awdark

I was searching ebay and found a few serial gps units for very reasonable prices. I was curious if its any easier to link up a X50v to a serial device than before... or if we have enough knowlege to easily do that now

The reason I ask is I recall there used to be lots of difficulty getting it to read the serial, sync to serial, prevent activestink from kicking in, powering the null modem serial adapter, and occasionaly RS232 chips would pop up...

comments before I go bid crazy?
(I am cheap I know a BT gps would be more fun, but this should statisfy me enough to not need a BT ok? heck I will probably solder together my own cable lol)

JakeRich

I use a serial GPS every day. Works perfectly with my X50v. I've used both integrated serial GPS units that are part of a cradle and wired (mouse) serial units with connectors for the X50v bottom port. Both work just fine. For the mouse units they came with a connector cable that converts from the generic PS/2 connector (typically) to the bottom port of the Axim. That cable also has a power connector for the power outlet in the car to provide power to the receiver and the Axim. I reviewed one such item here recently, a Globalsat 355. Look for the link on the main page of Aximsite.

DoDoubleGeo

Same here. I use a stand-alone GPS connected to my Axim with a serial cable everyday, either for work or play. The only problems I have ever had were self caused in that I didn't follow the proper start-up sequence which typically involves firing-up the GPS, starting the GPS application on the device and then making the cable connection. The only thing I would recommend is to make sure that a cable already exists that will connect the GPS to the Axim. Some of the cables will include a power adapter to provide power to both devices.