPSInfo. You can switch WAAS on or off in that program.

Fabbian

Thanks. Now I'm wondering if my Pharos gps-500 (SIRF-III)) that came with MS Streets & Trips is also WAAS enabled? Is there a utility program of some sort that will detect it?
Pete

[svcarina]

Look at... GlobalSat-BU-353-Waterproof-USB-Receiver or a similar "hockey puck" receiver. We bought ours at Amazon for $37 Leslie & Philip

[prroots]

Originally Posted by svcarina

Look at... GlobalSat-BU-353-Waterproof-USB-Receiver or a similar "hockey puck" receiver. We bought ours at Amazon for $37 Leslie & Philip

Thanks for the reply. Ours is a hockey puck type receiver, but just not sure if it's WAAS enabled. By the way, how do you mount the BU-353 eg, inside or ouside?

[fgd3]

Originally Posted by prroots

By the way, how do you mount the BU-353 eg, inside or ouside?

I just lay mine on the table beside the laptop. I have had no problem acquiring satellites below decks (or inside buildings, for that matter).

Fabbian

[prroots]

Originally Posted by fgd3

I just lay mine on the table beside the laptop. I have had no problem acquiring satellites below decks (or inside buildings, for that matter).

Fabbian

That's good to know. My Pharos performs well indoors as well and probably will do fine below deck too. Thanks
Pete

[prroots]

It turns out that I'll probably purchase a Garmin 441s and interface it to OpenCPN. Can anyone recommend a reliable USB-to-RS232 converter that supports Windows 7? Thanks
Pete

[CarCode]

There have been much problems with the Prolific devices posted here. See the Win 7 thread and others.
So I would strongly recommend the Keyspan USA-19HS RS232/USB adapter. A little bit more expensive but worth its money if someone is not willing to spend his time to fiddle around with the cheap chinese adapters.

Gerhard

[djmarchand]

I have given up trying to get the BU-353 to work with Windows 7. I just ordered a TransSystem GM-2 GPS receiver. It is very similar to the BU-353 but uses a new chipset and a different USB/Serial chip and driver.

It is the same price as the BU-353. I'll report when I get it how it works.

David