Is it possible to connect a Garmin 421 to a laptop via the USB port

SOURCE: Garmin GPSMap 60 CSx USB Connection

Actually, I just solved the problem myself...

I went to Garmin's driver download site (http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=591) and got the latest USB driver (2.2.1) for the 60C. (Although, it appears that that driver pertains to all Garmin products, not just the GPSmap series or the 60C.) Installation instructions are pretty much standard for Windows drivers, so it's easy.

That: a) Garmin requires special USB drivers for their product is finicky (most USB-connectable products just connect automatically using Windows' generic USB driver), and b) my unit -- which had always worked just fine, and suddenly stopped connecting out of the blue -- remains a mystery. Nonetheless, a driver upgrade was the final step that I needed. (Although, I also swapped USB cables and upgraded MapSource, too, so maybe it's some combination of those things.)

SOURCE: Garmin Etrex - ORdnance Survey Grid reference nos

You shouldn't have to connect to a computer. I don't have an OS map in front of me but I'm guessing they use UTM with a WGS 84 datum (if the map was produced after 1984 that is). Got to the Setup page then select Units. Change Position Frmt to UTM/UPS and Map Datum to WGS 84.

Dave King

• 1606 Answers
• Posted on Mar 09, 2009

SOURCE: Garmin GPS III Pilot to PC communication problem

If it were doing this just on the Vista machine I would say it was Vista related but since you are getting it from an xp machine as well the problem is either cable or the gps unit. You don;t say if this just started happening or ? If you can try out the cable on something else to make sure so you can eliminate it. About the only thing you can do is to make sure the port settings in the pilot are set correctly. Generally the slower the better if you are having communication problems as this makes the signal timing not as critical. Try 9600 baud to start. Make sure that the data bits are also set roght. This is the 8n1 or 7n1 thing you see. I can;t think of what the default is on the garmin but as long as both pc and garmin have speed, bits, parity, and stop but set the same they should talk.

Try to download from the unit as well as upload.Unfortunetly you can only change the speed and protocal or reset the unit. You won't be able to fix it if is a hardware thing. If you are using a USB to Serial adapter then I would say that is your problem or could be. Cheaper ones just don't work often on higher port speeds. You might want to try the gps on a pc with a actual serial port if you are using one. If it works then you should try a different brand of adapter or really slow down the speeds.

This won;t solve it unless you luck out but it should let you know where the problem is.

Dave

SOURCE: No connection to PC

I had the same problem. The solution was so simple but I tried everything I could imagine before this: Remove cable from pc and garmin. Now.. the secret...FIRST switch on your garmin and then connect it to the cable and to the usb port of yor pc! That was is for me! So simple really but in every manual I read it said just connect it, it didnt say first switch it on!!