GPSMap 76Cx Computer Interface????

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Feb 13th, '11, 12:19

Good Morning and remember Gentlemen What tomorrow Brings!!!!!!!!!

Now, I may be getting senile, but I recently opened a New (yet discontinued) GPSMap 76Cx. In the box there were the usual "stuff" to include a "Bonus Cable". Well that was a mini-USB and a normal USB cable. I thought (or I dreamed it) that there was a "round 4 pin" to a USB" power/data cable in there as well.

I have search the house over and the Garmin web site and I don't see such a beast. I see the round plug to "serial 232 cable listed everywhere and I see the "round 4 pin" to "bare wire" so you make your own power/data cable, but I now I wasn't dreaming about this because I even noted to my self "WOW thats cool. I already have the "round 4 pin" to a serial plug from an older GPSMap 76 and now I have the "round 4 pin" to USB plug to! Great!"

For the life of me I cannot find that "round 4 pin" to USB cable nor find one on the Web.

Does any of the esteemed readers of the Board have or know of such a beast? OR was I just dreaming? OR (and I am inclined to go with this one) has the Admiral struck again and 'HIDDEN IT FROM ME"?

TIA and only in Oklahoma can it set hither to un-recorded low temps on Thursday morning (-38Â° to -1Â° at the home port) and today is forecast for 70Â° with SW winds 10-12. I'm going sailing (assuming I can get the ole iron gennie started).

Fair winds and I am looking forward to my visit with the Chesapeake gang next weekend.

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Feb 13th, '11, 13:15

Bill,

Unless they redesigned the 76Map Cx, you will require a round four-pin interface for your CPS unit. I would suggest contacting Garmin, as their customer service is very good.

Even though the 76 line has been discontinued, you will probably get a good response.

Good luck.

--Joe

Andy Denmark · Post by **Andy Denmark** » Feb 13th, '11, 15:37

I have a spare or two and I'll be happy to give one away. Have not yet decided to go to Groundhog Day thing but if you plan to be there this cable might give me a little incentive to attend (although it's a 6 hr drive).

Otherwise, send me your mailing address via email or PM and I'll get it out to ya'.

Rethink here -- are you talking about one with a serial connector or USB?

Andy

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Feb 13th, '11, 18:53

Thanks Joe and Andy

Andy I'll be there Saturday AM. I am looking for the Garmin round 4 pin to USB cable if such a critter exists.

Joe I have looked on their web site to no avail. I'll give 'em a call.

Fair winds and hope to see many of the Chesapeake brethren in Solomons on Saturday

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Feb 13th, '11, 19:26

Bill,

They usually had a bunch of Garmin-to-computer cables in stock at West Marine. Both of my units are old enough that they came with serial-port-to-round-four-pin cables, but I was able to order a conversion cable from Garmin.

It was more expensive than a generic serial-to-USB conversion cable, but the no-brand cable I ordered from the 'net didn't work.

There's a thread about this on the board: Rich Abato was able to get a generic converter that worked.

Once again, good luck. It looks like Andy will be able to help you.

The snowpack is receding, very, very, very slowly.

--Joe

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Feb 13th, '11, 19:34

Well we tried to go for a sail today. It was 70Â° today and there was still ice in the Marina. Couldn't get out but is sure was pretty!

I'm telling ya, spring is nigh.....

Andy Denmark · Post by **Andy Denmark** » Feb 14th, '11, 06:59

Bill,

The spare cables I have are serial-to-Garmin so will not work for you.

Joe is correct. West does have such a thing (probably pricey). I've gotten fast and reasonably priced help from the Garmin store with stuff like this.

I think the serial-t0-USB cable may work but I'd try one first. (This advice from my computer guru friend - makes sense).

Still on the fence about Solomons but maybe I'll see you there.

Andy

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Feb 14th, '11, 12:32

Bill:

My adapter cable came from Garmin, and cost around $60!

However, Rich Abato found a more reasonably priced source on the Internet. If he is monitoring this thread, he might chime in. Otherwise, you can do a search.

The el-cheapo adapter cable that I found online for under $10 was useless, although I don't understand why it should be, as I was able to use it for other serial-to-USB connections.

Good luck!

--Joe
P.S. It's already 45 degrees, but is supposed to stay below 20 tomorrow. Welcome to Glacier Land!

Joe CD MS 300 · Post by **Joe CD MS 300** » Feb 14th, '11, 12:36

You can discounted Garmin cables at a variety of online vendors. GPSCity.com, tigergps.com, abesof maine.com. are a few I have used over the years for purchases large and small.

John Vigor · Post by **John Vigor** » Feb 14th, '11, 14:04

I waited about three years before I found the courage to tackle this task, but at least Garmin sent me the cables for nothing.

http://johnvigor.blogspot.com/2011/02/waas-at-last.html

Cheers,

John V.

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Feb 14th, '11, 14:26

John,

I own two obsolete Garmin units, the GPS76, which is my backup, and the GPSMap76, which is my primary unit. Both are obsolete, and I had to disable WAAS to get both to work after a satellite update about two years ago.

Do you suppose I could get my WAAS back as well?

If not, I'll have to live with what I've got, which is primarily a supplement to my (shudder!) paper charts.

Best,

--Joe
PS: Illigitimi non carborundum!

John Vigor · Post by **John Vigor** » Feb 14th, '11, 15:03

Joe,

Yes, I should think you could get your WAAS back. It's just a question of downloading the latest corrected software from the Garmin site to your computer, and then connecting your computer to the GPS.

But, of course, for those of us born before electrons were invented, that might not be easy as it sounds. You might need to find a friendly know-all teenager to help you.

Cheers,

John V.

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Feb 14th, '11, 16:54

Well, this is tempting, since I have an even more obsolete unit. Do you guys reckon this would work on my old GPS 45?

John Vigor · Post by **John Vigor** » Feb 14th, '11, 17:42

Duncan, I think you're out of luck. The Garmin site doesn't mention an update for that particular model

Click on here and then on "All updates and downloads"

http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupda ... nstall.jsp

John V.

bottomscraper · Post by **bottomscraper** » Feb 15th, '11, 10:45

However, Rich Abato found a more reasonably priced source on the Internet. If he is monitoring this thread, he might chime in. Otherwise, you can do a search.

Actually I have 2 different ones that work, both were cheap
generic USB to Serial adapters. On is Dynex (Best Buy house
brand but I don't see it online anymore) and the other is an
unknown generic. I suspect all the real bad adapters have
disappeared from the market. I believe most of them available
are all based on the the same chips so brand probably doesn't
really make much difference. Make sure you get the latest drivers
for your operating system. Both that I have were very cheap
like $12. Check Amazon, they have a bunch:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_ ... al+adapter

The Cape Dory Board

GPSMap 76Cx Computer Interface????

GPSMap 76Cx Computer Interface????

Round four-pin is what you want

Bill, don't buy one

GPS Cables and The Groundhog Extravaganza.

Garmin cables

Wrong cable

Search for earlier thread or e-mail Rich Abato

Garmins and cables

I've been WAAS-less, too

Can this be done with a Garmin GPS 45?

Out of luck

Re: Search for earlier thread or e-mail Rich Abato