Garmin Foretrex 201 - Sony Vaio Need Tec Help

[greeny 0]

I have just purchased a

Garmin Foretrex 201

I am trying to down load my saved tracks to my Sony Vaio laptop but can not get it to connect / recognise the GPS

I am trying to do it via the Garmin Serial Cable that came with the unit via a Radio Shack Serial to USB converter cable as my laptop does not have a serial port

I have been trying to use the software I downloaded off the Tracking Derby . com website

I have also tried to connect the GPS unit to my PC via the PCs serial port just useing the Garmin serial cable and the Tracking Derby software but also got a nil response

we have been trying this with 2 units and 2 sets of cables so I do not believe this to be a hardware issue

any help / advice would be appriciated.

Greeny

[phoenixlpr 0]

Try to use GPSUtility or EasyGPS!

Or you can test that 2 USB-Serial converter with each other. All you need is a null-modem cable and HyperTerminal.

[greeny 0]

Cheers for the help.
Problem solved.
I found a geek at the DZ who reloaded my USB - Serial drivers.

All is now working well
currently able to upload tracks to Tracking derby . com and then view in Google Earth

Greeny

[OSOK 0]

this the one you have? http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Foretrex-201-Wrist-Mounted-Waterproof/dp/B0001K2JD0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-0905773-9378221?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1174267537&sr=8-1

Any comments on it from anyone who owns one?

[KRBKV 0]

I am using Fortrex 101. I made 5 jumps with it and had no problems with acquiring during flight. Off course i have placed it near window in plane.

With one set of batteries (2 AAA) it worked 3 full days of activity from 8 till 16, i. e. 24 hours. You always could replace this batteries with rechargeable batteries the same size.

One benefit you will get with 201'st is interface cable. 101'st comes without them.

[Costyn 1]

I have it. I love it. Great unit, does what is advertised and does it well. My only regret is that I don't have enough times to use it (I don't go on camping trips or hiking in the wilderness for example). Works well for wingsuiting purposes; you have to figure out the settings first, and see what works well for keeping the signal in the plane, but it's not rocket science.
Cheers

Costyn van Dongen - http://www.flylikebrick.com/ - World Wide Wingsuit News