Newsgroup sci.geo.satellite-nav 30554

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Well Here I am cruising at precisely 29,000 feet and traveling at precisely
533Mph and just passed over the South Fork Boot River (N43.43.825 &
W091.34.203) about 120 miles outside of Minneapolis. How do I know this you
ask? By using the GPS 12XL in conjunction with DeLorme SA4. This stuff
really works! The GPS12XL is everything I thought it would be and more! For
sake of maneuverability, I stuck my GA27 external antenna between the
window shade and the pane and I locked onto 6 satellites quickly (about 30
seconds cold at the gate and 5 seconds warm) and maintained a 3D reading
throughout the flight! Just for grins, I turned on the DeLorme "log to
disk" and am capturing the entire trip (as I type this - yes I'm running
win'95) in a log file that I can use to impress my wife who totally
believes that this is a Boys and their Toys ordeal... But look honey, ain't
this stuff neat? 

John Fowler  wrote:
>
>> I'm wondering  who's gonna come out with the first color handheld
>>GPS.
>
>Garmin already makes a color GPS that's about twice the size of the 195 and 
>puts the average laptop screen to shame.  The only problem is that it's only 
>available in a marine version.  Since the 195 is basically a clone of the 175, 
>though, we can only guess that it won't be long...
>
>The last price list I have puts the price of the unit right around $2500 - 
>$3000.
Also, Skyforce makes their Skymap II in a color (colour, for those
of you across the pond) version. I've just ordered the monochrome
Skymap II and I can't wait for it to get here.
You can check it out at http://www.skyforce.co.uk
-- 
__/\__  Jonathan S. Haas             | Jake liked his women the way he liked
\    /  jhaas@microsoft.com          | his kiwi fruit: sweet yet tart, firm-
/_  _\  Gore in '97                  | fleshed yet yielding to the touch, and
  \/    Printed on recycled electrons| covered with short brown fuzzy hair.

I just updated to the Garmin 175 and would like to sell my “old 45 XL.”
The original costs are:
    Garmin 45 XL                   $307
    Cigarette lighter adapter      $25
    Power cord                     $30
    Antenna extension with cup     $25
    Floating case                  $15
    Carrying case                  $10
I would like $225.    Barry

Joe Mehaffey wrote:
> 
> Yes,  I have observed that the internal antenna in Magellan 3000/4000s
> remains active when you install the external antenna.  However,  I
> always have the external outside the vehicle or at least on the dash.
> The GPS is then on the seat or floor of the vehicle and I have never
> noticed a problem.  I have also noted that the internal antenna
> sensitivity is reduced when the unit is operated with the accessory
> power/data module is installed independent of if the external antenna is
> connected or not.  I actually find that if I do USE the M-4000 on
> external power,  I must also use the external antenna or I have
> inadequate sensitivity on my unit.  I have not previously mentioned this
> sensitivity reduction as this could be a sample defect not present in
> all units.
> 
> Joe Mehaffey
May not be a defect - happens on my M 3000 too.

     Does anyone have any ideas about where I could find male TNC 
connectors for RG-6 coax?  Radio Shack doesn't have them.
Thanks,
Mike Shecket
-------------------==== Posted via Deja News ====-----------------------
      http://www.dejanews.com/     Search, Read, Post to Usenet

95XL and 90 have the update (at least for Atlantic/International) on a
single disk - the label on the 95XL DB update that I received from Garmin
indicated that the disk could also be used in a 90.
regards, James

I'm thinking of buying a low-cost hand-held GPS receiver to use for
outdoor wandering-about, and also for making more accurate astronomical
observations as to time, location, etc.
I see that there are several models available for a retail cost of
$200 or less. Does anyone want to share some ideas as to which they
think is the best, and why?
-- 
Robert Sheaffer - Robert.Sheaffer@siemenscom.com - Skeptical to the Max!

I'm curious as to how you seemingly determined a value for repeatability
from an accuracy.  Also, unless it has changed in the last few years,
the accuracy spec. for the USCG DGPS system was 8 meters (I think that
was 3 sigma).

