| | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,501 Member/5000+posts! | | Member/5000+posts! Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,501 | I didn't bother checking before, but... you can get a brand new data/power cable from GPSCITY for $17 [ gpscity.com]. A 9-pin connector and whatever you want for the power cable, a few minutes soldering, and you're done. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,054 Likes: 99 Member/5000+posts! | | Member/5000+posts! Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,054 Likes: 99 | I didn't bother checking before, but... you can get a brand new data/power cable from GPSCITY for $17 [ gpscity.com]. A 9-pin connector and whatever you want for the power cable, a few minutes soldering, and you're done. Just make sure your computer has a 9-pin serial port. I have two fairly new computers, and --- NEITHER OF THEM HAVE ONE! There is a 9-pin-serial-to-USB adapter available, but the success rate of those is spotty at best. Whenever I update my Garmin GPS195 database (every year or so), I need to use someone else's computer that has a 9-pin serial port. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,501 Member/5000+posts! | | Member/5000+posts! Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,501 | I've had the same problem. For my setup in the airplane I have two USB/serial adapters for two GPS inputs. I've used the adapters Garmin sells for years because they're cheap (um...cheap if you don't buy Garmin's branded-version of them) - the look like this [ pccables.com]. Unfortunately they don't work with any 64-bit operating systems so I had to switch. Turns out there are two other manufacturers that are tons better. One is made by Prolific. They usually look like a cable with blue or purple transparent connectors on the ends (available here [ pccables.com]). The other brand is made by FTDI. They're the best but I haven't found a source of pre-made FTDI cables (I put my own connectors on them). I've tried a couple over the years from Best Buy and Office Depot but they've never been very good quality. Maybe that's changed... but for now I order the Prolific ones when I can. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,976 Member/1500+posts | | Member/1500+posts Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,976 | Scott, I received the cable yesterday.
Many thanks.
Philip Mitchell
Attorney, CFI, A&P
N150BP C150L
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,054 Likes: 99 Member/5000+posts! | | Member/5000+posts! Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,054 Likes: 99 | I've had the same problem. For my setup in the airplane I have two USB/serial adapters for two GPS inputs. I've used the adapters Garmin sells for years because they're cheap (um...cheap if you don't buy Garmin's branded-version of them) - the look like this [ pccables.com]. Unfortunately they don't work with any 64-bit operating systems so I had to switch. Turns out there are two other manufacturers that are tons better. One is made by Prolific. They usually look like a cable with blue or purple transparent connectors on the ends (available here [ pccables.com]). The other brand is made by FTDI. They're the best but I haven't found a source of pre-made FTDI cables (I put my own connectors on them). I've tried a couple over the years from Best Buy and Office Depot but they've never been very good quality. Maybe that's changed... but for now I order the Prolific ones when I can. Scott, thanks for the information. I also saw your reply on the other thread. No, I do not have a Garmin specific adapter. I have a generic adapter, so that probably won't work, but I am interested in purchasing a (cheap) adapter that works. Question: How do I tell if I have a 64-bit operating system? I have Windows XP on two computers. Check Control Panel > System? I don't see anything that tells me if it's 32-bit or 64-bit. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,501 Member/5000+posts! | | Member/5000+posts! Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,501 | If you have XP it's probably 32 bit. There were 64-bit varieties but all things considered it was pretty rare. 64-bit is getting more popular with Windows-7 so it's becoming more of a relevant issue.
Anyway, here's how you can check:
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
3. Click the General tab. The operating system is displayed as follows:
* For a 64-bit version operating system: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Version < Year> appears under System.
* For a 32-bit version operating system: Windows XP Professional Version appears under System.
Note is a placeholder for a year.
...
FYI - there may be other factors at work too where the reliability of your connection is concerned. A standard serial-port is supposed to go up to 15vdc but 12vdc was the typical standard everyone seemed to settle on. Laptop (and some other machines) serial ports dropped that down to as low as 5vdc and some USB adapters can drop the voltage down to the 3vdc range. If the connections to the 195 aren't perfect it may not respond reliably with the lower voltages (not that it can't, it's just that the poor connections might not play well with the lower voltages) - at least that's what I think.
We ran the 195s in several airplanes for years doing aerial survey work. I had the GPSs wired to laptops to get GPS data and to upload routes/waypoints on a daily basis. Occasionally the 195s just wouldn't cooperate and we'd have to pull them off the mount and clean the contacts on both the GPS and the snap-on connector.
You can use CRC contact cleaner (as long as it states "plastic safe" on it) or burnish the contacts with a clean eraser then put a thin coat of CRC 2-26 on them to keep the contacts from oxidizing. It may help with the lower-voltages the USB adapters seem to be using. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,054 Likes: 99 Member/5000+posts! | | Member/5000+posts! Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,054 Likes: 99 | | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,054 Likes: 99 Member/5000+posts! | | Member/5000+posts! Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,054 Likes: 99 | I've used the adapters Garmin sells for years because they're cheap (um...cheap if you don't buy Garmin's branded-version of them) - the look like this [ pccables.com]. I just bought that cable for $19. It comes with the driver. If it works, it will be well worth it, as I am currently forced to download database updates (once a year or so) using a borrowed PC with 9-pin serial. I'm probably going to hear "why don't you just go out and buy a new Garmin 496, you cheap SOB." Well, the GPSMAP 195 works well for me, and database updates are still available, and a $19 cable is a lot cheaper than a $500 GPS receiver. That's why. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,501 Member/5000+posts! | | Member/5000+posts! Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,501 | ...and besides, a new 496 is more like $2000, not $500  A cheaper alternative is a used 196. Even it is a huge step from the 195 and they're not that expensive... if you had to get one that is. Nothing wrong with the 195 though  | | |
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