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GPSs Compatible with Terrain Navigator Pro

← GPS: Connectivity, Configuration, and Troubleshooting
Electronics Hookup and Configuration

Introduction

There are two reasons to connect a GPS to your PC: Real-time position tracking on the PC screen and the transfer of information between the PC and the GPS. Virtually any GPS unit can be used for real-time positioning, but transferring routes, waypoints, and tracks to and from a GPS requires special compatibility.

Note: This document has been updated to reflect the current capabilities of Terrain Navigator Pro. If you are running an earlier version of the software, certain GPS options will not be available. In addition, older versions of Terrain Navigator Pro may contain settings for GPSs that are no longer supported.

The GPS Setup Wizard

Terrain Navigator Pro includes a GPS Setup Wizard that will automatically detect many popular GPS units and configure Terrain Navigator to take advantage of them. This takes the guesswork out of finding "COM Ports" and other configuration hassles. The wizard will even troubleshoot many common connection problems, and determine which settings work best with your GPS.

Real-time Position Tracking on the PC screen

Connect any industry-standard NMEA 0183 GPS to your PC, and Terrain Navigator will display the real-time position on top of a topographic map or aerial photo.

Most GPS receivers output the NMEA 0183 (version 1.5, 2.0/2.1, or 2.3) data language. GPS receivers can be connected by a serial cable (sold by the GPS manufacturers) to your PC through a standard 9-pin serial port. If your PC only has USB connections, you can connect a GPS serial cable to a serial-to-USB hub that will connect it to the USB port on your PC, or use a USB GPS.

Most Garmin GPS receivers require special USB Driver software to make them compatible with Windows computers for real-time position tracking. Obtain this driver at: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=591

Transferring Waypoint, Route and Track Information Between the PC and GPS

Terrain Navigator Pro can transfer Waypoint, Route and Track Information between the PC and specific GPS models. Many users find it easier to plan routes on the PC than to hand-key them into their GPS, and Terrain Navigator facilitates this.

Unlike with Real-Time positioning, there is no industry-standard for transferring Waypoint, Route and Track information. Each GPS model has its own specific "drivers" for communicating this information.

However, many GPS manufacturers are adopting "GPX" files (GPs eXchange format) as a standard protocol for sharing marker, route, and track data. Terrain Navigator can import and export Waypoints (Makers), Routes and Tracks in GPX format. For example, to import a GPX file containing Markers (waypoints), open the File menu in Terrain Navigator, choose Import, Markers, set the File Type as GPS Exchange Format (*.GPX), and select the desired GPX file from the GPS. (Use the other import/export options for markers, routes, and tracks to receive and send similar data sets.)

Transferring Maps and Photos to Handheld GPS Units

Like routes, tracks, etc., there is no industry standard for transferring raster topographic maps and/or aerial photos to handheld GPSs. Some GPS manufacturers produce their own maps and, generally speaking, do not allow other map data types to be transferred to their units. Some GPS manufactures, (including DeLorme and Magellan) allow maps to be transferred to their GPS units, provided that those maps are in compliance with their protocols - protocols that are not publicly available and have not been shared with the manufacturer of Terrain Navigator Pro.

Fortunately, most of Garmin's current GPS offerings have "mass storage" or "custom map" capability; the high quality topographic maps and aerial photos of Terrain Navigator Pro can be transferred to these GPS units. Currently, the Garmin Colorado, Oregon, Dakota, eTrex 20/30 and GPSmap 62 GPSs have been found to be able to receive maps from Terrain Navigator Pro. Other similar units (such as the GPSmap 78 and GPSmap 64) should work as well.

That said, you may want to consider using your smartphone instead of a handheld GPS. Your Terrain Navigator Pro subscription includes access to the TNP Mobile App and features the same maps and photos offered on the PC desktop.

