Re: [Gpsbabel-misc] Compatible BT or USB GPS devices?

[Thom D. <pix...@co...>]

On Nov 14, 2010, at 9:52 PM, Robert Lipe wrote:

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> On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 2:07 PM, Thom DeCarlo <pix...@co...> wrote:
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> On Nov 14, 2010, at 1:37 AM, Robert Lipe wrote:
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>> 
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>> On Sat, Nov 13, 2010 at 7:46 PM, Thom DeCarlo <pix...@co...> wrote:
>> I've been trying to find a GPS device that can connect to my laptop via bluetooth or USB, which is compatible with the Gpsbabel software. I have a Delorme BT-20, and I can also get a Garmin GPS 20x. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like any of those are supported by this software. In fact, none of the hardware in the compatibility list is still being sold by either Delorme or Garmin.
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>> Oddly, this is a case where bigger names reduces the chance of seamless compatibility.
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>> Smaller companies just take the chipset reference designs and design a plastic case and a cardboard box.  They show up as plain ole serial profile and send plain ole NMEA sentences which GPSBabel or most any other software can handle.
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>> Bigger companies that actually have real engineering departments like to "add value" by implementing their own screwy and proprietary protocols. 
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>> So there's this weird curve that  effectively says the more you pay for a BT GPS, the less likely it is to work with any software that doesn't come from that vendor.
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>> I know the Garmin GPS10 works - its proprietary mode is off by default.  I also have a Wintec WBT 201 in the lab and it works fine.   I also have a bucket of other puck/BT style loggers, most available at Semsons, that Just Work.
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>> In short, anything that spits out industry standard NMEA will work.
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>> RJL
> '
> Robert,
> Thanks for the info. I have a simple requirement for a device that will just send its current location to the attached computer. (Mac OSX is my preferred platform.) The Semsons website has a Wintec WBT-300 and a Wintec WBT-201, and the description of each says its output message is: NMEA 0183 (GPRMC, GPGGA, GPGSA, GPGSV). Is that the right level for Gpsbabel?
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> "I also have a Wintec WBT 201 in the lab and it works fine. "  

Oops, sorry! Mea culpa.

>  
> The WBT-201 page has a link for "GPSBabel with WBT-201 beta patch for Mac OS provided by Andy Armstrong" but the document there is more than 3 years old. It says that the commands for the 201 were not in Gpsbabel at that time. Does the software support the 201 or the 300 at this time?
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> I can't update the web sites of others.   We added 201 support years ago...but even before that, the bluetooth realtime positioning would have Just Worked.
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> I don't have a 300, but I'd expect it - just like I'd expect about any of the GPSes on that page - to just work with RT positioning.
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> RJL

Ok, thanks again for the information!

Thom