Can't read data from Garmin Etrex Summit

[TelluBill]

I've been exploring the TopoFusion demo and I'm very interested in the product.  I would buy right now if I could get my Garmin Etrex Summit talk'n to the program.  Does the demo version have the GPS data import feature disabled?  I've tried various Comm port cofigurations to no avail.  I seem to recall there is a method using Hyperterminal to test the comm port connection to the GPS but I have not been able to dredge it up.  

Any assistance with the data connection between my Garmin and TopoFusion would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[TelluBill]

I have a bunch of tracks on my Etrex Summit that I would like to save to my computer before upgrading to a GPS that will talk over a USB.  

Have to say my experience with the E-Summit has been an exercise in frustration.  I had it working over a serial port on my desktop.  Unfortunately, it was my intent to use it primarily with my laptop that does not have a serial port.  I purchased a USB to Serial cable but the driver that came with the cable spoofs Comm 6 and Comm 8 serial ports.  None of the software I am using will talk to those Comm ports so I'm s-o-l.

Meanwhile, I upgraded my desktop machine to XP.  That disabled the serial ports on that machine due to unsupported hardware.  So I'm now trying to save my accumulation of tracks to my son's gaming computer as it's the only remaining computer in the house with a working serial port.  No luck getting Topofusion talking with the Etrex on Comm 1, 2 or 3.  I know there's a way to get this *!/-*%*##% thing connected but it has so far eluded me.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[Krein]

Hi,

First, TopoFusion can use com ports greater than Com 4.  I know of several users who use a USB->Serial spoofer as you are trying to do.  Unfortunately, it does seem to be hit and miss sometimes, due to flakeness in the USB->Serial conversion.  

None of the GPS functionality is limited in the demo.  The only limitations are the Demo tiles and the limit of 3 files open.  So it should work just fine.

I don't know a way to test if the GPS is there or not using HyperTerminal, except that it shouldn't give you a port error if you talk to it.  If you send something to it and you get a write or read error then you know it's not correctly hooked up.  Could be anything from a broken cable to software (windows) issues.

I'd give the USB-Serial thing another try using TopoFusion.

Let us know how it goes.