Software to test nmea output

NikTheGeek · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 01, 2005 Posts: 12

Hi, is there any freeware I can get for PC and PocketPC that will test the output/connection of a GPS system? My iNFORAD has a nmea ouput, but before I spend any money on software, I want to make sure it works. Particularly on my Acer N30 PocketPC - I have the connection to the iNFORAD working ok, but in the case of the PocketPC it says it's an unknown device.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any ideas or advice...

Nik

Talkingbollox · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 10:18 pm Post subject:

Winfast Navigator works. http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=8

NikTheGeek · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 01, 2005 Posts: 12

Thanks for that, I've downloaded it but the pocket pc's sync cable is at work so I'll have to wait until tomorrow to try it! Sad

Cheers,
Nick

NikTheGeek · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 01, 2005 Posts: 12

It didn't work Sad

The Acer N30 still prompts for a driver when I connect the iNFORAD and Winfast navigator doesn't see it - I selected COM7 (USB) as the Acer has an active USB port and the iNFORAD is USB.

Any ideas???

tnx, Nick

caravanj · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:57 pm Post subject:

Hi Nick,

I thought the Inforad had a serial port connection that created a virtual USB port via the Inforad lead. If you try to connect the Inforad unit to any PC with a normal USB lead it doesn't recognise the device either. I have connected my Inforad via the Inforad lead to my Compaq laptop running Microsoft AutoRoute 2002 and whilst AutoRoute 2002 does not act as a navigation program the Inforad output did tell AutoRoute where I was so the output does work.

caravanj · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:08 pm Post subject:

I've just checked the Windows XP hardware manager and the Inforad appears in the ports list as: Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port ( Com4 ) on my machine. It does not appear in the USB port list. Hope this helps.

NikTheGeek · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 01, 2005 Posts: 12

I was using the iNFORAD's own usb lead as my Acer pocket pc has a standard (active) usb port on it - one of the very few hand helds that do.

Unless of course I should have selected something other than USB from the software if the lead isn't really a usb lead...

I've never had a gps anything before so I'm working in the dark really Sad

Nick

caravanj · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:27 pm Post subject:

Yes, the Inforad communicates with the PC via a serial port and the lead is basically a serial lead modified to fit into a USB socket because some new PC's do not have serial sockets. I have never had a PDA but your Acer manual should say if your's has got a serial port.

caravanj · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:30 pm Post subject:

As I understand it, the Inforad lead istalls itself as a virtual serial port but I'm not sure if you need an existing actual serial port on the PC for the installation to work.

BruceH · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 05, 2005 Posts: 4

Have a look at my old post on how I connected an Inforad to a Ipaq pocket pc to run with TomTom, might help explain. http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=20638&highlight=inforad
Basically the output from Inforad is serial data and the lead converts it to USB ( there is a chip buried in the inforad lead which is why you cannot connect an Inforad to a PC using a standard usb cable)
The data is standard NMEA but appears to be inverted. I do not know of any software fix, I built a small hardware converter.
Cheers

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