Off Road Notebook Computer

[cruiserlarry]

Does any one know if the Toughbook internal GPS system will work with NG Topo ? I can't get any external stand-alone receivers to work, and I'd rather not have to buy another Garmin portable just to use for it's receiver. And there are really good deals available to retrofit the Toughbook with the factory (Sony-made) internal GPS system - but I only want to do it if it works with the software....

[DaveK]

Does any one know if the Toughbook internal GPS system will work with NG Topo ? I can't get any external stand-alone receivers to work, and I'd rather not have to buy another Garmin portable just to use for it's receiver. And there are really good deals available to retrofit the Toughbook with the factory (Sony-made) internal GPS system - but I only want to do it if it works with the software....

Larry:

Couple of thoughts: 1) have you checked with NG to see if Topo! supports your Lowrance receiver? 2) I thought that you were also running another GPS (a Garmin?). 3) a possible drawback to an internal GPS is antenna sensitivity. Since the PC will be in the vehicle, shielded from the satellite signal by the vehicle metal, you may have issues with locking onto a signal. If you can, you may have to run an external antenna. The cost of a good Garmin is probably far less than an internal receiver. If you are running another GPS, including most Garmin, Magellan and Lowrance models, NG Topo! will work.

If you need some help, let me know.

[cruiserlarry]

Couple of thoughts: 1) have you checked with NG to see if Topo! is supports your Lowrance receiver? 2) I thought that you were also running another GPS (a Garmin?). 3) a possible drawback to an internal GPS is antenna sensitivity. Since the PC will be in the vehicle, shielded from the satellite signal by the vehicle metal, you may have issues with locking onto a signal. If you can, you may have to run an external antenna. The cost of a good Garmin probably be far less than an internal receiver. If you are running another GPS, including most Garmin, Magellan and Lowrance models, NG Topo! will work.

If you need some help, let me know.

I have a Garmin 2730 with no gps output, and the Lowrance GlobalMap Baja 540c with NMEA output through a hard wire network (incompatible connectors with a pc). I have an independent GPS receiver that I've mounted to the back of the pc, and it receives great inside the vehicle (but is not compatible with NG Topo). I've heard the Sony high-sensitivity unit Panasonic installs into the Toughbooks is even better, so position won't be the problem. I guess I'll need to find out from NG if the Topo program can recognize the internal GPS unit, or maybe tell me how to connect the Lowrance to the pc....

[hmfigueroa]

Larry,

Are you sure you don't need just a usb serial port adapter, they are about 15 bucks that will allow you to connect it to your PC. You might need to buy a 9-pin db-9 connector to wire to you power/data cable for your GPS.

[cruiserlarry]

Larry,

are you sure you don't need just a usb serial port adapter, they are about 15 bucks that will allow you to connect it to your PC.

The Lowrance doesn't use serial or USB connections - it's a military cable node network system. The Garmin 2730 doesn't have a GPS output at all.

So, I need to get a network to serial adapter for the lowrance, but it uses proprietary connectors...

[hmfigueroa]

I just looked at the manual for the Lowrance Baja 540c.

ScreenShot001.jpg (28.63 KiB) Viewed 6797 times

You can get the gps data stream from the blue yellow orange and shield of your power data cable. You will need to put a connector on the wire end.

[DaveK]

Larry:

making your own connector is simple. I had to make one for the Garmin 276C for a serial connector and the entire schematic for wire connection was already in the manual (that's the large novel like thing that came with the GPS). It's a lot cheaper than a new receiver.

[cruiserlarry]

I just found some info regarding the NMEA 2000 network, and the NMEA 0183 wiring required to hook up to a 9-pin serial port on the PC. I'll have to pick up a 9-pin connector, do some soldering, and see if I can get the NG Topo program to recognize the Lowrance GlobalMap Baja 540c...

[hmfigueroa]

You will want to use the NMEA 0183 to interface with your computer and software. Earlier I suggested the usb adapter, I dont know if your computer has legacy type serial ports, if it does not you will need a usb serial port adapter.

I hope that makes it more clear.

[cruiserlarry]

You will want to use the NMEA 0183 to interface with your computer and software. Earlier I suggested the usb adapter, I dont know if your computer has legacy type serial ports, if it does not you will need a usb serial port adapter.

I hope that makes it more clear.

Yeah, I know I had to use the NMEA 0183 interface, but how to translate it to the 9-pin serial port was the issue, along with which type of NMEA 0183 configuration would be readable by both the NG Topo and the MS Streets and Trips software programs....

I'm happy to say I got it done !!!

I took the cord off an old serial trackball laying in the "maybe someday I'll use this for something" bin, spliced into the comm-out wires from the Lowrance GlobalMap Baja 540C, did a few continuity checks, read up on configuring a marine autopilot for pin assignment suggestions, and, after playing with each program's GPS configuration files - viola !!! - I can now use the roof-mounted Lowrance GPS receiver to download info to both programs... (yea !!!)

Now I have to check through the thread for that program DaveK was discussing that allowed you to run both programs simultaneously with a single serial port GPS receiver hooked up...

So, DaveK, get ready for config questions....