Don't know if you can get your own copy of the software
but there are several sources for making the calculations. See:
http://www.cnde.iastate.edu/staff/swormley/gps/satellites.html
         Interactive GPS or GLONASS Satellite
         Positions  - The Interactive GPS Satellite
         Prediction utility requires the user to input the
         latitude & longitude of the required location. 
         Interactive GPS Satellite Prediction  - The
         Interactive GPS Satellite Prediction utility
         requires the user to input the latitude & longitude
         of the required location, along with the time that
         the information is to be relevant. 
         GPS & GLONASS Java Applets  ( MIT Lincoln Laboratory) 
         SatTrack is a satellite orbit prediction and
         realtime tracking program with X Window
         System color graphics displays. It has been written
         in C language and runs on UNIX and Linux
         systems, using only basic X11 and X11 Toolkit
         functions for the graphics displays. The program
         not only displays in realtime where a number of
         satellites are, but is also capable of controlling
         suitable ground station equipment, like antennas
         or optical telescopes, radio communications
         hardware or other sensors. An autotrack mode can
         track any number of satellites and switches
         automatically between them as they rise and set.
         Predictions of passes of satellites over specified
         ground stations can be run off either interactively
         or in batch mode. Future releases will have more
         features, like prediction of the GPS precision as a
         function of time and location and many others. 
         Orbital Elements of satellites including GPS.
         GPS Precise Orbits - The U.S. Department of
         Transportation's Civil GPS Service has designated
         NOAA to be the federal agency responsible for
         providing accurate and timely Global Positioning
         System (GPS) satellite ephemerides ("orbits") to
         the general public. The GPS precise orbits are
         derived using 24 hour data segments from the
         global GPS network coordinated by the
         International Geodynamics GPS Service (IGS).
         the reference frame used in the computation is the
         International Earth Rotation Service Terrestrial
         Reference Frame (ITRF). In addition, an
         informational summary file is provided to
         document the computation and to convey relevant
         information about the observed satellites, such as
         maneuvers or maintenance. The orbits generally
         are available two to six days after the date of
         observation. 
__________________________________________________
Sam Wormley - http://www.cnde.iastate.edu/gps.html

Bob <_pmw5_@cornell.edu> writes:
>I find it interesting that the RG 59 worked better than the 58 
>considering the impedence mismatch. 59 is 75 Ohms.
RG-59 has considerably lower loss per unit length at high frequencies.
As for the impedance mismatch, that would cause some power not to be
transferred from the antenna to the receiver, but that's a fixed loss
regardless of length, while the gains due to lower loss per meter would
make up for that given sufficient length.  So a short length of RG-58
would outperform a short length of RG-59, but the 59 would win for any
length beyond some threshold.
(I know that the loss due to mismatch actually depends on the length
of the coax in wavelengths too.  But the worst case loss for the mismatch
does not increase with length).
	Dave

    I didn't notice it before, but it apears to me now that you have
slightly changed your comments, and they are not really inconflict
with my understanding any more. I still however feel your origninal
statement was misleading. 
    Originaly you stated that DGPS could not improve a GPS's performance
beyond the levels of accuracy that they give, wich exclude SA. Now
you seem to be saying that what you mean is that some portion of the
accuracy figuress are directly atibutable to the receiver and noting else
and that portion of the error can not be reduced by the use of DGPS. 
I may be spliting hares but that seems like a big differance in comments
to me...
   Garmin basicly states that the level of their accuracy for the 12XL
is 15 meters(not including SA). Your orginal statement implied that
this receiver could never obtain any better then 15 meter accuracy even
with the use of a differential beacon receiver. We have sense seen
that Garmin says that this device can get substaintialy better accuracy
then 15 meters when used in conjuction with a differential receiver.
Aparrently what Garmin actualy claims is that the 12XL can achive 1-5
meter accuracy with a differential receiver. I'm not enitirely sure
what you actually are trying to say now.  I do still think your orgininal
staments were missleading at best. 
   For clairifaction here is what Joe's orignal statment said...
"This is a VERY good technical description of the limitations of
Broadcast Differential GPS.  Perhaps this will help users understand WHY
it is that DGPS removes ONLY the SA error and does NOT improve the basic
accuracy of a GPS unit.  Thus,  if you  have a handheld GPS that
advertises 50ft accuracy (exclusive of SA),  then even if you purchase
DGPS service with 1 meter (3.1ft) accuracy,  you will STILL have a
system with an error rating of +/- 50ft accuracy capability.  I hope
this will spare someone the disappointment of getting DGPS and then
wondering why their Low Cost GPS isnt giving them 1 meter accuracy."
In article <32EF0937.7B53@bellsouth.net>,
Joe Mehaffey   wrote:
)Dear Iggy,
)
)All this information in your post from Garmin is quite true.  And
)useful.  But..  Listen Carefully!  If the BASIC MEASUREMENT ACCURACY of
)a GPS is REALLY 15 meters,  DGPS won't improve it to better than that. 
)On the other hand,  if the manufacturer specifies his system accuracy as
)15 meters (to take account of various factors),  and the ACTUAL
)instrument measurement accuracy is (say) 9 meters (absent SA,  etc) then
)a 1 meter DGPS correction signal will get you to perhaps 10 meter
)accuracy.  BUT!  It won't get you 1 meter accuracy.  That is why in my
)original posting I said that BEFORE you buy a GPS and hook up a DGPS Rx
)to it,  find out from your GPS manufacturer what his unit is specified
)to do with a particular DGPS RX and  service attached.  This is as true
)as ever.  Nothing can improve the measurment accuracy of a particular
)GPS beyond its BASIC MEASUREMENT ACCURACY CAPABILITY.  DGPS only
)corrects for errors in the data presented to the GPS.  It does NOT
)improve the basic measurement accuracy capability of the GPS Rx itself.
)
)It is true that some GPS instruments have a basic measurement accuracy
)better than their specification.  This is WONDERFUL!..  Just don't count
)on it being the case with all GPS units..  If you additionally have time
)to do averaging on the data,  you can further improve the position
)measurement accuracy.   Also,  some vendors actually have a
)specification telling you what accuracy to expect when using DGPS with a
)particular model.  Most don't.  If the manufacturer of a particular
)model does not tell you that the accuracy with DGPS connected is better
)than his basic accuracy spec,  don't count on it being better!  Let the
)buyer beware.
)
)Hopefully this clears it up for you.
)
)Joe Mehaffey

