FliteStar and GPS upload/download

[df1]

Hi all,

A quick question to those operating the Jeppesen FliteStar program. I'm currently using the same for most of my VFR flight planning and then download that route to my Garmin 196.

It seems, though, that there is no provision with this program to facilitate an upload/download via a USB connection - which is most unfortunate as this rules out a connection when using my laptop (I can only use my desktop PC via serial).

Maybe I'm being an idiot here but does anybody else have this problem or is it that the program cannot support a connection to GPS via USB.

P.S. I can connect by GPS - USB - laptop for database unpdates etc so this issue seems confined to FliteStar - USB - GPS only!

Regards
Dan

[IO540]

You can get USB-RS232 converters, which come with drivers that create a virtual COM port within Windows. Then any "properly written" application will work as if the PC had a real RS232 port.

[df1]

IO540,

Thanks for that speedy reply. As you'll gather I'm a bit thick but I have got an adapter for the connecting lead which came with my GPS. The garmin supplied lead as it stands has its GPS plug at one end and a nine pin (female) at t'other!

I then went out and bought this (http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=BF-810) device. Is this what you're referring to??

If so I'm using this connection OK for GPS updates etc with my laptop but FliteStar won't pick up my GPS. Its got to go direct from GPS to serial and my laptop doesn't have such a port.

Thanks
Dan

[IO540]

So you have a USB-RS232 converter which works with one application program but not with another one. Also you managed to make FliteStar work to your GPS on another PC which has a real physical RS232 port.

That doesn't entirely suprise me; the Jepp software is crap. It was written about 10 years ago, in the win95 days, when applications routinely wrote directly to the UART registers (directly to the COM port hardware) and if it does this then it won't work with a converter like this one.

The only solution is to run it on a PC which has a real physical serial port.

For a confirmation, you could contact Jepp and ask them if FliteStar works with any USB-RS232 converter. If they say Yes, and you have the right version, it could just be the converter. A lot of these have compatibility issues. In that case drop me a line and I might be able to suggest something else to try.

[S-Works]

the answer is no! I already asked Jepp this question.

They also promised iminent support for the 296 via USB. I won't be holding my breath though!

[df1]

Thanks for responding.

I've always checked for available patches via Jepp website but obviously none have fixed this issue.

I'll perhaps call them myself to pose these questions and I'll let you both know if I have any joy.

Thanks again.

Dan

[S-Works]

as said above, I already asked the question on a number of occasions, the last time being last week!

We have a number of Jepp products and it is frustrating that they have such a poor level of integaion.

[atb1943]

df1

Pleased to report that the problem that arose from Garmin's changing the internal protocol of its handhelds thus making them incompatible in that respect to FliteStar has been solved with the latest FliteStar update cycle 06. If you request an update now you will receive the July one effective 7 July which will also do the trick. There's also a toll-free number to call in the UK - 0800 085 5377.

Happy planning!

atb

[S-Works]

It still does not support USB though.

[S-Works]

I stand corrected, after installing the update, USB and the 296 is supported but not very well! You can send routes to the unit but not pull them out of it or the track data. It also does not extract the waypoints correctly and just displays a corrupted field.

It does not interface to Flightdeck yet though.

Progress but still work to do I feel.

[atb1943]

bose-x


Work to do done and am advised that the early August update will finish the job.

brgds
atb