MnGCA

dmnrec · Geocacher Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 478 Location: Duluth

I have a question about cables....I got a new laptop after my computer blew up. Now, I can't hook up my gps to it to download coords (both have the female 15 pin). I have a etrex legend. I went on the website, but I don't see how the only cable they show would work either for this model. Is there some sort of an adapter I can get?
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Jonas · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 3:36 pm Post subject:

It sounds like you are looking for a serial to USB adapter. The Etrex used a serial port which new laptops does not come with. I know that Microcenter in St Louis Park stocks those type of cables, otherwise Amazon should have those as well, just seach for "serial to usb adapter", they should run between 5 to 15 dollars.

-Jonas

Arcticabn · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 3:42 pm Post subject:

Going to need just a little bit more information.

The new legends are USB cabled. So are you talking about an old legend?

It sounds like your trying to connect to your legend by serial cable. If so one end of your GPSr cable would have a connector for the etrex with a 4 pin connector. The other end would be a standard communications port serial connector. I suspect that this is the case.

So I also suspect from your description that your new computer does not have a serial port but only USB ports.

Therefore what you need is a serial to USB converter. I prefer the Belkin USB to Serial Portable Adapter.

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=459431

There are other sites out there as well that have similar cables that are cheaper.

Do a google on USB to Serial Cable

http://www.usbgear.com/USB-Serial.html

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=447

This is how I used to connect my old 76C and GPS V to my PC.
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Jonas · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 3:45 pm Post subject:

Wait, 15pin? The cable I had for my legend was a DB9, ie 9 pin serial cable. If yours is 15 pin then you'll need a DB15 to USB adapter, I was not aware that Garmin used those type of connectors.

-Jonas

dmnrec · Geocacher Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 478 Location: Duluth

Arcticabn · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:42 pm Post subject:

See my post. All of the links provided will take you to a USB to DB9 connector. They all you have to do is hook it up to your USB port.
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Airborne All the Way!

dmnrec · Geocacher Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 478 Location: Duluth

Arcticabn · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:58 pm Post subject:

Since I don't have an etrex I can not guarantee. However, it is the one that I used with my GPSr.
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Airborne All the Way!

fireman121 · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:19 am Post subject:

I was trying to the same thing with my Garminn GPS 72 as my back up unit and did have very good luck. The adapter cable did not work with my Vista loaded computer. But others had no problem using them on Vista go figure. Good Luck.
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Pear Head · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 1:46 pm Post subject:

The 15 pin port on your laptop is likely for an external monitor.
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Hmm...

dmnrec · Geocacher Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 478 Location: Duluth

andrewmcc · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 979

The Garmin gps that the State Parks have the same connection so I got the serial to usb connector and had a problem. GSAK would not down load. Any one have problems with that? It worked when it was just a serial port.
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Pear Head · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject:

andrewmcc · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 979

speedysk1 · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:54 pm Post subject: