What is a GPS receiver for a laptop. Navigator for a laptop: creating a system Connecting a GPS module to a laptop
- Laptop running Windows XP or Windows Vista
- External GPS receiver connecting via Bluetooth
Step 1: Connect the receiver
External GPS receivers connect to a laptop via Bluetooth. Read our article for details on how to connect a laptop and an external GPS receiver via Bluetooth.
Step 2. Configure the COM port
In order for the navigation program to “see” the GPS receiver, that is, to be able to receive location data from it, you must specify the settings of the virtual COM port through which the program connects to the GPS receiver. Thus, through a “virtual” port that does not physically exist in the form of a connection of wires, data will be sent from the receiver to the navigation program. But first you need to find out these COM port settings: that is, its number in the system. You can read the instructions for the device or determine the COM port connecting the GPS receiver to the navigation program using an additional utility, for example GPSinfo - it is usually present on the disk included with the GPS receiver. You should install this program on your computer, run it and select the Scan COM-ports option. The program will check the virtual COM ports of the system, and you will see which COM port is used by the GPS receiver. At this stage, it would be a good idea to check the functionality of the GPS receiver. To do this, select the COM port that works with the receiver and click the Start GPS button. If everything works, then in the lower part of the program window the lines for receiving data from the satellites of the global positioning system should “run”. After finishing working with the GPSinfo program, you must stop it by closing the program window (or clicking Stop GPS), otherwise it will not allow the navigation program to connect to the GPS receiver.
Navigator - modern software, allowing you to determine your location in real time and display the result on the display of the device on which it is installed. This function is very useful for orienting in unfamiliar areas and planning a route to a given point. Especially a navigator is in demand among car drivers, because it is able to warn in advance about traffic jams and congestion on the road and, in accordance with them, adjust the path.
What navigators are there?
Initially, navigators appeared as autonomous devices, performing only the function of determining location and planning a route. They are compact in size and can be easily installed in any car using a stand. The disadvantage of such devices is that the user cannot change or configure the software. Those. The navigator worked only with a single program installed during its manufacture.
At the same time, the cost of such a device is quite high, considering that it performs a single function. But with the development of technology and the advent of modern smartphones, the need for autonomous navigators has disappeared. Mobile devices based on have a GPS module and support all available navigation applications. But few people know that it can also be used as a navigator.
This is quite simple to do and even an inexperienced user can configure it. Using a laptop PC as a navigator is beneficial from an economic point of view. You do not need to buy a separate device, but simply install the required programs and start using the new capabilities of your device.
Moreover, there are a number of laptops with a built-in GPS module:
- YOGA Book series;
- a number of laptops from the company;
- 12 Rugged Extreme;
- CF series.
What you need to know to use a laptop as a navigator
But not all laptops have an integrated GPS module. Therefore, to connect a laptop computer to a satellite system external adapter required. There are many such devices that differ in design and connection. The most convenient are wireless GPS receivers that connect to a laptop via USB output or via Bluetooth.
Connected adapter immediately begins searching for “visible” satellites. This entire process takes up to 30 seconds. To display a map of the area and your location online, you need to launch the installed navigator program for your laptop and activate the Bluetooth function (if necessary). Synchronized with the GPS successor, the portable PC will display all the necessary information on the screen with high accuracy.
You can download several navigators on your laptop online:
- GIS Russa;
- Garmin MobilePC
- OziExplorer
- CityGuide and others.
Most of them are free navigators for laptops. However, many electronic cards will have to be purchased separately for money.
Advantages of using a navigator via a laptop:
- large display and clear picture;
- the ability to install any software;
- no need to buy a separate navigator;
- compact dimensions of the GPS receiver;
Perhaps the only and significant drawback of using a laptop as a navigator is the problem of securely fixing it in the car. In such cases, it is best to take a partner with you on the road, who will hold a laptop PC and at the same time show you the way.
A GPS navigator is no longer just an assistant in orienting motorists on the roads. Today, the navigator is able to determine the exact location and notify about traffic jams. The GPS receiver will provide information about the terrain features. To transfer data and download updated maps, the GPS navigator is connected to a desktop computer or laptop. Connecting with a laptop prevails due to its portability and versatility.
The Bluetooth function is convenient for detecting a navigator on a laptop because it does not require additional equipment. Which is very convenient for saving space. The GPS receiver must be turned on. Launch the Bluetooht function with the laptop turned on. Through the control panel, go to the “Bluetooth Devices” folder and click the “Add” button. In the list of detected devices, select the name of the navigator. Launch the settings wizard. If for some reason wireless communication cannot be used, a cable with a USB connector will help connect the devices. Often the GPS receiver is automatically detected by the laptop. If there is no automatic detection of the GPS navigator, you need to use the driver disk. It comes complete with a GPS navigator. Otherwise, drivers for the required model can be found on the receiver manufacturer's website.
Navigation on a laptop has more extensive functionality and clarity than in portable GPS receivers. From a variety of maps, you can choose the most suitable one, quickly plan and coordinate your route.