Specific GPS Compatibility Notes

Below is detailed compatibility information about specific GPS Manufacturers and models in alphabetical order. Unless otherwise noted, all units listed here are fully compatible for the transfer of routes, waypoints, and tracks to and from the current version of Terrain Navigator Pro. (Older versions of Terrain Navigator Pro may not be compatible with all units.) All units listed can also be used for real-time positioning.

ANY MANUFACTURER (NMEA 0183 GPS)

Any unit that supports the industry standard NMEA 0183 interface specification (version 1.5, 2.0/2.1or 2.3) may be used for real-time tracking in Terrain Navigator. In the Terrain Navigator GPS Setup, choose NMEA - Generic as the manufacturer. Note that transfer of waypoints and routes to and from the PC is not possible when using a Generic NMEA GPS. However, NMEA GPSs come in various forms, including wireless Bluetooth models, and simple designs that are very compact and plug directly into a laptop USB port. Any of these units, so long as they support the NMEA specification, can be used with Terrain Navigator for real-time positioning.

GARMIN - Officially Supported

Below is a list of units that our support and development staff has tested for use with Terrain Navigator.
• Edge 305
• Colorado*
• Dakota* (Note: this GPS is not capable of realtime tracking.)
• eMap
• eTrex (Legend, Legend C USB, Legend HCx, Mariner, Summit, Venture, Vista & Vista C USB)
• eTrex 10
• eTrex 20/30*
• Forerunner 201
• GPS 12 (12, 12cx, 12xl & 12Map)
• GPS 18 USB
• GPS 38
• GPS 45 & 45xl
• GPS 48
• GPS 72
• GPS 76, GPSmap 76 (Cx, Cx USB, CSx, CSx USB)
• GPS 126 & 128
• GPSmap 60C & 60C USB (60CSx, 60CSx USB)
• GPSmap 62* (62, 62s, 62st USB)
• GPSmap 276C & 276C USB
• GPSmap 130
• GPSmap 168 Sounder
• GPSmap 175
• GPSmap 176 & 176C
• GPSmap 295
• GPSmap 492
• GPSmap 2206
• GPS II & II+
• GPS III & III+
• GPS V
• Montana*
• Oregon*
• StreetPilot GPS
• Rino 110, 120 & 130
*The Colorado, Dakota, Oregon, Montana, eTrex 20/30, and GPSmap 62 are mass storage/custom-map capable GPSs which support the transfer of topographic maps from Terrain Navigator and Terrain Navigator Pro, as well as aerial photos from Terrain Navigator Pro.

GARMIN - Cross-Compatibility

Garmin has a wide range of GPS models. Many of them have different shapes, sizes and colors but share similar internal software. We have created a number of software drivers to support Garmin models. If your model isn’t listed above, there’s a good chance it works, but will require selecting another model’s driver. Often, a single driver will work with multiple Garmin units. Below is a "cross-compatibility" list of Garmin models, based solely on information from other customers. If you have additions or corrections for this list, we and your fellow users would appreciate hearing about them. Please call us at 800-627-7236 or email tnp@mytopo.com with additions or corrections. Also note that technical support may not be able to fully assist you with the hookup and use of these units.
• Astro 220 (use GPSmap 60CSx USB setting)
• Astro 320* (use GPSmap 62s USB setting)
(Note: The remote "dog tracking" feature of the Astro GPSs is not supported.)
• ForeTrex 401 (use GPSmap 62s USB setting)
• GPS 17N (use NMEA Generic setting)
• GPS 40 (use GPS 45 setting)
• GPS 72H (use GPSmap 76CSx USB setting)  
• GPS 75 (use GPS 45 setting)
• GPS 152 (use eTrex setting)
• GPSmap 64* (use GPSmap 62s setting)
• GPSmap 78* (use GPSmap 62s setting)
• GPSmap 180 (use Garmin II setting)
• GPSmap 182 (use GPSmap 76 setting)
• GPSmap 188 Sounder (use GPSmap 76 setting)
• GPSmap 215 (use GPS 12XL setting)
• GPSmap 225 (use GPS 126 or GPS 45xl settings)
• GPSmap 230 (use GPSmap 130 setting)
• GPSmap 2006 & 2006C (use GPS 76 setting)
• GPSmap 2010 & 2010C (use GPSmap 76 or GPS 38 settings)
• nuvi 765 (use GPSmap 62s USB setting)
• StreetPilot III (use eMap or eTrex settings)
• Rino 530HCx (use GPSmap 276C USB setting) 
• Rino 655t* (use GPSmap 62s setting) 
*The Astro 320, GPSmap 64 & 78, and Rino 655t are mass storage/custom map capable GPSs which supports the transfer of topographic maps and aerial photos from Terrain Navigator Pro.

