Aaarrrggghhh!!! Learning with new Magellan Triton

[north-north-west]

What on Earth have I done?

The Yowies weren't the only piece of new gear to show up last week. There's a lovely shiny new Magellan Triton sitting on the desk next to me, and I'm too paralysed with fear to even turn it on . . .

Stay tuned. There will be many, many questions.

[walkinTas]

For Pete's sake woman, they don't bite.

[north-north-west]

No, but I do, so don't push it.

Why don't they build one that just lights up, assumes you're a cybercretin, and tells you where you are? Something that doesn't need to be set here and adjusted there and programmed elsewhere? Something that I can use without wading through umptydozen hours of eye-crossing techno-jargon?

[photohiker]

That's what mine does. I'll sell it to you if you like

Have you tried reading the manual?

Can't help with the Magellan, never seen one in the flesh...

[north-north-west]

Have you tried reading the manual?

Not being a bloke, that's the first thing I did. Two problems:
a) jargon
b) it doesn't tell me what I want to know. For instance, I can't find anything in there about connecting the GPS to the PC and accessing the data on the SD card.

[walkinTas]

First things first. What operating system do you have on your computer. I don't have a Triton, but I do have a Magellan. I had no trouble with XP or Windows 7, I just ran the installation program on the CD, but I had some fun with Vista.

[Nuts]

In that case forget the manual.... The only thing you need to work out is how to tell it where you are now, that and the using can then be worked out by 'playing' with it. Worked for me (garmin)....

[north-north-west]

First things first. What operating system do you have on your computer. I don't have a Triton, but I do have a Magellan. I had no trouble with XP or Windows 7, I just ran the installation program on the CD, but I had some fun with Vista.

XP. I ran the installation program and I've been going over all the manuals for that as well, but can't find the info I need. It barely mentions anything at all about transfering data. And it won't connect - the screen just says 'waiting for connection' and keeps waiting forever . . .

[photohiker]

And it won't connect - the screen just says 'waiting for connection' and keeps waiting forever . . .

Have you a card reader? Try taking the SD card out of the GPS and putting it in the reader.

[north-north-west]

Yes. Thanks for reminding me - I thought of that at work earlier today and then promptly forgot it.

[BarryJ]

Is there an option on the GPS unit which needs to be accepted to initiate the connection? When I connect my boat GPS to my PC, I have to tell both the PC and the GPS to accept the connection.

[north-north-west]

In that case forget the manual.... The only thing you need to work out is how to tell it where you are now, that and the using can then be worked out by 'playing' with it. Worked for me (garmin)....

Yes, but I have to go outside to get a signal and it's doing a Tassie out there (ie wet and windy). Maybe I should take it to work tomorrow and have a play at lunchtime.

[north-north-west]

Is there an option on the GPS unit which needs to be accepted to initiate the connection? When I connect my boat GPS to my PC, I have to tell both the PC and the GPS to accept the connection.

Probably, but the manual doesn't tell you how to do that.
Cables connected, unit powered up, window gives four options:
Connect to PC
Power only
NMEA - USB
NMEA - Serial

Now, the thing is supplied with a USB 2 cable, but . . .

[Nuts]

we had sun today just when the ark is 2/3rds done....
.............

scrap what i said, I read the other thread (youv'e obviously got past that stage)..

[photohiker]

Cables connected, unit powered up, window gives four options:
Connect to PC
Power only
NMEA - USB
NMEA - Serial

Now, the thing is supplied with a USB 2 cable, but . . .

So select 'Connect to PC'

NMEA is if you want to use it with a GPS app on the PC (like OZI Explorer for moving map)
Power Only will be for using the GPS but picking up the power from the computer.

[north-north-west]

Cables connected, unit powered up, window gives four options:
Connect to PC
Power only
NMEA - USB
NMEA - Serial

Now, the thing is supplied with a USB 2 cable, but . . .

So select 'Connect to PC'

That's what I've tried. And it just sits there saying 'waiting to connect . . .' and chewing up the batteries.

[photohiker]

Hmm. You are not alone. Check this Google Search

Don't know what to suggest. I guess I'd be trying a card reader and fuss around with getting windows to talk to the GPS later. It could take a while by the looks of it

[corvus]

No, but I do, so don't push it.

Why don't they build one that just lights up, assumes you're a cybercretin, and tells you where you are? Something that doesn't need to be set here and adjusted there and programmed elsewhere? Something that I can use without wading through umptydozen hours of eye-crossing techno-jargon?

Hey Scarves,
Red necked misandrist's like you tend to come across as somewhat thickish ,and similar other suspect 4wd Hilux diesel drivers who also seem to have real problems with this simple techie gear,unlike us Forester Drivers who in my area are the most conservative and considerate drivers you will ever experience ,unlike the mud churning track rooting cap back wearing Hi Lux [ hi rise shocks] owners I see on and off the road.
Still you are more to be pitied than scolded and us blokes forgive an old Sheila like you for your fantasies, stick to talkin bout walkin and if needs be printin and not be preachin to us eh
It is actually Corvus " Tassie Forest Raven "not the common Crow

Aplogies to the non Misandrists Hi Luxe Drivers
And indeed all other responsible Hi Luxe Divers

[photohiker]

This Solution looks promising:

Triton - Not Connecting to PC .. VISTA and XP solution.

