USB vs Serial GPS?

**drPheta** · 08-22-2006, 11:26 AM

What's the benefit of one over the other? I tried to search all sorts of keywords, and couldn't find a thread that answers this question.

**DarquePervert** · 08-22-2006, 11:32 AM

The only benefit to serial over USB is the fact that some motherboards don't like resuming from hibernation and resuming connections to some USB devices (like a GPS receiver). My setup doesn't have this problem, but others do.

Other than that, it's a personal choice, really.

**d0tech** · 08-22-2006, 11:39 AM

Can serial GPS be self-powered from the Serial port? I think thats one of the advantage of using USB devices. You don't need an external power source.

**daspiderboris** · 08-22-2006, 12:02 PM

serial ports can carry up to 12v I believe. They can definetely match the 5v of usb. Don't pretty much all usb devices use a Serial to USB bridge? If you have the free port and don't mind running the cable, it's a equal alternative.

**nl4jy** · 08-22-2006, 12:07 PM

many serial mouse would use a piggy back PS2 connector for power from the ps2 ports... if you don't have those ports anymore... it might impose a problem.

**myzhi** · 08-22-2006, 03:20 PM

Also, with serial, you never need to install any drivers, unlike USB. Power comes from PS2 (keyboard or mouse ports) which I believe is 2-3W. If you have the option, go with serial. Much less hassle with hibernation and driver issues.

**DarquePervert** · 08-22-2006, 03:31 PM

With a USB GPS receiver, the only driver to be installed is a USB-serial adapter, so there are no drivers specific to a particular GPS receiver.

**drPheta** · 08-22-2006, 03:48 PM

So, the serial GPS actually connects to the 9 pin serial port on the back of the PC and also plugs into the PS2 for power?

**Rob Withey** · 08-22-2006, 04:37 PM

As an example of a serial GPS, the standard Rikaline 6010 serial cable draws it's power from a PS2 port. That said, I modified my serial power to supply +5v on pin 9 and built a custom cable, so even if it isn't powered from the serial port, it is trivial to make it so.
See Rikaline manual for more info.

**Zip-Lock** · 08-22-2006, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by drPheta

So, the serial GPS actually connects to the 9 pin serial port on the back of the PC and also plugs into the PS2 for power?

Yes, they need some sort of power other then what's provided by the serial port. I used to have a Garmin 35 has it required a 12v input. I now use a USB GPS. It's USB bus powered and it simplifies things by having one less power wire.