GPS connected to laptop..?

[big.al]

I've read a couple of postings of people that have connected up basic GPS units to laptop PCs, thereby getting a very cheap (and effective) large colour moving map display on the laptop screen (much cheaper than a colour moving map GPS unit).

I have a Garmin GPSIII (not the GPSIII Pilot) which has the moving map, albeit small and grey only.

If I was to get a secondhand laptop to connect the GPS unit to, please can someone recommend;

1) what spec laptop I'd need, if I only use it for this purpose (no point in spending a grand - I'd rather put that towards more flying!)

2) what software I'd need for the laptop to interpret the GPS signal and operate a moving map display.

Any advice from computer-techies or people who have done this themselves would be appreciated!

Thanks

[msmorley]

big.al:

1) Laptop spec. isn't terribly important as this isn't terribly intensive computationally. A PII 400 would suffice. You'll need a decent battery life or a cigarette lighter adaptor for the computer, though - unless you're on a boat and have an inverter handy...:)

2) Quite a bit of software around. If you're planning to use this for navigating while driving then I recommend Garmin's MapSource (http://www.garmin.com/cartography/mapSource/index.html) product - probably the MetroGuide Europe variant - as this will also be able to download the routes you create into your GPS for when you don't want to drag the laptop around with you. This does the moving map application as well as routing, though you'll need to download the latest update of the web to get the best functionality.
If you want to use scanned maps then have a look at a program from down-under called OziExplorer (http://www.oziexplorer.com/).

An alternative to using a laptop is to use a PDA - I guess it depends on how important screen-size/cost is to you. I use an HP Jornada (http://products.hp-at-home.com/products/detail.php?high_level_category_id=1&category_id=9&sub_category_id=26&prodnum=F2915A) with my Garmin Legend GPS along with TomTom's CityMaps (http://www.palmtop.nl/ce/citymaps.html) software for navigation and OziExplorer CE for using raster maps that I've scanned in.

Hope this helps... ;)


m.

[Julian]

As Ms Morley says, spec isnt really important when picking a laptop, you will prob be more interested in size and quality of the screen. I run mine using a 600Mhz Celeron laptop.

Another piece of software to try is Navbox Pro. Its about £60 (Transair Pilot Shop) and pretty accurate when we used tested it out along a coastal then cross channel route.

Julian.

[Avtrician]

For the Laptop, the fastest processor and as much memory as you can afford, cos the maps will move more smoothly.

Software:- Oziexplorer is an excellent program with many features, I use it just about every day for planning NAVS, debriefing and so on. There is even a 3D addon for about A$40.00 that looks kind of cool.

Check out the link above, you could be impressed. :)

No I dont work for Oziexplorer, but am happy with the product.

[big.al]

Thanks for the advice people!

Al.

[Fujiflyer]

Hi big.al

I have done exactly as you are thinking - I use the Garmin 12XL (fairly cheap GPS) linked to the RS232 serial port of my laptop. I use Jeppesen Flightmap, this gives me moving map as well as being extremely useful for the flight planning. Remember as well it will log your track so you can review flights - very useful when doing IFR practice.

You cannot really beat the level of detail the display provides however you do pay the price in terms of having to set it up somewhere. If I am solo then I use the RH seat otherwise it can go on the floor at the front where I can still see it. I flew to Menorca and back with it in that position with no problems.

Points I feel are worth making are:

1. As msmorley said, battery life is a big issue. Even if you have a decent Li-ion battery you will find you need to supply external power somehow. I use a standalone sealed Pb battery (12V) - this way I have total independence from the a/c power - handy if I lost the electrics in IMC ;) Most lappys which are supplied at over 12V by the charger will run from a 12V source - the internal battery will not recharge though. You can even make up a cable which links power and data between the power source, GPS and computer. If you do use a separate battery make sure you fit a suitable circuit breaker close to it.

2. Given you are going to be space constrained I would suggest a 12" screen. You will probably pick one of these up 2nd hand for a couple of hundred pounds.


I have found that my laptop has become indispensable when I go places - I can access the internet via the mobile phone (expensive abroad though), download the digital camera onto the hard drive and even play games / music :)

Let me know what you decide to do. Will happily advise further if it helps,

Fujiflyer :)

[EGLD]

also, if you're talking about local use to street level, I believe Microsofts superb Autoroute allows data input from a GPS unit and a serial cable

http://www.microsoft.com/autoroute/features/