The problem here is that the COM PORT is usually not working and showing a code -10

1) Hook the GPS to the computer and turn the GPS on. Do not have VantagePoint running.
2) Go to control panel .. device management .. find the PORT COM NUMBER. Look carefully under PROPERTIES and you will find that the device software is showing a code -10 error. [Note: VISTA your device manager may report your connections as OTHER: TRITON.]
3) Go to the driver section and UPDATE THE DRIVER. When you click on update the computer will ask you where the drivers software is located.
4) Choose the drivers from your c:\MagellanDrivers directory.
5) The computer will update your drivers and you will see the PORT COM is now working.
6) Now start VantagePoint and you will see that the GPS receiver is now connected.

Now isn't that a easy solution!!! :---)

NOTE TO MEMBERS: Please be careful here for this solution is geared for a particular problem.

Your problem may be different. This is the solution when you look at the PORT COM in the device manager and find that the COM port is giving you a code -10 ..not working.

JG

[walkinTas]

So select 'Connect to PC
That's what I've tried. And it just sits there saying 'waiting to connect . . .' and chewing up the batteries.

Right choice. Power only mode will draw power of the PC as an external power source (very slow charging option and for using GPS when battery is flat). It draws power in "Connect to PC" so it shouldn't be "chewing up the battery" while connected to the PC. For now you don't need to worry about NMEA mode.

So Connect to PC is good. Nothing much needs to happen on the GPS interface while its connected to the PC. So sorry for asking basic questions, but did you open Windows Explorer to see if the GPS was listed as a new USB drive? (right click start>>explore)

For now, lets stay with the basics and check everything to see if you have a "problem" at all, before trying any "solutions".

You might like to go to the TritonForumand download the Trition 1st use Tutorial.

[Son of a Beach]

Note that I've changed the topic title to be a bit more... err.. on topic.

[Ent]

Content removed by poster

[walkinTas]

For now, lets stay with the basics and check everything to see if you have a "problem" at all, before trying any "solutions".

Sorry scavenger I meant to get back to you quicker, but there is this little thing called work....

Next question - should have asked before... Do you have the VantagePoint application installed?

1. If not, then install this application form the documentation CD that came with your Triton.
2. Turn on your Triton. Select “menu", then select “view", and then select “connectivity".
3. Under connectivity select either “Connect to PC".
4. Connect your Triton to your PC via the provided USB.
5. Use Windows Explorer to see if you have a new USB drive (mine just reports as Remote Device).

Let me know how you go.

[north-north-west]

Sorry for the absence, lads - I used the GPS to find my way to the recycle bins (which are a the top of the driveway) and got lost.
Actually, it does tell me where I am, but knowing you're 48°23.98765432 S 142°98.8746354956E doesn't really help unless you can relate it to a map. And the maps it came with are not much short of absobloodlylutely useless. Apparently the road on which I live doesn't exist. In fact, according to the maps on the card, the nearest road is a good 5km away . . .

walkingTas - Yes, I have VantagePoint installed. That's basically what I did, but the PC never seemed to notice the GPS. If all else fails I'll uninstall and reinstall and see what happens.

photohiker - thanks. That sounds like it might work, I'll give it a go when I have time. It makes sense, anyway.

Brett - yes, I've had that problem with another piece of gear. If photohiker's little tip doesn't pan out I'll try moving things around.

[north-north-west]

If the old man doesn't behave more politely, he'll be told even more directly.

I've been using it on a couple of daywalks, just to see how it goes. Once I can get some decent maps and plan routes it should be good. Although I was a bit worried when it couldn't pick up any satellites last Sunday morning until I was almost at the top of Mt Erica . . .

[corvus]

Curious that you could not pick up satellites because with my simple Etrex Venturte HC I can pick up satellites even indoors but as said before I am no expert and on a steep learning curve so will be interested in what you discover.
corvus

[walkinTas]

Hey Scavenger, how are you going with the Triton 2000? According to Magellan the earlier steps are suppose to install the correct driver, but you must install the vantagepoint before you connect the GPS. If you still can't connect you might like to take a look at this info.

[north-north-west]

Hi again.
I still can't get the PC to recognise the GPS. The COM PORT thing isn't relevant, the device manager doesn't show any error there.

I may uninstall VantagePoint and reinstall and see what happens, and if that doesn't work I'll run screaming my head off to Magellan.

By the way, I know this is probably a dumb question but, when I finally get the connection issue sorted, is there any reason I can't just get VP to use GoogleMaps maps?

And does anyone use rechargeable batteries with their GPS or will it really not work properly with them?

*sigh*
This is all Magellan's fault, you know. When you open the box there's this ruddy big notice right on top insisting that the first thing you do before even turning on the GPS is to install the software and hook everything up. So when you try to do that and it doesn;'t work properly you're left high and dry. They should have just stuffed the thing in a neat plastic cover with the words
DON'T PANIC written on it in large friendly letters . . .

[ILUVSWTAS]

I use rechargables in my GPS no problem!!

[johnw]

And does anyone use rechargeable batteries with their GPS or will it really not work properly with them?

I've often used NiMH rechargeables in my yellow Garmin Etrex. Agree with ILUVSWTAS, no problems but...the battery indicator will read incorrectly, ie less than fully charged. I think this may be a known issue with using rechargeables. I haven't found any affect on performance in that device, don't know about other brands etc.