GPS and DSC - Round 2

sailingfool · #1 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008

Following on the thread http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...8-gps-dsc.html after visiting some marine stores with no luck, I did find the necessary solderless RCA plug at a second Radio Shack, cost $1, plus 2-3 hours of driving around.

So I installed everything, went into my Garmin 182 and turned on the NMAE messaging, and the message "NO LOCATION" displayed on the new radio.

So in Round 2, after some homework, I found that adding a "DSC" function to my Garmin required a newer firmware version, which is available free on the web. However to transfer the firmware from my PC to the Garmin required the purchase of a Garmin USB Reader and a Garmin data card, total $100, no generic PC gear allowed.

While gagging a bit at this expense for hardware for a one-time update, I noticed a note in the Garmin instructions that Garmin could mail those software updates by a pre-programmed data card. So I called Garmin and a very pleasant guy explained they provided the card for $50, which was fully refundable if the card is returned. Free???? Free.

So my software upgrade is in the mail, almost for free (shipping $6) and I love my Garmin.

That's the great thing about boating, you're always learning something new, but I hope there isn't a Round 3.

JiffyLube · #2 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingfool

So in Round 2, after some homework, I found that adding a "DSC" function to my Garmin required a newer firmware version, which is available free on the web. However to transfer the firmware from my PC to the Garmin required the purchase of a Garmin USB Reader and a Garmin data card, total $100, no generic PC gear allowed.

Along with other things, I bought the USB Programmer and a 32 megabit card. The first thing I had to use it for was, downloading some software from Garmin that would let my plotter recognize my radar...I found out later that the software was suppose to be included with the radar. I've used the programmer and card to download software updates for my plotter, GPS, and radar. I also us it for saving routes and waypoints from laptop where I use Maptech, and load those into my plotter. You'll find more uses for the programmer in time.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008

SF-

If you need to do that in the future, I have the Garmin cards and card reader. Their newer hardware uses standard SD cards IIRC.

sailingfool · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

SF-

If you need to do that in the future, I have the Garmin cards and card reader. Their newer hardware uses standard SD cards IIRC.

SD,

Thanks for for the kind offer, in fact I had planned to post asking if someone had that gear to locally borrow, before I spoke to the guy at Garmin. If you ever need a solderless RCA plug, I'm your man.

JiffyLube · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

SF-

If you need to do that in the future, I have the Garmin cards and card reader. Their newer hardware uses standard SD cards IIRC.

The 4000 plotters us SD cards?

brak · #6 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008

I'd like to mention, that while Garmin may need an update to use data FROM DSC radio, DSC radio should be able to use Garmin data (or any other GPS data) without any updates. It uses on of the standard NMEA messages for coordinates. So, if the radio is unable to receive this data, it is not likely that firmware upgrade will help. It may be worth doing anyway, but if it does not work - the usual NMEA stuff applies -check proper connections, check that the GPS is configured for output on a given port and output parameters are correct (i.e. if it can output different messages or speeds, these must be compatible to the radio)

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiffyLube

The 4000 plotters us SD cards?

If you read the Garmin website, it clearly says so.

BarryL · #8 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008

Hello,

Lowrance uses regular SD cards to update firmware. Download the update, put it on an SD card, insert the card into the unit, power on the unit, and the update gets done automatically.

Barry

JiffyLube · #9 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

If you read the Garmin website, it clearly says so.

Yep, you're right about that. Once I got my plotter I didn't pay that much attention to the 4000 or 5000 series, and while I've seen them on display I never noticed the change in data cards that they switched too.