[Gpsbabel-code] gpsbabel on Linux: "/dev/ttyUSB0" (garmin_gps driver) or "usb:"?

[Oliver <oli...@fr...>]

Hi folks!

I use gpsbabel since years on Windows and Linux. With Linux there were
severe problems if its kernel driver "garmin_gps" was used:

  gpsbabel ... -o /dev/ttyUSB0       # did not work reliably 2007-2009

After each reboot one had to unload the driver manually and use "usb:"
as input or output device name instead:

  sudo modprobe -r garmin_gps
  gpsbabel ... -o usb:               # working solution

In 2007 well-known distros like Ubuntu blacklisted garmin_gps, see:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/114565
Since then it is not loaded automatically anymore. But meanwhile the
issues of garmin_gps seem to be fixed. My "Garmin Forerunner 305" works
flawlessly with "/dev/ttyUSB0". And there are many other apps like
gpsman or MyTourbook which only work that way (with garmin_gps loaded)!

Therefore I think it is time to un-blacklist garmin_gps again. But first
I'd like to ask you: does anybody still see problems with garmin_gps? If
you own an affected garmin device please try this with a current distro:

  sudo modprobe garmin_gps
  gpsbabel ... -i/-o /dev/ttyUSB0    # insert your usual usecases here

I'd also welcome helpful hints and links about this topic.
With regards,
+++ Oliver