If you need to connect a GPS receiver to your laptop to track your location, but don’t want to buy one, then in this article you will learn how you can just as successfully use an Android phone as such a GPS receiver. Of course, the phone must have GPS and both devices must also have Bluetooth, which will be used as a wireless connection.
Phone setup
In the Google Play Market you can find many applications designed to transmit GPS coordinates via Bluetooth, for example: GPS over BT, GPS2Bluetooth, Share GPS, Bluetooth GPS Output (paid). I liked GPS over BT the best, but if you are unable to transfer GPS data using this application, try the applications listed above.
Before launching the application, complete the following preliminary settings:
- Pair your phone with your laptop via Bluetooth.
- Turn on the GPS option on your phone.
Launch the GPS over BT application, the application will automatically search for satellites, determine the location and begin transmitting data to the laptop connected via Bluetooth.
To see a map of satellites, press the "Menu" button on your phone and select the appropriate item.
Laptop setup
Set up a virtual serial port for a Bluetooth device on your laptop. To do this in Windows, follow these steps: open the “Devices and Printers” window (Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers), find a phone paired via Bluetooth among the devices connected to the laptop, right-click on it and select the command "Properties" context menu.
Then in the properties window, switch to the "Services" tab and check the box next to "Serial port (SPP)..." and click on the "Apply" button. After a short wait, you will see the COM port number, which you will later need to connect the GPS receiver in the navigation program for Windows.
Download and install the desired navigation application on your laptop, for example: SAS.Planet, Google Earth, 2Gis, etc. I prefer SAS.Planet (it does not need to be installed), so below is the GPS receiver setting for this program. In general terms, the settings in other programs are similar.
Download, unpack and run the SAS.Planet program. Select the "GPS > Settings" command in the program window.
In the "Settings" dialog box that opens, on the "GPS" tab, make sure that "COM" is checked in the "GPS type" group. In the "Port" field, select the desired port number, the one mentioned above (in my case, COM8). The speed can be left unchanged; according to the documentation, when connected via the NMEA 0183 protocol at a speed of 4800 baud/s, GPS data is transmitted once per second. Click on the "GPS On/Off" button, then on the "Apply" and "OK" buttons.
In the main window of the program, your location should be displayed on the map, and other details (speed, distance traveled, altitude above sea level, azimuth, etc.) in the panel on the right.
Unlike many “gadgets,” a laptop has a significant advantage - versatility. The same device can serve its owner as a work tool, an entertainment center, a music player, a cinema... The scope of laptops is very wide. With the help of simple steps you can even make a GPS navigator from your laptop. To do this, you need to solve only three problems: equip your laptop with a GPS receiver, install the appropriate software and conveniently place all this in the car.
Welcome, welcome!
The GPS receiver can be connected via USB or BlueTooth. The USB GPS receiver is more convenient in terms of power supply. It does not need a battery or an additional cable to connect to the cigarette lighter; there is no need to charge such a module at home. A USB receiver can be in the form of an antenna and wire or look like a regular flash drive.
The second option is more compact, but problems may arise with the quality of signal reception; such an antenna cannot be placed on the dashboard or brought outside. However, modern GPS receivers are sufficiently sensitive, so in most cases you can choose any option. The BlueTooth receiver is convenient because it can be used not only with a laptop. This receiver is suitable as an external GPS for a pocket computer or smartphone.
It's all about the cards
There are quite a lot of navigation programs that can be installed on a laptop. They differ in functionality and available cards. Listing them all is quite tedious, but a few words need to be said about the main programs. For off-road travel, the OziExplorer program is suitable. It allows you to use regular scanned maps of the area. Paper maps are still superior to electronic ones in terms of quality and topographic detail. But for driving on roads and in the city, it is better to use programs that work with electronic GPS maps.
CityGuide is famous for its high-quality and detailed map of St. Petersburg, as well as the ability to receive information about traffic jams. There are many free maps available for GIS Russa, drawn by enthusiasts. Garmin MobilePC is a car navigation program from the world leader in the field of navigation. The Garmin MobilePC interface is the closest to a regular car navigator and is simple and understandable even for a novice user.
Now let's try to take off with all this!
The most difficult thing is to install a laptop in a car so that it does not fall or slide while driving, on sharp turns and during emergency braking. The simplest mounting option is for a passenger in the next seat, holding the laptop tightly in his hands. At the same time, you can appoint him as a navigator, then the driver will not be distracted by the screen at all. You can try to secure the laptop to the dashboard using a backing with a non-slip base. Not the most reliable option and only suitable for small laptops. You can securely install a laptop of any size using a special car bracket. Such a mount is not cheap, but the design inspires confidence and allows the driver to use the laptop independently without worrying about its safety.
Using a laptop as a navigator is completely justified. Large display, versatility, ability to use different navigation programs. If we take into account that standard navigators with a large screen, which are installed in place of a double-din radio, are quite comparable in price to a new mid- and even high-class laptop, then a +GPS laptop turns out to be not only a convenient, but also an economically viable solution. Therefore, we recommend that all those who value functionality and do not want to carry around a bunch of different equipment with them simply get a small GPS navigator for their laptop, solving the navigation problem once and for all.
The article was prepared by Susanin specialists