My Garmin foretrex101 has a RS232 cable, not USB and my laptop only has USB ports. I've installed the USB to RS232 converter, but my GPS Action Replay software only picks up the device attached (converter), not the GPS (error message say "No Garmin device found on COM5)
Anyone experienced this? OR have any suggestions (other than buy a different GPS or the $79 GARMIN cable )?

Is it possible to download the data from the garmin to the computer directly, then open the file with gpsar?
Most of us are using the GT31 or GT11 these days, so garmin expertise is a bit thin on the ground.

Select to expand quote

decrepit said..

Is it possible to download the data from the garmin to the computer directly, then open the file with gpsar?
Most of us are using the GT31 or GT11 these days, so garmin expertise is a bit thin on the ground.

yeah, well its over 8 years old that model, well before GT11 was thought of. If you want to update try a Garmin Foretrex 301 or a 401 they dont make GT11 or GT31 anymore.

I can supply you with a new GT31 if you like...

I'm sure there must be a stock of GT-31s somewhere...

A serial-to-usb should work ok... used this lots of times.

The wayback machine might help, ie: make sure the set the GPS to make it ready to download.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Downloading-tracks-from-Foretrex-201-to-PC/

Make sure you have installed the driver for the Serial to USB adapter on your computer.

Select to expand quote

zeeber said..

My Garmin foretrex101 has a RS232 cable, not USB and my laptop only has USB ports. I've installed the USB to RS232 converter, but my GPS Action Replay software only picks up the device attached (converter), not the GPS (error message say "No Garmin device found on COM5)
Anyone experienced this? OR have any suggestions (other than buy a different GPS or the $79 GARMIN cable )?

As Mathew says, check the garmin is set to the right mode.

The serial cable for these is very simple and should just plug into a PC, or in your case a USB to RS232 converter.

The default is probably NMEA, which sends data out at 4800 bps. There is a menu in the garmin to change this to what you need.

All valid points thanks, but the problem is not with the GPS - I've downloaded my tracks many times to GPSAR, but with the fact that GPSAR picks up the converter rather than what's on the end of the cable - the GPS. I think I should just get a different RS232 to USB converter... Pity I'm poor, otherwise I could just get a new GPS :)

Select to expand quote

zeeber said..

All valid points thanks, but the problem is not with the GPS - I've downloaded my tracks many times to GPSAR, but with the fact that GPSAR picks up the converter rather than what's on the end of the cable - the GPS. I think I should just get a different RS232 to USB converter... Pity I'm poor, otherwise I could just get a new GPS :)

Even if GPSAR picks up the converter, its really just looking for a COM port. It just happens that the converters name is also showing up. Is it also showing the com port number it finds? Com 5 from your description.

Once it finds the com port, or you have configured which com port to use, it should then send messages to the GPS across that com port to try and find the GPS. If the com port is correct, then it sounds like the baud rate or something else is not quite right.

USB Com ports are pretty generic these days, so one should be the same as any other. If you know how to use hyperterm, you can actually see if the GPS responds or sends out data.

Thanks, have bought the name brand converter cable (USB to RS232) with a driver disk, instruction manual and LOCAL support line, so hope to report success tomorrow. Will nut it out tonight, using hyperterminal, etc. Thanks to everyone for the advice, have a few ideas now that I haven't tried before - I have checked the COM port selection in GPSAR, but haven't tested the comms, have checked the port drivers in Device Manager, as well as the port assignment, have checked the cable is actually fully inserted into the GPS (common fault). Garmin eTrex10 (waterproof) now available at Harvey Norman for $88, basically the same unit in a different packaging (and with a USB cable), so might just splash out and buy it if nothing else works, and eat dry bread and black coffee for the next few weeks!

Select to expand quote

zeeber said..

Thanks, have bought the name brand converter cable (USB to RS232) with a driver disk, instruction manual and LOCAL support line, so hope to report success tomorrow. Will nut it out tonight, using hyperterminal, etc. Thanks to everyone for the advice, have a few ideas now that I haven't tried before - I have checked the COM port selection in GPSAR, but haven't tested the comms, have checked the port drivers in Device Manager, as well as the port assignment, have checked the cable is actually fully inserted into the GPS (common fault). Garmin eTrex10 (waterproof) now available at Harvey Norman for $88, basically the same unit in a different packaging (and with a USB cable), so might just splash out and buy it if nothing else works, and eat dry bread and black coffee for the next few weeks!

You better save this $88 wait and buy proper GT31 just for a little bit more.
I doubt that frequency and accuracy will near good enough to log your tracks on the water.
So far my test shown that for example Mobile phone is useless for calculating Alpha.
I did comparison test today and GT31 show 18 ktn and Mobile logger 3 ktn

Success! I bought the Targus cable from Harvey Norman and it worked just fine - thanks to all for the help and advice!