After much headache I have finally successful made my eTrex Vista work with my Axim. I followed advice posted on this site with little luck, but it did give me a great start. Heavy research of groups relating to the eTrex interface and the Axim interface drew me to a conclusion. The conclusion is that the eTrex did not like the data being transmitted to it from the Axim and would essentially stall or distort it's output. Even with the Axim being tricked with a Null adapter, the Axim's GPS software couldn't interpret the garbage being sent to it from the eTrex. I determined that I must stop the data flowing from the Axim to the eTrex.
This method allows me to start my GPS and Axim consistently every time without performing any funny tricks. In fact, I can start the Axim with the serial cable plugged in. (still must disable ActiveSync though) I have used this with Mapopolis, GPSEngine, and MiniStumbler. The problem with the eTrex series units is the NMEA interface is picky.
Parts Used;
Axim
eTrex Vista
+Dell Serial Cable (Part# 310-3474 must be ordered by phone)
+eTrex Serial Cable (came with unit)
+Male to Male Gender Changer (Radio Shack Part#26-231)
+DB9 Null Modem Adapter (Radio Shack Part# 26-264B)
Attaching Cables;
eTrex--->eTrexCable--->GenderChanger--->NullAdapter--->AximCable--->Axim
+The eTrex "data in" must be blocked. If you don't want to destroy the cable, here is a simple solution. I placed a tiny cut of masking tape over the "Power(+)" and the "Data In" terminal on the back of the eTrex. When I slide the eTrex cable on the eTrex, these contacts now don't contact anymore (this also allows for reverting easily so you can update your firmware etc...). If you need pin outs for the eTrex, visit www.garmin.com and download the PDF manual.
+Attach the gender changer on the other end of the eTrex cable.
+Attach the null adapter to the gender changer (The Male side MUST be facing the Axim)
+Attach the Axim cable to the open male end of the null adapter.
+Attach the remaining end of the Axim cable to the Axim. (make sure you disable ActiveSync first).
This setup has guaranteed a solid working GPS connection between my eTrex and Axim every time1!!
I'm not the best at communicating my ideas on paper, so if you have questions, reply and I will help. Please feel free to elaborate (or disagree) this post to help others.
I don't understand why I received a negative comment from you when I am just sharing an idea that worked well for me. I was hoping this would help give others a way to solve their eTrex-to-Axim problem. The eTrex is not like other Garmin GPS units in connectivity.
I chose to use masking tape until I receive my other eTrex cable (so I will have two, then I plan to modify (and shorten) the eTrex cable used for the Axim.
Until now, I have not yet seen a post indicating that anyone has made the eTrex work with the Axim. Why do you slam me for trying?
Quote:
Originally posted by csims Gee, thats a simple way of fixing things. Good job.
domotang, I don't think he meant it as a slam. He did say it was simple and good. A "smiley" might have helped with the last comment, to show that it was intended to be funny.
I once did the same thing with the eraser off of a pencil and a one inch piece of wire. I needed a jumper to set a hard drive to the slave position and didn't have one so I stripped off a sliver of wire from a stranded cable, wrapped the two pins I needed connected and shoved the rubber eraser on the pins to hold it in place. Worked like a champ. Creativity is what it is all about!
Good solution on the Etrex! I have recently seen the Magellan shut down unexpectedly. I wonder if it is getting back garbage on the inbound side. I may cut the wire on my homemade connector and see if it stops. I haven't done enough research to really tell if it's that or somehow the off button is being pushed. The unit is just thrown up in the windshield area and I suppose it could have gooen the power button pushed somehow during a turn or running over one of the millions of pot holes we have now.
Mapopolis is fast, but I speak without having tried any other. It configures very easily and the maps seem good.
If any others have experiences with their GPS software, it would be great to hear from them.
(I'm using the Axim)
Quote:
Originally posted by richard olson Thank you for all your troubleshooting. I was wondering how to hook up my Vista. My question, What GPS mapping software are you using on the Axim?
I have Mapopolis and use it all the time. I've tried PocketMapNavigator from Space Machine, XMap from Delorme and have an evaluation copy of Teletype that I am reviewing to post here. I hope to have the review completed this week.
PMN I found to be buggy and slow. It has good display, but very slow refresh and slow routing. The maps are accurate, the interface with the GPS was good.
XMap was workable, but the maps are out of date and not very representative of reality. For example, if you have a long sweeping curve in the road (a beltway, for example) XMap shows that as a series of straight lines between points. Obviously this saves space, but since the roads aren't actually straight, you never get a true picture of the intersections as you approach them. I didn't like it at all.
Teletype, as I said, is still under review. Stay tuned.
Originally posted by domotang It's so easy to take words from people we don't know the wrong way. My apologies for misinterpreting and for causing the topic to stray.
