REW
02-08-2001, 02:04 PM
I just wanted to mention again to all owners of GPS units that is they don't already have: Obtain the software and the necessary cables to interface to their PC's. Obviously if you are on this web site you have access to a PC>
In most cases, all that is required is the quick installation of a vendors GPS software and the addition of an interface cable to a COM port.
I just had the misfortune of turning on my GPS that had been in storage since last fall - and found that all of the waypoints had been lost. This is a common problem, when the internal Lithium battery goes dead. This will happen to every gps unit that ages past the life of the batteries. Some of the batteries will last 3 years, while others will last as long as 10 years. However, eventually -- all of the units will die -- and when that happens, all of the stored waypoints, icons, and routes will be lost.
Now, as was the case for me -- I simply called Lowrance and received a return authorization number. I slapped on the UPS return shipping sticker that had been supplied with my gps. I also removed my mapping cartridges, and internal batteries. When I received my new unit (typically most of the vendors simply do an exchange on units needing any type of repair -- in the interest of less down time to the customer) - I simply powered up the new unit, connected the gps interface cable to my pc and with one key stroke from the pc and about 2 minutes downloaded the 1000 icons, routes, and waypoints that I have in my pc data base.
This is many times easier and uses many orders of magnitued less time than entering all of the data by hand.
So, if you don't already have the softare and interface cable for your GPS -- I strongly recomeend that you get it.
Once you have it - follow the instructions for configuring the com port in both the gps and on your pc - hook up, download all of your specic data to your pc. Then take a floppy and make a copy of the data that you just copied to your c; drive.
This will allow you to --if necessary -- upload - the data from any pc - desktop or laptop - to yours or any of your friends that have the same brand GPS.
Good luck and look for open water.
Take care
REW
In most cases, all that is required is the quick installation of a vendors GPS software and the addition of an interface cable to a COM port.
I just had the misfortune of turning on my GPS that had been in storage since last fall - and found that all of the waypoints had been lost. This is a common problem, when the internal Lithium battery goes dead. This will happen to every gps unit that ages past the life of the batteries. Some of the batteries will last 3 years, while others will last as long as 10 years. However, eventually -- all of the units will die -- and when that happens, all of the stored waypoints, icons, and routes will be lost.
Now, as was the case for me -- I simply called Lowrance and received a return authorization number. I slapped on the UPS return shipping sticker that had been supplied with my gps. I also removed my mapping cartridges, and internal batteries. When I received my new unit (typically most of the vendors simply do an exchange on units needing any type of repair -- in the interest of less down time to the customer) - I simply powered up the new unit, connected the gps interface cable to my pc and with one key stroke from the pc and about 2 minutes downloaded the 1000 icons, routes, and waypoints that I have in my pc data base.
This is many times easier and uses many orders of magnitued less time than entering all of the data by hand.
So, if you don't already have the softare and interface cable for your GPS -- I strongly recomeend that you get it.
Once you have it - follow the instructions for configuring the com port in both the gps and on your pc - hook up, download all of your specic data to your pc. Then take a floppy and make a copy of the data that you just copied to your c; drive.
This will allow you to --if necessary -- upload - the data from any pc - desktop or laptop - to yours or any of your friends that have the same brand GPS.
Good luck and look for open water.
Take care
REW