A salesperson at a local store was steering me away from the GPSMAP 175 
because there are no inland Texas G-Charts available at this time.  I 
haven't found any 'net listings of available charts.  Can anyone confirm 
this information or direct me to a proper source?
Thanks,
Rich

In article <32EFC1BF.7A24@sgi.net>, skytrees@sgi.net writes:
> FSD NetSrv wrote:
> > 
> > Why not just buy a brand new GPS-89?
> > It is $450 and has all the airports and vors in
> > the world in it.
> > Elmer Mooring (T8)
> Now there's an idea I hadn't thought about...I should've done the same
> thing and saved $199
Whether it's worth the additional $199 I don't know...but the 90 does free you
from unfolding the map while stretching to reach an unfamiliar airport by 
providing runway diagrams and frequencies....
Don Ingraham

I have found while travelling down the icw I usually track all 8 sats on
my 45. However, often when I come upon a tugboat and pass from either
direction, I often get the "Poor GPS Coverage" message. By the time I
page the message off and go back to the status page, all the sats are
there (either again, or still).
Is it possible that being that close to a radar or some other
transmitter could be "jamming" the signal? Any other explanations?
Tim

ACC  invites you to download GIS Control  Tool
GIS (geographic information system) Control Tool includes all of the
features that you need to build your own control system. With this
software package you will be able to design your own rules, your own
control , and add attributes to the rules. At any time you will be able to
change the rules by adding new attributes and new rules to the current
map. Any control can be changed by the user.
Our GIS engine is powerful and runs on a PC , Windows 3.11 , Windows 95,
and Windows NT.
For more information: http://www.connections.w1.com/acc.html
and click on Software !
Advanced Communications and Control
"Bringing High Tech Down To Earth"
Regards
Edward Willard
Communications Officer
ACC INC
3558 Atlanta Hwy
Ste 110
Flowery Branch, GA.
Tel/Fax :770-534-1186	
accgis@aol.com

Has anyone compared the Garmin 12XL with the Lowrance Global Nav 200?
They seem to be aimed at the same market.