If I meant for it to be sarcastic, I would have done the rolling eyes thing.
Didn't think it was going to be taken the wrong way.
When I was reading over how you did it I was having a tough time visualizing it. Then it finally hit me how simple it was. Covering up the prongs was a simple thing to do. Aside from the simple factor was that it was free, unless you want to break down the fractions of a penny for the masking tape you used. :D
I like the idea myself of covering up pins with any material you could find, for testing. Maybe electrical tape would be my choice ;)
I am going to put your information with my GPS info if you don't mind.
I like Garmin external GPSs more for handheld use such as jogging, hiking, biking etc.
IMHO Garmin is the way to go for external GPS units. With all the rat nest wires I am seriously looking into the CF GPS but ONLY if I can get a good deal, < $100. I would really hate to go to the PPC and CF GPS for a hiking or camping trip. The Garmin unit are so much better as far as toughness out in the field.
I say use it as another person suggested, PPC and GPS for driving and controlled conditions such as that. Then detach and use the GPS itself for any rugged use out in the field. Again, always have a pocket compass and maybe maps for the area you are in.
Just a warning for y'all. He's serious that you have to order by phone. I found item #310-3474 on the web site here... and it's for a Palm Pilot. :)
Dell Serial Cable (Part# 310-3474 must be ordered by phone)
310-3474 - Serial Sync Cable - $19.00
Also, is the Radio Shack part # for the DB9 Null Modem Adapter "26-264B" or "26-264"? My local store said they didn't have the "B" and that didn't sound like a standard part #....
The 'B' in 26-264B is just a revision. The parts perform the same function, just look different. You can use the 26-264.
Quote:
Originally posted by Dougmeister Also, is the Radio Shack part # for the DB9 Null Modem Adapter "26-264B" or "26-264"? My local store said they didn't have the "B" and that didn't sound like a standard part #....
Is anyone else able to find the pricing on this cable?
Priced to build from Radio Shack & Dell is $34.11 (if you get free shipping from Dell & have 6% sales tax from the Shack)
Also see this thread for more info on buying from Japan.
Have you thried ebay for eTrex combo /power/data cables. I have a link here just for etrex and power combo cables.
One thing to keep in mind is I am almost positive that these are set up for something like a laptop, not the Axim. You still need the null modem to make the approriate pin connections/swapping.
They both will work.
Now the first point. You may still have to perform the above trick. I honestly think that making the Radio Shack adapter piece may get you the most for your money. The ebay cable I saw was 17.00 with maybe 4 buck shipping. Add another 4 for the adapter and you have a cable for the axim (with the piece) and maybe even a laptop (combo cable only) if you would use that for traveling also.
Bottom line, they will both will work. Making the adapter will cost less and could be the quickest. Buying would be the most costly and you have a single application for the cable. Thinking of this also, I am not sure if you have a regular serial adapter for the etrex but I can update my III+ with my serial cable when Garmin comes out with updates. Looks like the last eTrex update was June 2002. The last update for my III+ was June 2002 also.
The Radio Shack piece I am talking of is not the standard null modem adapter that can not be taken apart. RS has an adapter that can be separated and with a little planning could only take maybe a few minutes work. This is probably the best method IMHO. You will have to do this due to the original posters description of pin swapping on the etrex vs traditional pin placement for communications on the serial.
If by building one you mean from component parts, the biggest problem is that the RS232 standard serial signals must be changed into USB signals. That change means a voltage level and timing change. To do that, PC-Mobile is building in a circuit card to do that change. The Dell serial cable has a circuit card in the little box in the middle of the cable.
If by building one you meant buying the Dell cable, null modem connectors, gender changers, etc., the big advantage to the PC-Mobile cable is that it is shorter and less awkward and cheaper. The PC-Mobile cable is meant to be used INSTEAD of the Dell serial cable and INSTEAD of a Garmin or Magellan cable, and without null modems or gender changers, and the price is less than the combination of all that, which makes it a pretty good deal. (I think in your $34.11 pricing you left out the price of the serial cable to the GPS unit. They run about $30 for most of them.) The cable I got from PC-Mobile was about three feet long. The combination of the Magellan serial cable and Dell Serial cable is about six feet long.
Pricing on the cable is on the PC-Mobile web site. For a Magellan it's the GMAX5 combo for $29.90 plus shipping.
BTW, they are in Hong-Kong, not Japan. When I ordered from them before they said delivery in two weeks and it arrived on time, as promised.
I'm not pushing these things, but they are an attractive option if all you want to connect serially is a Magellan or Garmin GPS. If you have other things to connect, or already have a serial cable to the GPS unit and don't mind 6 feet of cable, there may be cheaper alternatives.
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