interfacing gps to losmondy gemini level 4

[peter nation]

I am looking at interfacing a hand held gps unit to my recently purchased losmondy gemini level 4 mount, would appreciate any suggestions or comments from other users.

[JohnG (John)]

Hi

The answer is yes:

You can get a StarGPS which will attach directly to the RS232 port of your Gemini, on startup, the Gemini will query the GPS and download the UTC time and your Lat and Long. I use one of these.

http://www.stargps.ca/

Or Losmandy's new GPS for Gemini.

http://www.losmandy.com/whatsnew.html

You can use your own GPS with a serial connector to your computer and use a program called Gemini Control Center (GCC) to upload the co-ordinates. It is also a good program for controlling your Gemini without using the Hand Controller.

http://www.docgoerlich.com/GCC/

You can make up your own connector, I believe the pinout is in the Gemini Manual, so long as your GPS can talk to your Gemini with the correct protocols.

Failing all that, you can manually input your Lat and Long, just make sure you use the correct format.

Cheers

[netwolf]

Apoman has this setup, I have seen it used and it works. He uses a Etrex Garmin hand held gps and its connected directly to his Gemini system. Its just a matter of getting the right cable to interconnect. If you have a cable to connect to the PC that may work, but it may need a null modem adapter in the middle.

Regards
Fahim

[peter nation]

Originally Posted by netwolf

Apoman has this setup, I have seen it used and it works. He uses a Etrex Garmin hand held gps and its connected directly to his Gemini system. Its just a matter of getting the right cable to interconnect. If you have a cable to connect to the PC that may work, but it may need a null modem adapter in the middle.

Regards
Fahim

thanks netwolf for this information, going along the lines of what I was thinking, much appreciated.

[peter nation]

Originally Posted by JohnG

Hi

The answer is yes:

You can get a StarGPS which will attach directly to the RS232 port of your Gemini, on startup, the Gemini will query the GPS and download the UTC time and your Lat and Long. I use one of these.

http://www.stargps.ca/

Or Losmandy's new GPS for Gemini.

http://www.losmandy.com/whatsnew.html

You can use your own GPS with a serial connector to your computer and use a program called Gemini Control Center (GCC) to upload the co-ordinates. It is also a good program for controlling your Gemini without using the Hand Controller.

http://www.docgoerlich.com/GCC/

You can make up your own connector, I believe the pinout is in the Gemini Manual, so long as your GPS can talk to your Gemini with the correct protocols.

Failing all that, you can manually input your Lat and Long, just make sure you use the correct format.

Cheers

Thanks for the response JohnG the web links were most useful, I have decided to use a Garmin GPS as I can also take it hiking etc.

[gbeal]

I don't have a Losmandy, but used a friends one a couple of times a few months back. It had the Gemini level 4 system, and a Garmin ETrex unit, which plugged directly into the control box. It seemed to work without any fuss at all.

[peter nation]

We have purchased a Garmin 60csx was it a standard cable your friend used to plug in or did he modify it?