Connecting a Geko to a non-serial port PC

Oz Digger · Post by **Oz Digger** » 14 December 05 1:41 am

Hi, I have recently bought my first laptop. Since my desktop is a bit of a clunker I find that I use my laptop for most things now. I have been attaching my Garmin Geko 201 to my desk-top via a serial port. My laptop does not have a serial port. Is it simply a case of buying a USB to serial converter or is it a little more complicated than that? Thanks

Suitman · Post by **Suitman** » 14 December 05 7:48 am

Yes. I run my Gecko 201 to my serial-port-less laptop via a serial to USB converter and it works faultlessly.

Aushiker · Post by **Aushiker** » 14 December 05 11:39 am

Suitman wrote:Yes. I run my Gecko 201 to my serial-port-less laptop via a serial to USB converter and it works faultlessly.

Same here with my Geko 301.

Andrew

Mr Router · Post by **Mr Router** » 14 December 05 3:57 pm

Oz Digger wrote: My laptop does not have a serial port. Is it simply a case of buying a USB to serial converter or is it a little more complicated than that? Thanks

You will probably have to load a driver off a CD but hey things dont get to much harder

Oz Digger · Post by **Oz Digger** » 14 December 05 7:58 pm

Thanks for the advice guys. I was passing a computer shop today and decided to pop in and ask how much a converter would cost. I was flabbergasted when the reply was $40...

I think the one for $17 (inc postage) from Hong Kong on eBay will do just as well.

dajjct · Post by **dajjct** » 15 December 05 8:40 am

I think the one for $17 (inc postage) from Hong Kong on eBay will do just as well.

<P>
Don't bet on it - bought one of those and had no luck getting it to work. Bought one from http://www.dontronics.com/index.html, nearly $60, but works every time. No hassle to install and Aussie bassed.

Aushiker · Post by **Aushiker** » 15 December 05 12:33 pm

Oz Digger wrote:Thanks for the advice guys. I was passing a computer shop today and decided to pop in and ask how much a converter would cost. I was flabbergasted when the reply was $40... I think the one for $17 (inc postage) from Hong Kong on eBay will do just as well.

Try Dick Smith or Jaycar ...

Andrew

Mr Router · Post by **Mr Router** » 15 December 05 4:33 pm

Oz Digger wrote:Thanks for the advice guys. I was passing a computer shop today and decided to pop in and ask how much a converter would cost. I was flabbergasted when the reply was $40... I think the one for $17 (inc postage) from Hong Kong on eBay will do just as well.

Average price is around 35-45 anymore and you are being done! dont trust the cheapies

Oz Digger · Post by **Oz Digger** » 25 January 06 1:39 pm

Just a bit of an update on this subject. I was recently in Malaysia and picked up a usb to serial converter for less than $18. So far it has performed faultlessly. I will be travelling to and from Malaysia regularly this year so if anybody would like one let me know.

riblit · Post by **riblit** » 25 January 06 8:15 pm

If anyone is interested I have one that sells for $25.00.
I use two of them, one for my laptop and one to connect my GPS to ozi on the desktop machine ( I use the serial ports for other things).

Geocaching Australia

Connecting a Geko to a non-serial port PC

Connecting a Geko to a non-serial port PC

Re: Connecting a Geko to a non-serial port PC