This page covers the various ways a Magellan GPS can connect to a PC and how to configure the GPS and OziExplorer.
Links to Sections
Configuring OziExplorer to use a Magellan GPS Connecting by a Serial port
Configuring OziExplorer to use a Magellan GPS Connecting by a USB Port (Magellan USB GPS) (Explorist and other models)
Configuring a Magellan Explorist for use by OziExplorer
Notes
OziExplorer cannot send maps to any Magellan GPS, the type of maps OziExplorer uses are not in the correct format required by a GPS.
A Serial Port is also known as a Com Port and both names are used throughout this document.
Types of Connections Used by Magellan GPS
Connect to PC using a Serial port - These models have upload/download capabilities and can output NMEA data.
Connect to PC using a USB port (Explorist and other models) - These models have 2 connection modes which are set within the GPS.
USB File transfer Mode - The GPS connects to the PC as a Disk Drive and data files can be read and written to the drive.
NMEA Data Comm Mode - The GPS creates a new Serial Port on the PC and connects to the PC as a Modem on the Serial Port. NMEA data is transmitted through the serial port.
If you are using a Magellan USB GPS in File Transfer Mode then it connects to a USB port.
If you are using a Magellan GPS which connects to a Serial Port or a Magellan GPS in NMEA Data Comm Mode then there are other options.
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If you are connecting to a standard Serial port (pictured left) then it is most likely Com Port 1 or 2 and may be labeled on the PC. |
If you are using a USB to Serial Port adapter then it will create a new Serial Port.
The Com Port number of these Serial Ports is not always known or obvious. Here are a couple of methods to determine
You can use the Devices section of the System Shortcut in the Windows Control Panel to see what Com ports are available.
You can use our GpsPortChecker program to see if it can find your GPS.
Configuring OziExplorer to use a Magellan GPS
Connecting by a Serial port
(this also includes
connecting through a USB to Serial Port adapter)
Settings for the Upload/Download of Waypoints, Routes and Tracks and Moving Map
Please double check all settings - do not assume they are correct.
GPS Configuration (done within the GPS)
For Moving Map operation the GPS must be configured to output NMEA data. This is done by using the GPS menu system. If you are presented with various NMEA options the one to choose is V2.1 GSA.
OziExplorer Configuration (done within the OziExplorer software)
- On the File menu choose the Configuration option, this will open the configuration dialog.
- Select the GPS tab.
- Select the GPS Make as Magellan
- Select the GPS Model to match the model of Magellan GPS you have. If you model is not listed then select the "Other Magellans" setting. The GPS parameters can be adjusted to match the specifications for the model of GPS (refer to the GPS manual for this).
- Set the GPS Upload/Download Datum to WGS 84, Magellans always do upload/download of positions in the WGS 84 datum regardless of what datum the GPS is set to.
- Set the GPS NMEA Output Datum to the same datum the GPS is set to, Magellans always output the positions in NMEA data in the datum the GPS is set to.
- Select the COM tab on the Configuration dialog.
- Set the Com Port number that you have connected the GPS to.
- Set the Parity to None.
- Set the Stop Bits to 1
- Set the Upload/Download Baud Rate to match the Baud rate setting you have in the GPS.
- Set the NMEA Baud Rate to the same as the Upload/Download Baud Rate.
- The Garmin USB Checkbox is ignored.
- The Use PVT for Garmin instead of NMEA Checkbox is ignored.
- The Serial Port Driver should be set to Driver 2 (this is the default)
- Auto Pilot Output can be ignored.
Configuring OziExplorer to use a Magellan GPS Connecting by a USB Port (Magellan USB GPS) (Explorist and other models)
If you are using a USB to Serial Port adapter to connect your GPS you must have a serial port GPS so refer to the section "Magellan GPS connecting through a serial port".
Settings for the Upload/Download of Waypoints, Routes and Tracks - GPS must be set to File Transfer Mode
Please double check all settings - do not assume they are correct.
OziExplorer Configuration (done within the OziExplorer software)
- On the File menu choose the Configuration option, this will open the configuration dialog.
- Select the GPS tab.
- Select the GPS Make as Magellan
- Select the GPS Model as Magellan USB. The GPS parameters can be adjusted to match the specifications for the model of GPS (refer to the GPS manual for this).
- Set the GPS Upload/Download Datum to WGS 84.
- Select the COM tab on the Configuration dialog.
- All parameters on the COM tab are ignored.
OziExplorer Configuration for Moving Map - GPS must be set to NMEA Data Comm Mode
Please double check all settings - do not assume they are correct.
GPS Configuration (done within the GPS)
The NMEA option to choose is V2.1 GSA.
OziExplorer Configuration (done within the OziExplorer software)
- On the File menu choose the Configuration option, this will open the configuration dialog.
- Select the GPS tab.
- Select the GPS Make as Magellan
- Select the GPS Model as Magellan USB. The GPS parameters can be adjusted to match the specifications for the model of GPS (refer to the GPS manual for this).
- Set the GPS Upload/Download Datum to WGS 84.
- Select the COM tab on the Configuration dialog.
- Set the Com Port number. (It will be configured as a modem in Windows - try COM3 but it may be different on your PC)
- Set the Parity to None.
- Set the Stop Bits to 1
- Set the NMEA Baud Rate to 115200.
- The Use PVT for Garmin instead of NMEA Checkbox is ignored.
- The Serial Port Driver should be set to Driver 2 (this is the default)
- Auto Pilot Output settings can be ignored.
Configuring a Magellan Explorist for use by OziExplorer
For the Explorist and OziExplorer to communicate the correct communication mode must be specified in the Explorist, this is done by using the Communications Menu.
To get to the Communication Menu press the Menu button, select the Adv. Features option, select the Communications option
A new menu appears which has the following options.
File Transfer
Used for transferring data between the PC and the Explorist. The Explorist is seen as a disk drive by the PC. OziExplorer requires this mode for transferring waypoints and tracks.
NMEA Data Comm
To use NMEA Data Comm mode a driver must be installed on the PC, the driver is provided on the CD provided with the Explorist. The supplied driver may not work with Vista but a Vista driver is available on the Magellan web site.
The Explorist outputs NMEA data. OziExplorer requires this mode for moving map (real time tracking).
After selecting NMEA Data Comm the NMEA must be selected, always select "V2.1 GSA".
The driver sets up a modem on the PC which is attached to a com port. It is this com port which must be used in OziExplorer configuration as the Com Port number.
The comm port number can be found by looking at modems in the System devices
Use the PC Start menu to open the Control Pane, click on the System icon then the Hardware tab, then the Device Manager Button.
This opens the hardware list.
Double click on Modems, this opens the modem properties, select the Advanced tab, click on Advanced Port Settings button, the Com Port Number is at the bottom.
Power Only
No communication with the PC, all it does is provde power for the Explorist.