Garmin GPS18* Series

**trillion** · 12-23-2004, 02:24 AM

Is anyone using one of these devices? Have you found the GPS18PC or the GPS18USB possibly even the GPS18VLC to be more configurable when it comes to interfacing the output with custom software etc...

I read the USB is strictly Garmin proprietary output so can only be used with Mapsource products, which is fine becauase Ill probably end up buying their Mapsource software when I get sick of fiddling with project software out there.

Has anyone found the NMEA sentance output of the GPS18PC model to be of particular benefit to them?

**DaRacerz** · 12-23-2004, 08:51 PM

As far as NMEA is concerned, the benefit would be the use of other software other then Garmin's. Whats nice though, on some units, Garmin gives you the Sensor Config software which really gives you a decent amount of mobility such as transfer speed, which sentences the unit will transmit, and some other factors. But still doesn't allow you to edit the needy-gritty things.

I here use the Garmin 15H Unit, and must say the receiver does a great job with satelite capture. Even like today when it was litterally tourrential downpour of cats and dogs (rain) the Garmin had no problem catching me 12 out of 12 satelite on the Long Island Expressway where my Earthmate equivilent has never gotten that sorta reception. But I must admit, the unit does tend to loose satelites easily, but I think I know why.

**welthqa** · 12-28-2004, 09:35 AM

i'm looking to get the lvc myself. probably will just take the power from a usb port. I don't know if the garmin 18usb works with hibernate, i'm hesitant to get it for that reason. However most gps software can use the garmin format, so it may not matter if its default isn't nmea. The LVC does seem to be more configurable than its counterparts.

any gps18 usb owners out there with hibernate issues?

**Xtreme2k2** · 12-29-2004, 11:33 AM

I would stay away from the garmin 18 USB version, it only uses their protocol, which is only compatible with a certain software, as far as I know.

I bought the garmin 18 pc (serial), and I'll be installing it later today or tomorrow.

**Nutz** · 12-29-2004, 11:44 AM

I bought the serial version so that I could use it with a variety of software. Right now I'm using it with Streets and Trips 2005 and it works great.

**welthqa** · 01-04-2005, 07:26 PM

are you guys hiding them under the dash, or just on top. Since it has that cigarette lighter power supply, what are you doing with it so it doesn't look like crap all over the dash? I want to hide mine away, and I think i can just use the power and ground that would normally go to the cig lighter plug, and hide it away, using electrical tape, and another cig outlet. maybe even an on off switch.

**Nutz** · 01-05-2005, 09:37 AM

I wired a molex connector to the cigarette adapter part so that i can plug it into my power supply in my computer. I have a hatch so i mount it on top of my cargo tray. It's cloth so i just have a magnet underneath to hold it in place, works good.

Don't put it under the dash as you'll lose signal strength.