Are the "laptop" GPS units  compatible?

[ikanode]

Should all the Laptop GPS units that support USB and NMEA be compatible with TopFusion?  Are any known to be (or not be) compatible?

e.g.,
- Earthmate GPS LT-20

- Deluo USB GPS Lite
Uses the Sony chipset for $65

"Tracking up to 12 satellites, the Deluo USB GPS for Laptop Lite can be used with almost every major mapping software that supports the NMEA 0183 v2.2 data protocol. Use it in your car, boat or RV; the Deluo USB GPS for Laptop Lite can be used anywhere in world with no monthly service fees. The GPS unit comes with an internal magnet and Velcro® dots for versatile mounting options."
Deluo Product page

[Krein]

Hi,

You should be able to use any of those units in 'live tracking' mode.  However, you won't be able to download tracks or waypoints (if those units even support them?).

Thanks.

[avonnied]

maybe someone can help, i found a USB laptop GPS unit for fairly cheap (45$).. so i bought it to try and am thought i'd try topofusion as it looks like one of the better ones out there.


ok so i plug in my USB-GPS and install the drivers..

it installs the drivers fine and all that (as far as i can tell)..

it also installed the USB Serial device, on Com5

so i go into Topofusion and i select Magellan (i hope that is the one i am suppose to select)..

when i goto the GPS tab, Live Tracking, i select NMEA/Magellan and click Start Tracking..

immediately an error pops up saying, Com 5 in use..

is this normal?

this is me just sitting here at the desk with it plugged in, do i need to go outside and get the GPS to receive satellites?

any help would be appreciated, if i can't get this to work, i am only out 45$ so its not exactly the end of the world but oh how i want to get this to work..

[Neilson]

This is a reply to an older post but it may help someone with a similar problem.
Most USB receivers with the Sirf II chips have a baud rate of 38400 default.  With SiRFDemo, can be downloaded, change the receiver to 9600 NMEA.  Do not know if SiRFDemo will work with the Sony chips, try it or check with Sony.
Maybe someday TopoFusion will accept the 38400 baud rate, or could loop thru the different baud rates to see what the receiver is sending at like u-blox does.
If the baud rate is wrong TF gives an error message the port is in use when it is not.
USB receiver with a Laptop or Notebook computer is a good combination, with TF even better.

[Neilson]

I was wrong again, the baud rate for many are 4800.
Holux SirfStar III, some are 38400 default.
Had mine all set for 38400, just trial and error changing till it matches any particular program, TurboFusion seems to be very good, after trying many this is the one I bought.

[Neilson]

Here is a link to a site where the issue of baud rate and being able to connect to programs are covered.
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumse....page=24