SPIII into Laptop

[BTBR]

Loaded Mapsource v7 on the laptop, no problems.

Went to plug the SPIII into it to download some routes, but I do not have a socket the same as the SPIII lead.

Enter that dam good chap Whatton, who sends me a lead to convert from the 9pin Garmin lead to a USB plug.

So far so good

BUT I have just gone to upload some routes to the SPIII using the laptop and I got a message:-

No devices were found. Please make sure your device is connected and turned on, and try again. You may also need to set the interface option on your GPS to 'Garmin' or 'host'.

The SPIII was connected and it was switched on?
I have checked the interface option and it is already set to 'Garmin'.

So I have taken the unit upstairs and tried it on the PC, removed the adaptor lead and plugged it into the 9 pin socket and it worked ok?

Thought...........maybe try the adaptor lead and plug it into the USB port on the PC to see if that makes any differance

Any other ideas while I go and try that?

BTBR

 

[John Armstrong]

If you have a USB that's not been used for anything else I'd try that. The SP3 I had was a lot flakier than the 2610 I also had. Top tips,

1 sell the SP3 and buy a 2610. If you can afford it
2 only use a machine that has a serial port on it.

 

[BTBR]

Nope...........there is something not right when trying to do it with the USB adaptor lead.

Having tried it with the PC now, it found that new software had been plugged in, but when I tried to get it to find the driver, I got this message;

Click back if you have installation media such as a CD-ROM or if you know the location if the software

Well I located the Garmin drivers and tried it again, but all to no avail

Removed adaptor lead and plugged lead directly into serial port, Bobs ya uncle, no problems.

Poo holes to it...............................

BTBR

 

[Mick_rw]

I use a...

USB to com port convertor, plug it in with out the SPIII connected, it should still see it, you will hear the beep when it detects the USB device, once you have it plugged in go to the computer manager and it should show in the devices list under com & LPT ports as a USB to Serial Comm Port. If you dont see that then I would say you may have a problem with it or it needs a driver. I assume you are using Win XP. My convertor came with a driver of it's own. You should be able to use the convertor with any serial port device. The driver will not be part of the Garmin software as the convertor is not Garmin specific

 

[HMR]

1 sell the SP3 and buy a 2610. If you can afford it

I don't agree. The SP3 is great. Main differences are that the 2610 is faster and has ceaper memory. Not enough reason to upgrade. If you want a substantial improvment you need to buy a 276C.

2 only use a machine that has a serial port on it.

I agree. The serial port on the SP3 is not very stable. It should work with the USB-to-serial converter but, but, but...

 

[Mick_rw]

I.....

I don't agree. The SP3 is great. Main differences are that the 2610 is faster and has ceaper memory. Not enough reason to upgrade. If you want a substantial improvment you need to buy a 276C.


I agree. The serial port on the SP3 is not very stable. It should work with the USB-to-serial converter but, but, but...

Agree SPIII is great, have used mine with a USB convertor for nearly 2 years on my DeskNote with no problems at all.....

 

[PRR]

Nope...........there is something not right when trying to do it with the USB adaptor lead.

Correct.

Well I located the Garmin drivers and tried it again, but all to no avail

I assume your talking about the Garmin USB-drivers but those are for USB-equipped Garmin units. What you need is the correct driver for that USB-serial-converter. Without those drivers the converter is useless

 

[BTBR]

Yes......I woke up this morning thinking about this.

In the box with the lead was a CD, thats the one that I need is'nt it. that I am!

The downside is that I cannot remember where I put the bloody box with it in. Didnt have time to look for it this morning which has miffed me even more

So first job tonight is to hunt it down.

When I do find the disc, do I just pop it in and load it or is there any set procedure that I should follow?

BTBR

 

[Deleted account W]

Would that be the cd I couldn't find, then did when I cleared my office out. I thought it might be useful to you

 

[John Armstrong]

I don't agree. The SP3 is great. Main differences are that the 2610 is faster and has cheaper memory. Not enough reason to upgrade. If you want a substantial improvment you need to buy a 276C.

The reason is that the 2610 doesn't bother with bronze age technology called "serial ports". As I said I had both, never a problem with the 2610, virtually every other SP3 one through a USB adapter was.

I might still have the USB driver CD if you can't get one Alan.

 

[ebbo]

Just my 2p worth, I don’t think all USB to serial adaptors are compatible with Garmin

 

[BTBR]

Would that be the cd I couldn't find, then did when I cleared my office out. I thought it might be useful to you

The very one..........!

It has only taken me that last 2 hours to find the darn thing........

But like all good stories, there is a happy ending............it works.

Thanks for all your help and a big hug and kiss to Whatton for finding it and sending it to me in case I might find it useful

BTBR

 

[John Armstrong]

Ignore my e-mail then

 

[BTBR]

Ignore my e-mail then

To late, I have already replied.

 

[Howard Millichap]

Just my 2p worth, I don’t think all USB to serial adaptors are compatible with Garmin

Don't see why. All it's doing is slowing down the data stream.

As it is I've used a Belkin USB~serial adaptor for several years now. I would say that the problem that BTBR is having is a driver one. Even with XP I had to load the Belkin supplied driver. XP couldn't find its own. Other than that the whole thing runs fine.