Help with Garmin Foretrex 201

spirit_of_will · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 30, 2008 Posts: 1

Hi All - just found this site after googling for help with my Foretrex 201.

I use the 201 mainly for windsurfing (GPS Speedsailing), running and mountain biking.

One of the main things that I wanted to do was to be able to download the tracks and add them to the GPS Speedsailing windsurfing speed rankings.

My main (first of many no doubt) question is related to the cable that comes in the box to hook the 201 up to a PC. The 9-pin connector doesn't match up with any of the ports on either my desktop or laptop.

Is there a specific adapter that I should use? I can't seem to find any USB cables that would fit the 201's tiny socket... Not terribly keen on getting it wrong and frying either the GPS or my PC!!!

Grateful for any help...

Thanks!

Will

Prodnose · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 28, 2005 Posts: 42

Hi,
Don't have a Foretrex 201 but looking at the manual indicates that it only a RS232 serial connection. Your mention of a the 9 pin plug confirms this. RS232 serial connections was routinely supplied with older PCs but now are rare. I have both a desktop and portable and neither has one. The solution is to use a USB to serial converter. In the case of the portable, a PCMCIA card with serial output may be use instead.
I own both types.
The USB/serial is a Bandridge - www.bandridge.nl - The model I use seems to have been discontinued but the BCP5002 seem to fit the bill.
The PCMCIA card is supplied by Quatech - www.quatech.com - I use the SSP-100 which is still listed on their website.
These a not the only suppliers and I have not researched the best, just made a choice and they work. It's worth searching this site for other recommendations.
Finally, if you look for second hand devices, make sure that you get the appropriate drivers.
Harry

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