Gemini usb gps connection.

[mill (Martin)]

I just found a handy utility (program) for free that will redirect the gps stream from a lappy usb gps receiver to the gemini 1234 and G 2.

Here is the description:

Using a Bluetooth or USB connected GPS Receiver
A Bluetooth or USB connected GPS receiver can be used along with a Windows laptop to forward data from the GPS to your telescope as described below:

1. Download the Redirect utility program from http://www.stargps.ca/pub/redirect.exe
2. Make sure the telescope is turned off.
3. Turn on the Bluetooth GPS or plug the USB GPS into the laptop.
4. Connect the Autostar to the laptop (using a PC-ASTAR or Meade 505 cable).
5. Run redirect.exe
6. Select the GPS COM port and baud rate (likely 4800 baud).
7. Select the Autostar COM port and baud rate (9600 baud).
8. Press "Connect" and you should see GPS data being displayed, something like:
   $GPGSA,A,3,11,09,20,17,,,,,,,,,3.6, 2.6,2.5*39
   $GPGSV,3,1,09,17,86,292,33,07,71,25 7,00,28,54,115,00,24,53,141,00*78
   $GPGSV,3,2,09,09,29,309,36,11,24,05 1,40,04,23,186,00,20,14,090,34*79
   $GPGSV,3,3,09,08,12,171,00*4C
   $GPRMC,171100.456,A,4952.8654,N,097 17.0897,W,0.19,21.00,120106,,*24
9. Turn on the telescope (the Autostar will output an "X").
10. Watch the Autostar as it displays the incoming GPS data and wait until it beeps, indicating that the GPS satellite fix has been obtained.
11. Press "Exit" to disconnect and exit from redirect.exe
12. Continue as usual with AutoStarSuite or any planetarium program.

Just ignore the Autostar reference and replace it with Gemini.
Just be sure to use the serial port 1 on the Gemini 2 or it won't work, also it won't work via the G2 usb connection or lan connection.

I have tested this on the G2 and it works very well
So no expensive losmandy gps is needed because there are plenty cheap usb gps units for sale everywhere.
The only thing the gps unit has to output is an NMEA stream.
That is all folks and happy GPSing.

[TrevorW]

Thanks Marty will give it a try