click here for frames page

Cheap GPS - PC connection

Several older Garmin GPS receivers do not include a cable.  The official Garmin cable is about $40.  There are cheaper options, such as www.pfranc.com.  However, it is relatively easy to connect a Garmin GPS with the round plug such as the GPS 12, II, III, and 72 for $2 worth of parts at an electronics store such as Radio Shack.  The part from Radio Shack is 276-1428, 9-Position Female D-Sub Connector.  You can enter this part number at www.radioshack.com to see better what it is.  You will need 3 wires about 1 foot long.  Strip about 3/8 inches off of each end and crimp the metal fittings onto each end of each wire.  The holes of the connector are numbered, you will need to stuff the metal ends into the housing.  The wires should connect to the GPS as follows:  pin 2 – receive (T on the GPS), pin 3 – transmit (R on the GPS), and pin 5 ground (- on the GPS).  You will want to somehow mark the wires for future references.  The tulip shaped fittings on the loose ends should clip onto the pins on the GPS.

 The source for this information as well as information on other Garmin connector types is:  http://www.garmin.com/support/faqs/faq.jsp?faq=68). 

If you just need to occasionally update the software, waypoints, or database this solution should work.  Beware that there is the possibility that you could damage your computer and the GPS.  However, the risk is relatively low.  I personally would not risk an expensive GPS such as a Garmin 196, but it comes with a cable anyway.  I initially connected the transmit and receive wires backwards.  It didn’t work until I switched the wires, but it didn’t harm the GPS or the computer.