power/data cable for Garmin eTrex?

**BriCubz** · 08-11-2004, 03:10 PM

Hi folks,

I've recently decided on a GPS unit to get. I've decided on a Garmin eTrex, because I wanted a handheld unit that would be useful in hiking/biking etc. Garmin sells a PC interface cable with cigarette lighter adapter ($50 from Garmin, found it for $11.50 on eBay). I am wondering if anyone knows if you can hardwire the adaptor for power. I'm not too keen on having my components plugged into cigarette lighters, I prefer cables to be as out of sight as possible. Well, that's it for now... Thanks!

Brian

**yuprules** · 08-11-2004, 03:39 PM

http://www.gpscity.com ( or http://www.gpscity.ca ) has tons of power adapters for Garmin GPS units.

**benvolioT** · 08-11-2004, 06:02 PM

My understanding is that the cigarette lighter adapter includes a voltage regulator that you need to keep in the circuit. No reason you couldn't hardwire it as long as that regulator is in the circuit. Here is some related info you may find interesting:

How to make a cable

Pictures of how to make a cable

Hey if you find any information about how to make the etrex automatically turn on when the car starts, send if my way!

**BriCubz** · 08-11-2004, 11:58 PM

benvolioT,

Interesting links, thank you! I may just end up making my own data cable after all. It looks like a fun job. I just ordered my eTrex today, so I'll have to wait a few days to get it. As for making it turn on automatically, I would imagine that you'd have to open up the eTrex and do some internal modifications. I'm pretty new at this stuff, so you probably know as much as I do. Thanks again!

Brian

**owenjh** · 08-12-2004, 12:35 AM

Not sure about the etrex or what model in particular it worked with but it must have been some Garmin GPS unit that uses garmins software but there was something you could edit to get the GPS to wake up. Im thinking it works something like WOL for your PC, but not sure.

I think the pFrank is a great way to get your professional cable :-D Im working on making a circuit to take power from the serial port and regulate it methods at the moment include PS2 and USB or 12v from car battery :-D

***If you get the bare wires from garmin you will be able to make a power supply for it. If you got the cable from e-bay you will not be able to do this. I thought I would be able to when I oredered my cable for GPS 12 from ebay but they just don't include the wire. Try ordering from the pFrank site!

**BriCubz** · 08-17-2004, 05:15 PM

Well, I got my Garmin eTrex yesterday, and I really like it. I played around with it for a few hours walking around the neighborhood, and my only regret was that I didn't get lost (So I could use it to find my way back). I don't have a serial cable yet for it, so I haven't tried it in the car. And even if I did have the cable, I don't have any GPS software yet either. I decided not to make my own cable, as I found one on ebay that should do pretty nicely:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...715559936&rd=1

I was wondering if I could hard wire the cable using something like this:

and just hacking off the female end of it. would this work?

Thanks
Brian.

**benvolioT** · 08-19-2004, 01:48 PM

I don't see why it wouldn't work. I thought you wanted your cables out of sight though? Wouldn't it be better to hook in to the cig. lighter wire from behing the dash (after chopping of the MALE end of the extender you have pictured)?

Maybe you don't want to screw around behind the dash though...

Either way - good luck! The Etrex is a fun little toy!