Can the differential ready GPS units simply be tuned into the coast
guard signal? (provided you are close enough) or do you have to have one
of the beacon type receivers?
-- 
Greg Van Eeckhout
Limnologist (I Study Lakes and Rivers)
MSU Water Resource Center
http://www.mankato.msus.edu/dept/water/WRCweb/wrc_2.html
For Quality Duck Calls checkout 
http://vax1.mankato.msus.edu/~vaneeck/dh.html
"Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience"

According to page 53: "Using DGPS corrections will improve reciever
accuracy to 1 - 5 meters".
Fergus Hammond
Adobe Systems, Inc.
Roland  wrote in article <5cmtef$fj1@news3.texas.net>...
> For someone who has their very own 12XL manual handy:
> 
> What does the manual say is the possible accuracy, using the 12XL and a 
> DGPS unit.
> 
> success,
> Roland
> 
> 

Can't give you a certain answer on if the equipment uses the data. 
However, the Type 9 message was defined part of the RTCM-104 used in the
early 90's (91-92).  Use of the message was implemented due to
operational experiments performed by USCG & NOAA in the Gulf of Mexico
(I was involved in those operations on the NOAA side).  Summer time
thunder storms were causing a lot of lost messages.  If the units in
fact support the full RTCM (at least for code corrections) the equipment
probably uses the correctors provided.
The answer to your second question, I think, is that these satellite
range correctors are applied to the range observations made before the
position computation is performed.

   I don't beleive anyone has yet obtained a Lowrance Global Nav 200,
so there have not been any direct comparisons. I don't beleive I have
seen anyone indicate they have directly compared a Eagle Explorer to
the Garmin 12XL either.
    I have compared the Explorer to the AccuNav Sport, and the
Garmin 45XL to the AccuNav Sport, and I have a 12XL on order. I
will be comparing the 12XL to the AccuNav Sport at my fist possible
chance. I will report my findings on this newgroup. I fully intend
to keep the 12XL as my second GPS, that is unless it's performacne
is no where near as good as my Eagle AccuNav Sport. I am using the
AccuNav more or less as a bench mark for performance levels, becasue
I have owned and used it extensively for about 4 years now and
I have always been extreemly happy with it's performance. The Explorer
performed at or slightly above the levels of the AccuNav Sport, but I
didn't like it's user interface, and the fact that it doesn't have
the ability to attach a external antenna or a audible alarm. The Global
Nav 200 will have a external antenna jack and audible alarm, but the
user interface should be nearly identical to that of the Explorer. The
45XL has a pretty nice interface, but it's performance levels were not
good. I have decided that if the 12XL has steped up performance levels
and has good battery life, nice interface external antenna jack, and a 
udible alarm, it will work well for me as a second GPS.
   So, while no one here has reviewed the Global Nav 200 directly,
it should offer no big surprizes to people if they have been reading
this newgroup much lately.
In article <32EFCA01.55D1@wat.hookup.net>,
Terry Wilkinson   wrote:
>Has anyone compared the Garmin 12XL with the Lowrance Global Nav 200?
>They seem to be aimed at the same market.

Thanks to all who responded to my call for help.  I can now lay down my
track in SA4 as I move about.
The first to get me going was Tim Hubbard with his suggestion of setting
the Garmin to NMEA/NONE and NMEA 0183 2.0.  This worked right off.
Later I tried various settings while in Simulator Mode.  Does anyone
know if things behave the same in Normal?  Anyway, I found that once
started in NMEA/NONE, 2.0, I could change to NMEA 0183 1.5 or NMEA/MNEA
and it would still track okay.
How come Delorme doesn't discuss this better in their manual? or help?
Thanks again for the speedy replies,
Tom Pettit

   I might be willing to give you a answer in a few weeks after
I have had a chance to review the Garmin 12XL I have on order.
   In the mean time look for information on the Eagle Explorer, Eagle
AccuNav Sport, Lowrance Gloabl Nav 200, and the Garmin 12XL. If
you have web accsess check out www.dejanews.com and do some searchs.
If you know how to use a good news reader, many of the posts are 
really recent and many of them should still be around on your local
news server.
PS. In the future I suggest you try some of the various 
techniques I described before you just jump in asking newbie type 
questions. 
In article <5coao2$4bu@italy.eng.sc.rolm.com>,
Robert Sheaffer  wrote:
>I'm thinking of buying a low-cost hand-held GPS receiver to use for
>outdoor wandering-about, and also for making more accurate astronomical
>observations as to time, location, etc.
>
>I see that there are several models available for a retail cost of
>$200 or less. Does anyone want to share some ideas as to which they
>think is the best, and why?

