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eTrex 30x and NMEA output
raichea
6 Points
Most things I've read seem to indicate that the eTrex range do not output NMEA data over USB, which is a slight disappointment but I guess that's how Garmin have chosen to segment their market, if this is true.
There is a support page, however, that suggests GPSGate can get this info from a 20x (and hence 30x?).
https://support.garmin.com/en-GB/?faq=gsDrclVBWH0xtQxyhZWU57
I suspect that the person who wrote the response may have just copy'n'pasted something from another unit's info but thought I'd ask here to see what the consensus is. I did look at installing GPSGate to give it a go, but you also have to install SQL server and Java and I didn't feel like having to go through all that if there's someone with a quick answer here.
Thanks.
There is a support page, however, that suggests GPSGate can get this info from a 20x (and hence 30x?).
https://support.garmin.com/en-GB/?faq=gsDrclVBWH0xtQxyhZWU57
I suspect that the person who wrote the response may have just copy'n'pasted something from another unit's info but thought I'd ask here to see what the consensus is. I did look at installing GPSGate to give it a go, but you also have to install SQL server and Java and I didn't feel like having to go through all that if there's someone with a quick answer here.
Thanks.
Comments
https://gpsgate.com/purchase/gpsgate_client_licenses
Now, I've never seen a an eTrex 30x, but IIRC the only difference from the 20x are the sensors for altitude and compass and the 30x is the better one. Anyway, I purchased the paid version of GPSGate many years ago (I guess this is now called "GPSGate Splitter Standard?), when I was using a laptop in my car, LOL.
But I think all the functions you would need are in the free version available today. The paid version lets you create an unlimited number of COM ports but the free version is limited to two ports. You would only need one port. :) And you don't need Java or SQL server for either of these, they are stand-alone programs.
One discovery though... in Garmin mode, the unit takes power from the USB port so saving battery - mainly useful for firmware updates and in vehicle use, I guess.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/pn/010-10851-11
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/pn/010-11478-05
BTW, looking at these on Garmin's site, I noticed that the eTrex 30x is discontinued. It was introduced exactly 4 years ago - seems like a pretty short lifecycle for a Garmin handheld.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/518048#accessories
But the eTrex 20x is still available. That seems odd...
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/518046
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/140022
I' m not an eTrex fan myself (I had an early model, the Legend C), but I think they have a following because of the size/weight and especially battery life - the eTrex 30x is spec'ed at 25 hours and the GPSMap 64s only gets 16.
So I don't think you can compare them solely on the basis of price or feature set.