Magellan Explorist 500™ FAQ: Tracking

Magellan Explorist 500™ FAQ: Tracking
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Magellan Explorist 500™ FAQ: Tracking

Tracking refers to the GPS sending successive position reports to another device, typically a computer and usually a computer running some kind of moving map software such as Microsoft Streets & Trips every few seconds.

1. Tracking

1. What is realtime tracking?
2. How do I configure the Magellan Explorist 500™ for realtime tracking?
3. How do I configure my computer for realtime tracking?
4. I have software that wants "NMEA". Can Magellan Explorist 500™ deliver that?
5. I'm using Microsoft Vista and the drivers that came with my Magellan Explorist 500™ don't work for realtime tracking.

1. Tracking
1. What is realtime tracking? 2. How do I configure the Magellan Explorist 500™ for realtime tracking? 3. How do I configure my computer for realtime tracking? 4. I have software that wants "NMEA". Can Magellan Explorist 500™ deliver that? 5. I'm using Microsoft Vista and the drivers that came with my Magellan Explorist 500™ don't work for realtime tracking.
1.	What is realtime tracking?
	Realtime tracking is combining the use of a host computer (sometimes even a PDA) and having the Magellan Explorist 500™ report the current position every few seconds to the software running on the computer. It is typically used to display a current position on a map. This feature is used by software such as Google Earth, Microsoft Streets & Trips, and some Delorme titles.
2.	How do I configure the Magellan Explorist 500™ for realtime tracking?
	When you attach the GPS to your computer, choose 'NMEA Datg' comm. For almost all programs, answer "V2.1 GSA" to the next screen. The unit now reports position every second or two.
3.	How do I configure my computer for realtime tracking?
	Software on the computer must recognize the device and present it as a virtual serial port to the application. At a technical level, the Magellan Explorist 500™ presents itself as an CDC/ACM device. How does that work on popular OSes? Mac OS X: It just works. The system will create device names like /dev/ttyusbmodemfd1311 and /dev/cu.usbmodemfd1311 but you will almost never need to know that. Linux: It usually just works. You may have to modprobe cdc-acm. The device will be announced in the system log visible in dmesg when it's found. Device nodes like /dev/ttyACM0 or /dev/ttyUSB0 will be created for you. Windows: you will have to install the driver that came with your Magellan Explorist 500™. You will hear the familiar "ding dong" when it successfully attaches. The driver will create a COM port for you, but will not tell you where it is. If you need to know which one it is, start control panel. Choose system->hardware->device manager. You should see the device listed there once your driver is installed It will be "COM" followed by a number.
4.	I have software that wants "NMEA". Can Magellan Explorist 500™ deliver that?
	'NMEA' can be selected from the 'communications' menu. When NMEA is selected, the host operating system will detect a virtual modem and create a serial port to go with that. NMEA sentences will then show up on that serial port every few seconds.
5.	I'm using Microsoft Vista and the drivers that came with my Magellan Explorist 500™ don't work for realtime tracking.
	The drivers that originally shipped with Magellan Explorist 500™ didn't support Microsoft Vista. Magellan does now provide Vista drivers for NMEA on Magellan Explorist 500™ for download.

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