: Binary files should ONLY be posted to newsgroups with BINARY in
: their name.
Unless the charter of this group explicitly prohibits binary files,
there is no problem with his posting that relevant file here.
--
Nick Ingegneri

   You have to have a differntial beacon receiver. I am not sure
if anyone makes a unit that acutally includes the becaon receiver
and the GPS all in one device. Basicly what is meant by differntial
ready, means that you can connect it to a beacon receiver and then
you can get the corrections.
In article <32EFC23D.37F9@vax1.mankato.msus.edu>,
Greg Van Eeckhout   wrote:
>Can the differential ready GPS units simply be tuned into the coast
>guard signal? (provided you are close enough) or do you have to have one
>of the beacon type receivers?

I have been playing around with a Psion Organiser and have added many 
features to my GPS via the NMEA data output. One of which is an echo type
locator where two beeps of differing frequencies and duration indicate the
distance to go to a destination.
Now I wish to add an audio direction finder using sounds (not speech). Any
Ideas?
-- 
Paul
        37°15.3'S
       175°22.1'E

I am looking for software that provides the same functionality as SA4 
for the Mac.  I have SA3 and Gpsy but this is ackward (IMHO).  Is 
anyone aware of either existing software of future software which will 
fill this need?  I am not interested in scanning maps or bringing them 
in as drawings and then superimposing another software package 
(MacGPS).
There is certainly a large Mac market out there and its a shame that 
someone hasn't tapped this market (that I'm aware of).  Any 
suggestions would be appreciated.  I may have to resort to acquiring 
"SoftWindows" for the Mac  :(
Thanks in advance.
Phil

   I thought that in the past I had heard some Garmin owners say that
the 45 did this. My recent experiance with the 45XL did not reveal
that it was capable of saving a waypoint with the altitude as well.
I am quite certian that someone claimed their GPS was able to do
that, but I have never seen one that does. I have used the Magellan
Trailblazer, Eagle AccuNav Sport and Explorer, as well as the Garmin
45XL, and near as I could tell none of them saved altitude with the 
waypoints.(or the track log data for that matter)
In article <32EE38E4.2F12@as.arizona.edu>,
Steve West   wrote:
)I see that there is a current explosion in handheld GPS receivers on the
)market.
)I have a Garmin 40, and my biggest complaint is that although altitude
)is calculated, it is not saved when you store as a waypoint.  Since I
)hunt in mountainous areas, this would be useful.  I also have a
)paragliding friend who needs a receiver that stores altitude with each
)waypoint.
)Do any of the current receivers do this?

Just bought a used Garman 45...with the combined data/power cable, but
the power part of the cable was cut (I guess the guy just needed the
data cable so he cut it).  In any case, I'd like to add the power
cable back so I can power this unit from my car.  Could someone tell
me which cable is plus and which is - power.  Can I just connect to an
auto lighter plug?  Yes, the fuse holder was cut as well....what size
fuse???

No battery saver mode. But, having had a GPS45 and a GPS38, this 12XL is
hot. Locked a position within 15 sec with 5 sats at first turn-on. Great
unit. Way to go Garmin! And a case to boot.
David Kunz  wrote in article
<5cnccl$n8n@clarknet.clark.net>...
> Bob (_pmw5_@cornell.edu) wrote:
> : The following information was copied DIRECTLY from Garmin's WEB site.
> ...
> 
> :      Map Datums: Over 106 including a User Datum
> 
> What is the difference between a "Map Datum" and a waypoint (since the
> 12xl doesn't really display a map, just a route).
> 
> :      Power Source: (4) AA batteries or 4-40vDC
> 
> This is different from the 10-40 we keep hearing...
> 
> :      Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
> 
> I don't see a mention of a batery saver mode?  Does anyone know if it
> has one?
> 
> -- 
> David Kunz
> 

cd wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> I have heard the samr thing but was wondering why then the 12xl has a
> best position of, I think 29 meters with DGPS while my 175 book claims
> 1-5 meters with differential. This might be a software limitation and
> I'd be surprised if they didn't have the same RF front end.
> 
>snip
I spoke with Rand from Garmin Technical Support today.  He indicated 
that the Phase 12 reciever in the averaging mode was able to obtain a 
best position of 29 ft. without DGPS.  I'm sure that the 12xl is also 
capable of the 1 - 5 meter accuracy with DGPS.

Rick Yost (rickyost@juno.com) wrote:
: Well Here I am cruising at precisely 29,000 feet and traveling at precisely
: 533Mph and just passed over the South Fork Boot River (N43.43.825 &
: W091.34.203) about 120 miles outside of Minneapolis. 

