Tracking
TR1.) What data transfer protocols does the Colorado support?
The Colorado supports NMEA IN/OUT, Garmin Serial and Text Out. Since the Colorado does support a serial interface directly all of these protocols require purchasing a special USB to serial cable
.In addition, Garmin Spanner (aka Garmin PVT) is supported interface over a USB cable
.The following NMEA details are available from the Garmin web site:
| Question: What NMEA sentences does the Colorado series units output? |
| Answer: |
| The Colorado outputs the following sentences by default: GPRMC, GPRMB, GPGGA, GPGLL, GPBOD, GPBWC, GPVTG, GPXTE, PGRME, PGRMZ, PGRMM, HCHDG The sentence configuration is under Setup->System->Options->Advanced NMEA Setup. Autopilot Mode enables only these sentences: GPRMC, GPRMB, GPAPB, GPBWC, GPXTE Under the NMEA Sentences you can toggle three groups on/off: Status toggles GPGSA and GPGSV Wpts/Route toggles GPRTE and GPWPL GRMN Proprietary toggles PGRME, PGRMM, and PGRMZ For details on the Garmin proprietary sentences, I would point you to the specification at https://www.garmin.com/support/commProtocol.html With regards to the pin outs, the powered wire harness will contain a wiring diagram. As for the 010-10572-00 (Rino serial cable), the DB9 connector is wired with a standard RS-232 pin out. |
A user on the Oregon wiki has reported that the 010-10572-00 part works with the Oregon and does support serial NMEA, I'm assuming that this will also work on the Colorado.
TR2.) What is Spanner? Does Spanner work with the Colorado?
Spanner is a PC-based software application provided by Garmin that converts Garmin PVT to NMEA sentences over a virtual COM port. This allows tracking programs that only support NMEA to communicate with a GPS that only supports PVT.
Follow these steps in order to use Spanner with the Colorado:
- Set Setup->System->Interface to Garmin Spanner on the Colorado
- Connect your Colorado to your PC
- When asked if you want to put the Colorado into USB Storage mode answer "No".
- Start Spanner on your PC and it should recognize your Colorado as an attached USB GPS.
- Spanner creates a virtual COM port which should be visible to an NMEA tracking application.
TR3.) Can I use tracking application which uses native Garmin PVT?
Yes. Programs like nRoute, Ozi, Global Explorer and Google Earth w/GPS talk PVT and should work with the Colorado as long as you set Setup->System->Interface to Garmin Spanner.
TR4.) What is the file [drive]:\Garmin\GPX\Current\Position.gpx?
This file contains a single waypoint which is the position of Colorado when it went into USB drive mode. It does not get updated dynamically.
