tomtom Bluetooth GPS and PC

sbcco · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:10 am Post subject: tomtom Bluetooth GPS and PC

I've recently boughthe new tomtom Bluetooth GPS unit to use with the viaMichelin Navigator 3 software on my Tungsten T5. They work great together but, since the viaMichelin maps also run on my PC, I'm trying to get the tomtom GPS to talk to my laptop (Win XP Pro SR2). I can get a Bluetooth connection and a COM port set up but the maps don't see the GPS.

I've asked tomtom who say their latest GPS unit is not compatible with PCs. It seems rather strange to limit its use in this way. Has anyone yet found a work around - perhaps a driver from another manufacturer using the same base chip?

Steve
Aberdeen, Scotland
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lbendlin · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 8:58 pm Post subject:

They are lying, uhm, they are not completely informed. Your receiver will work fine with the PC (any receiver will) but it may get a COM port assigned that's too high for the program you try to use. On my machine for example the port is COM37: (Win XP SP2 BT stack) and that's way beyond the normal list of COM0 to COM10 that most older programs offer.

One solution is to use the Broadcom BT stack instead which allows you to specify which COM port should be asigned.
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Lutz

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TomTom/TeleAtlas NAVTEQ

sbcco · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 3:53 pm Post subject:

My laptop recognises the GPS OK - pairs up and reports COM4 and COM9 (one incoming and one outgoing). COM4 is also the port my Motorola phone uses when I dial out through it.

The viaMichelin software allows me to set a port and baud rate but , irrespective of the rate I set it to, or the COM port, it does find a GPS at the end. Michelin just say to speak to the GPS supplier (they did give me a contact at their GPS supplier (Kirrio) but they wouldn't help me connect a rival's GPS - not unreasonable, but neither does it make me likely to go to them when I next need a GPS).
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Steve @ Aberdeen
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lbendlin · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:29 pm Post subject:

use the outgoing port (COM 9) and set the speed to 38400. Make sure your receiver sends NMEA. If not, try to configure it with SiRFDemo
_________________
Lutz

Report Map Errors here:
TomTom/TeleAtlas NAVTEQ

sbcco · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 6:13 pm Post subject:

The outgoing port is COM4 (which doubles up with the phone modem). However, even at 38400 the map reports no GPS. I know the GPS is talking to the PC because it powers off after a minute or so with no connection (and it is staying on). However, the map can't read it.

As far as protocol, the tomtom GPS has no setting options. AFAIK it uses NMEA and SiRF III - it speaks fine with my T5 with both viaMichelin Navigator and the latest Cetus beta.

Everything tells me it should work - it just doesn't! Infuriating, ain't it?

Thanks for replying.
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Steve @ Aberdeen
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