:  I stuck my GA27 external antenna between the
: window shade and the pane and I locked onto 6 satellites quickly (about 30
: seconds cold at the gate and 5 seconds warm) and maintained a 3D reading
: throughout the flight! 

   I suspect the aircrew were not aware that you were running this below
10000 ft or cruise altitude, and would not have been amused if they had
known.
-- 
Gerry 

You might also check out: http://www.nobeltec.com/ who makes Win95
software to run charts and GPS
-- 
Chris Altwegg                    |  altwegg@halcyon.com
Pinpoint Direct Marketing Mgmt.  |  206-523-6477 (voice)
6001 NE 61st. St.                |  206-523-6559 (fax)
Seattle, WA 98115                |  206-522-8099 (home)

	I've owned the Airmap since last July and it has performed
	very well since adding it to my flight bag.  Recently, while 
	"armchair flying" an upcoming route, I had it plugged into 
	an external 12vdc power source.  Thunderstorm in the vicinity 
	knocked out the power for a short time.  The circuitry 
	appeared to have been damaged.  Still under warranty, I 
	returned the unit to Lowrance who quickly replaced it with
	another.  I noted upon its return that it now sported a 
	software upgrade, version 2.0
	This morning I found out what this minor upgrade included.
	Besides eliminating/merging Map 4 into Map 3, it now includes
	an OBSTRUCTIONS menu.  Now, all new Jepp wafer cartridges
	now come in two flavors:  A normal one vs one which supports
	version 2.0 and above.  The latter incorporates Jepp docu-
	mented, man-made obstructions which are > 250' AGL.  When 
	activated, an alarm (audible or flashing display) takes place,
	alerting you to nearby obstacles.
	Thanks also to the tips from other Eagle/Lowrance folks on 
	the GPS list who noted undocumented feature:  go to system info 
	screen which shows s/ware version #.....press the UP arrow 5x
	.....display will show the cumulative hours of use since last
	cold boot (ie when the center of the universe was Tulsa, OK 
	- Lowrance HQ).  I found this to work also with the aviation
	model.
	ray - 
	N  47* 34'
	W 122* 18'

GSW wrote:
> 
>    I thought that in the past I had heard some Garmin owners say that
> the 45 did this. My recent experiance with the 45XL did not reveal
> that it was capable of saving a waypoint with the altitude as well.
> I am quite certian that someone claimed their GPS was able to do
> that, but I have never seen one that does. I have used the Magellan
> Trailblazer, Eagle AccuNav Sport and Explorer, as well as the Garmin
> 45XL, and near as I could tell none of them saved altitude with the
> waypoints.(or the track log data for that matter)
This is an unfortunate problem.  The Garmin communications protocol for
up/downloading waypoints has a field for the altitute, even though the
unit does not save it.  This must mean that *some* of their product line
must save altitude - the aviation-specific units perhaps?
Anyway, if I really *need* the altitude saved, I key it into the comment
field manually.  Not a very convenient method, but it works.  Of course,
this overwrites part of the date and/or the time that the waypoint was
created.  It's the best you can do unless you write the data down in a
separate notebook.
-- 
J. Giles
Ricercar Software

In article <5cjeb2$6t@conny.jrnet.de>, riebold@nuernberg.netsurf.de wrote:
>Hi,
>today I bought an Magellan Trailblazer XL. I also bought the 
>Power/Data Cable. Now I want to assemble the cable, but the 
>Instructions for the Data only discribe the names 
>NMEA+ NMEA-
>I think that NMEA+ is TXD and NMEA- is RXD, so I can interface with
>the PC serial port.
>Is that correct ??
I have Magelan Trailblazer and if I'm correct the XL has same NMEA output as 
my trailblazer. I did open up the 'data' cable and it has nothing to do with 
the data, it has only power regulator and some BUZ71 circuit for arrival 
alarm. You can check the PC-interface from Magellan Trailblazer from my 
homepage, and if I'm correct it works with an XL too.
http://www.hit.fi/~ppatama/projects.html
-Pasi
ppatama@hit.fi