GARMIN - Live Position Tracking  
Those who wish to plot their position in real-time on Terrain Navigator Pro's maps and photos using a Garmin GPS will need to download and install their USB Driver Software: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=591 Otherwise, Terrain Navigator Pro will report that the USB Open Failed because TNP can not detect the attached Garmin GPS.

LOWRANCE

• Eagle Explorer
• Eagle Map Guide
• Eagle Map Guide Pro
• GlobalMap 100
• GlobalNav 12
• GlobalNav 212

LOWRANCE - Cross-Compatibility

Lowrance has a wide range of GPS models. Many of them have different shapes, sizes and colors but share similar internal software. We have created a number of software drivers to support Lowrance models. If your model isn’t listed above, there’s a good chance it works, but will require selecting another model’s driver. Often, a single driver will work with multiple Lowrance units. Below is a "cross-compatibility" list of Lowrance models, based solely on information from other customers. If you have additions or corrections for this list, we and your fellow users would appreciate hearing about them. Please call us at 800-627-7236 or email tnp@mytopo.com with additions or corrections. Also note that technical support may not be able to fully assist you with the hookup and use of these units.
• Eagle Accunav Sport (use Eagle Map Guide Pro setting)
• Eagle Expedition & Expedition II (use Eagle Map Guide Pro setting)
• Eagle Journey (use Eagle Map Guide Pro setting)
• GlobalMap 12 (use Eagle Map Guide Pro setting)
• GlobalMap Sport (use Eagle Map Guide Pro setting)
• GlobalNav 200 (use Eagle Map Guide Pro setting)

MAGELLAN - Officially Supported

Below is a list of units that our support and development staff has tested for use with Terrain Navigator Pro. Note that tracks may not be able to be transferred from Terrain Navigator Pro to the Magellan GPS; however, tracks can be received from the GPS and sent to Terrain Navigator Pro.)
• 2000XL & 4000XL
• eXplorist x00 (100/200/300/400/500/600)
• FX324
• GPS 315 & 320
• MAP 330
• Meridian
• Tracker & ColorTRAK

MAGELLAN - Cross-Compatibility

Magellan has a wide range of GPS models. Many of them have different shapes, sizes and colors but share similar internal software. We have created a number of software drivers to support Magellan models. If your model isn’t listed above, there’s a good chance it works, but will require selecting another model’s driver. Often, a single driver will work with multiple Magellan units. Below is a "cross-compatibility" list of Magellan models, based solely on information from other customers. If you have additions or corrections for this list, we and your fellow users would appreciate hearing about them. Please call us at 800-627-7236 or email tnp@mytopo.com with additions or corrections. Also note that technical support may not be able to fully assist you with the hookup and use of these units.

Current Magellan GPS Units:
• eXplorist x10 (GC/310/510/610/710)
• Triton
Real-time positioning may be possible using NMEA Generic Setting.
Marker/route/track/map transfer is not directly supported. However, markers, routes, and tracks can be shared via import/export of GPX files.

Discontinued Magellan GPS Units:
• 3000XL (use 2000XL or 4000XL settings)
• Meridian GPS (use GPS 315 setting)
• Meridian Gold (use GPS 315 or Meridian settings)
• Meridian Platinum (use 2000XL setting)
• NAV 6000 (use 2000XL or 4000XL settings)
• SporTrack & SporTrack Pro (use Tracker setting) 

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