Connecting the GPS to the PC
At present this page only explains how to connect a Magellan SporTrack to a Windows XP PC.
Hopefully this may be some help for users of other configurations too.
If you are able to add information about different setups please send me the instructions you used.
Configuring the PC
Your PC needs to send the data through the serial port. You need to ensure this is set to match the communications requirements of the SporTrack and the GPS software.
Instructions will differ with operating systems, this is how to set it correctly under Windows XP
Start>Control Panel>System>Hardware>DeviceManager>Ports (COM & LPT)>Communications Port (COM1)>Port Settings>
- Bits per Second: 4800 (this is the default setting on Magellan SporTrack, you can try using higher speed if you like but be sure to set both PC software and GPS to the same speed)
- Data Bits: 8
- Parity: None
- Stop Bits: 1
- Flow Control: None
The PC to GPS connecting cable
You will need a cable to connect the GPS to the PC. The best way to get one is at time of original purchase, otherwise try the same dealer.
Serial - Most likely you will need a serial cable, you may be able to get a USB cable or a USB to Serial converter.
USB - A USB connection offers the benefit of being able to provide electrical power (drawn from the PC) to the GPS and also runs much faster that a serial connection. Few GPS' offer this feature (yet). USB to serial converters do not offer those two advantages.
Bluetooth - Some GPS' offer Bluetooth, this is a very short range wireless technology, you will need a Bluetooth card in your PC.
Infra Red - Many portable PCs offer an IR connection, not sure if any GPS' do though. IR connection works like the serial connection but without a wire.
DIY cables
Frankly the best advice is "don't". The manufacturers do tend to charge about 10 times the underlying cost of the cables but still it's not an awful lot and you are buying peace of mind. Cables bundled with the device at point of sale are usually cheaper. With DIY cables you run the chance of a mistake, possibly damaging either PC or GPS.
The GPS connections tend to use proprietary or at least uncommon plugs. Some manufacturers offer a plug on a wire with no plug on the other end, this is only useful if you need to connect using an unusual connector at the non-GPS end (maybe a PDA). Most manufacturers offer a plug terminated with a standard PC 9 Pin female D-type serial connector. 9 pin to 25 pin D-type converters are readily available in stores like Maplin if you want to ue a PC with the older 25 pin D-type port.
The Magellan Sportrack has a proprietary connection. The "plug" is made up of 4 springed metal strips which press against 4 small metal disks on the back of the device and is held secure with a captive bolt. I guess Magellan implemented this type of connection rather than a more conventional plug & socket in order to make the unit waterproof. It makes it difficult to construct a DIY cable but if you want to try [AT YOUR OWN RISK] ...
You need a 4 wire cable, a D-type 9 pin plug (female) for the PC end of the cable.
You will have to devise your own connection plate to the back of the GPS but this is how the cable needs to be constructed:
Looking at the back of the Sportrack there are 4 metal disks. I will number these as follows:
- : Top Left
- : Top Right
- : Bottom Left
- : Bottom Right
The 9 pin plug will probably have the holes numbered - for those with good eyesight!
Viewed from the inside of the plug (i.e. where the cable is soldered to the back of the pins) with the row of 5 pins at the top the pins are numbered 1-5 left to right and the bottom row 6-9 left to right.
Connect as follows:
| 9-Pin | GPS |
| 5 | 2 (Ground) |  |
| 3 | 3 (Transmit data) |
| 2 | 4 (Receive data) |
| 
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