Robert Backer wrote:
> 
> PA Williamson wrote:
> >
> > On Sat, 25 Jan 1997 08:49:04 -0800, "TV-Marina,Inc."
> >  wrote:
> >
> > >I need the GPS-90 bad! Anyone who's got the unit in OK condition below
> > >$450, pls e-mail me back. I can't really spend more, since I had to do
> > >my solo cross-countries, to get my private.
> > >
> > >I am in California, San Francisco Bay Area
> >
> >   Let us all know when/if you find someone willing to sell his 90 that
> > cheap. IMO. these units are not like the PC clone market...1000.00
> > bucks today, 300.00 the next. I can't see the 90's price dropping too
> > much until Garmin drops the price of the 195.
> >
> >  I'm wondering  who's gonna come out with the first color handheld
> > GPS.
> >
> >
> While it doesn't quite meet your price point, Marv Golden Aircraft
> Supplies in San Diego sells the 90 for $625 which is the best price that
> I have seen.  His phone # is 619 569-5220.
> 
> Bob Backer XZ
Gps World had them for $575 in December.  They are worth about $300
without the current software.  Gary

I finally got fed up with the Garmin 45 speed limit and purchased the
Magellan Trailblazer XL. I've been very pleased with the unit and was
amazed that my first try at connecting my laptop with Vista Map software
was successful.
I've successfully used the unit in airplanes but do get periods where
the signal degrades. Can anyone recommend a different detachable antenna
(non powered) that might get better reception in planes from a passenger
window?

Dave Butler  wrote:
>farrah@eskimo.com wrote:
>> 
>> Hi There,
>>         Has anyone experienced any ambiguous altitude readouts with the
>> MentorPlus/Rockwell R100 GPS NavCard??
>> 
>>                       Thanx,
>>                            Bob
>What you're seeing may not be unique to your GPS. GPS is least accurate
>in altitude. The altitude accuracy is not nearly as good as the latitude
>and longitude. Part of the reason is that the altitude reported by the
>GPS is above the GPS reference sphere, not MSL. I think another reason
>is that the geometry of the satellites and receiver make for more
>uncertainty in the calculation of altitude. I think there's a discussion
>on the subject in the GPS FAQ related to the GPS newgroup. Don't
>remember the name of the newsgroup, but starts with sci...
>Dave
sci.geo.satellite-nav is the group for GPS. You can find some
interesting and detailed discussions on GPS systems and theory.
Hope this helps,
Bill

In article <5cn93o$d10@paperboy.ccc.nottingham.ac.uk>,
Al Smith  wrote:
>with my M-4000, there is some kind of receiver status information screen
>(accessible via MNU-R-L-R-R-U-ENT). [i've got firmware 3.05].
I can confirm that this works on the M-3000, the version appears to be
1.1 - do I need an upgrade?
>it seems to be for each channel it has a three letter acronym saying
>what it's doing (eg SEQ, BIT, DAT, IDL, SCH, TRK, RAN etc),
>the number of the satellite (?) then some sort of status bits:
>the degrees symbol, then the letters E T and F.  T seems to indicate
>that it has a lock on the satellite but i'm unable to work out
>what the other letters signify. finally, there is a 3 or 4 digit
>number. signal strength ??
>
>along the base of the screen there are more numbers flicking by.
>
>admittedly i've not spent a great deal of time trying to work out
>what this screen can tell me, but any information would be helpful,
>even working out what the unit is doing for each acronym.
>
>this screen is via code 01:
>00 gives the firmware version,
>10 is a test mode,
>20 asks me if i want to 'burn in' the unit. i haven't said yes yet!
>i haven't checked above 20.
>are there any other easter eggs that i haven't found yet ?
--
David Richards                             Ripco, since Nineteen-Eighty-Three
My opinions are my own,                    Public Access in Chicago
But they are available for rental          Shell/SLIP/PPP/UUCP/ISDN/Leased
dr@ripco.com                               (773) 665-0065 !Free Usenet/E-Mail!

In article <5cjeb2$6t@conny.jrnet.de>,
Jens Riebold  wrote:
>Hi,
>today I bought an Magellan Trailblazer XL. I also bought the 
>Power/Data Cable. Now I want to assemble the cable, but the 
>Instructions for the Data only discribe the names 
>NMEA+
>NMEA-
>I think that NMEA+ is TXD and NMEA- is RXD, so I can interface with
>the PC serial port.
Check out http://www.w6bhz.calpoly.edu/~rgilliga/NMEAWiring.html
That's the standard my friends and I use for interoperability of all our
equipment.  For you, it does have the color codes and DE-9 pin numbers for
connections to the PC.
-- 
Rick Gilligan
Senior Software Specialist
Computer And Software Enterprises, Inc.
E-mail: rick@case.net