#Garmin homeport nmea devices install#
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In my case it's done wirelessly via Bluetooth. It's too late for me to dig them up now.īy the way, OpenCPN can run my Autohelm in track mode. There's a whole lot of discussion of this over on the OpenCPN forum - and a few threads that I've posted here.

Some of them have internal GPS, so you might not need to run Spanner. Much lighter, better form factor, and tapping icons on a touchscreen is much nicer than moving a mouse cursor with a trackpad. If you're buying new, I'd suggest a Win8 tablet. If you have a leftover XP laptop that you want to repurpose, that's fine. I still use the Oregon to record my tracks, and as a wet weather backup. I like it so much that I installed it on a tablet that I mounted in my cockpit as my primary chartplotter. It has really advanced in features, and will be launching version 4.0 in a week or so. If you're trying out free PC software, I'd recommend also trying OpenCPN in addition to PolarView.

#Garmin homeport nmea devices software#

Give yourself a couple hours to figure it out, because the user interface of all Garmin's PC software really sucks. I bought HomePort to do this, but I believe that their free BaseCamp software will do it also. You need to load it into Garmin PC software and use their software to put it in the device. However, it's not as simple as just copying the. I've done this with OpenCPN, and if Polar products will save in. It's much nicer to plot on the computer and transfer to the handheld for use on the boat. I never liked plotting routes on the Oregon - it's just too small. However, be careful with it around the water, because I believe that it does NOT float. Definitely a good next-generation follow-up to the Oregon, with bigger screen and better daylight viewability. I looked a little closer at the Montana specs, and that's a REALLY NICE handheld. I am glad that it's working well for you. I'd pay money for an extra GPS puck before paying money for software that might break with the next Windows release. The GlobalSat BU-353 is very popular, and can be found for about $20 if you shop around. If you can't get either of these to work, you can find dedicated GPS pucks with their own software that will do this independently of your Montana. Spanner: Garmin: Spanner Updates & Downloads If you can't get Spanner to install, try GPSgate and let the rest of us know how it works. If your computer runs XP, you'll be in great shape. I'd recommend trying to get Spanner to install. It's been so long since I tried it that I don't remember how it works - I used Spanner under XP instead.

#Garmin homeport nmea devices full#

For Windows7 and later, Garmin recommends GPSgate, which has a free version that's somewhat crippled, and requires payment for full functionality.

#Garmin homeport nmea devices install#

You might get it to install on 32-bit versions of Windows7, but I have not tried it on anything other than XP. Only problem is that Spanner is not formally supported for Windows7 or later. The Spanner software creates a virtual COM port to output the data, and you set Polar up to receive the data on that COM port. The best free software for this is Garmin's Spanner, which you install on your PC, and then put your Montana into 'Spanner' interface mode.

#Garmin homeport nmea devices serial#

The best way to overcome this is with PC software that runs in the background and takes in the USB feed and redirects it to a virtual serial port. The issue is that most programs (Polar, OpenCPN, and other computer software) expect to see NMEA, which is a serial protocol (COM port), but the Oregon/Montana output on USB exclusively. I have the Garmin Oregon, which is very similar to your Montana. Garmin Chartplotters and model 478 are totally different devices from your Montana, so their advice is not really relevant to you.

The Montana can make a great USB puck for your PC, with excellent sensitivity and accuracy. Main Menu Features and Settings.You can do exactly what you want. Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Mac is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. NMEA is a registered trademark of the National Marine Electronics Association. These trademarks may not be used without the express permission of Garmin. Garmin Connect™, Garmin Express™,Īnd HomePort™ are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries, registered in the USA and other countries. Garmin and the Garmin logo are trademarks of Garmin Ltd.

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#Garmin homeport nmea devices manual#

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