FAQ: GPS Guidance

General questions:

• How do GPS Pilot software use GPS information?
• How Satellite Navigation works
• Does GPS software works anywhere is the world?
• Can I use your software inside a building?
• Accuracy of GPS Pilot software
• Which GPS receivers should I choose?
• What GPS receivers do you recommend?
• Do GPS Pilot programs receive the satellite signals direct to the palm or do I need a GPS receiver?
• Do GPS Pilot work with the the integrated GPS locator function that is installed in the Kyocera 7135 or Samsung I330?

Hardware connection and initialization

• Palm-GPS connection?
• What is the most convenient GPS device to use?
• I have a Rand McNally Streetfinder GPS. I selected "companion" and got the following error: Can not connect the GPS module (Ftr 0C02). GPS Off
• Emtac Blue tooth GPS, Fortuna GPSmart GPS, Bluei GPS, TomTom GPS BT
• Rand McNally GPS clip on devices and Magellan Companion Handspring module
• Navman GPS
• Delorme GPS and set up
• Nexian Handy GPS for HandSpring Visor
• Garmin models
• Specific to the configuration of EAGLE
• Specific to the configuration of Magellan GPS 315
• General setup for NMEA GPS receiver
• Where can I find a null modem adapter
• How to build my own Null modem adaptor?
• Does the palm V device come with a Hotsync cable?

Trouble shooting:

• I see that you list it on your website the XXX GPS device as a compatible device- But I just wanted to be 100% sure before I purchase something I may not be satisfied with.I copied the text on your site mentioning the GPS memory stick..
• Connected to a GPS I got the sentence "GPS not detected"
• Connected to a GPS I got the sentence "GPS Init"
• Why does the date and time on the GPS screen shows GMT +541.1h, Weds Aug 4,2021 3:11:55pm ? Whereas when the satellites are not being received the date and time is fine.
• After 3 minutes the Palm Tungsten T takes "power off" - so I have to take it on all 3 minutes
• After taking it on again and again the km and km/h in the display shows very great numbers (>8000 km and >13000 km/h)
• The navigation {GPS} screen is in fuzzy color and does not show clearly.
• I have a Palm V with OS4.1 with a RandMcNally Streetfinder GPS unit and I have tried both Compass and Atlas. Both give me the error "Can not connect to the GPS module (Ftr0C02). GPS Off"

General questions

How do GPS Pilot software use GPS information?

A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a network of satellites that transmits high-frequency radio signals containing time and distance data that can be picked up by GPS receivers, allowing the GPS Pilot products to use these information to pinpoint GPS Pilot users precise location speed, altitude, heading, … on color digital moving maps anywhere around the globe.
 

How Satellite Navigation works

Global navigation satellites continuously transmit time and distance information as they orbit the earth in a precise formation. Navigation satellite receivers use this information to calculate an exact location through triangulation. Every point on Earth is identified by two sets of numbers called coordinates. These coordinates represent the exact point where a horizontal line, known as latitude, crosses a vertical line, known as longitude. The receiver locks on to at least three satellites and uses the information received to determine the coordinates of the device.

By comparing the time the signals were transmitted from the satellites and the time they were recorded, the receiver calculates how far away each satellite is. The distance of the receiver from three or more satellites reveals its position on the surface of the planet. With these distance measurements, the receiver might also calculate speed, bearing, trip time, distance to destination, altitude and more.
 

Does GPS software works anywhere is the world?

The GPS technology is available worldwide so are GPS Pilot products. Moreover, GPS Pilot support world wide maps, so you can use our software anywhere in the world.
 

Can I use your software inside a building?

Satellite navigation receivers must operate by line of sight with global positioning satellites. Though the radio signals of navigation satellites will pass through clouds, glass, plastic and other lightweight materials, satellite navigation receivers will not work underground or in other enclosed spaces such as a building.
 

Accuracy of GPS Pilot software

The accuracy depends on the GPS receiver not our software.
GPS Pilot software support precision down to the inch/2.5 centimeters.
A standard GPS is precise to 30 feet (10 meters) in the worst; it is usually around 15 feet (5 meters).
For more accuracy, use a DGPS (Differential GPS). A DGPS has a magnitude of 3 feet (1 meter).
 

Which GPS receivers should I choose?

GPS Pilot software support all National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA-0183) compliant GPS receivers.
We also support the Rockwell Zodiac receivers' family (DeLorme Earthmate).

Use our Compass demoware for testing purpose.
GPS Pilot applications are also DGPS (Differential GPS) ready.
 

What GPS receivers do you recommend?

Partnership with Emtac Bluetooth GPS and Randmcnally GPS constructors to get the best light GPS-Palm hardware solution, Fortuna SmartGPS, Navman, Magellan Companion, Nexian HandSpring, Delorme, Garmin, Eagle, Earthmate…
The prices of these devices start around U.S. $100.
 

Do GPS Pilot programs receive the satellite signals direct to the palm or do I need a GPS receiver?

A GPS device is not required to operate GPS Pilot software. Indeed, GPS Pilot software can be used as a digital hand held atlas with no GPS navigation assistance dimension.
But attention, with no GPS receiver, do not expect to get GPS data such as altitude, speed, heading, etc... These information are emitted by satellites and only readable by GPS receiver.
 

Do GPS Pilot work with the the integrated GPS locator function that is installed in the Kyocera 7135 or Samsung I330?

the GPS locator including in these smart phone is not a true GPS device. This smart phone supports cell-based positioning - first used in 911 services- supported by some carriers rather than true global, satellite-based positioning. To use this smartphone for GPS navigation, you will need to use it coupled with a real GPS unit.
 

Hardware connection and initialization

Palm-GPS connection?

We do support any GPS solution NMEA0183 or higher compatible GPS devices as well as the Delorme Earthmate™ proprietary protocol.

Many GPS devices solutions are available on the market for PDA:

• Integrated GPS : Garmin IQUE
• Blue-tooth: Emtac Bluetooth , Fortuna GPSmart GPS
• Compact Flash: Pretec CF, Transplant Computing CF, Crux II CF,…
• Memory Stick: Sony MS
• clip-on (for instance the Rand McNally StreetFinder, Magellan Companion, clip-on: NavMan, Rand McNally, Companion, Geodiscovery Geode, Nexian Handy GPS
• and external device GPS such as Delorme Earthmate, Garmin, Magellan, Eagles models,... For these independent GPS devices, you can use either the cradle or the Hotsync cable + null modem adapter to connect the GPS device to the Palm handheld.

See below for specific models. More information on the Palm - GPS connection through Dale Depriest site http://www.gpsinformation.org/dale/Palm/phardware.htm.
 

What is the most convenient GPS device to use?

Integrated/Clip on GPS devices are very useful when you walk, or have an sportive activity (to avoid to carry too many devices). By car or plane, to get a good satellites reception, prefer external GPS devices placed on your dash board with the PDA screen near you!
Prefer the Blue Tooth solution to get rid of all the cables.
 

I have a Rand McNally Streetfinder GPS. I selected "companion" and got the following error: Can not connect the GPS module (Ftr 0C02). GPS Off

Companion is for HandSpring module. Your GPS should work fine under NMEA cable.

Garmin Ique	Software settings: Set "IQUE Gar..." in the GPS details form to detect your GPS unit
** keeps telling gps not found? Make sure the Ique Power save mode is deactivated, and re-select the IQUE option in the GPS details form.

Emtac Blue tooth GPS, Fortuna GPSmart GPS, Bluei GPS

Emtac blue tooth GPS, Fortuna GPSmart GPS, Bluei GPS, TomTom GPS BT

Set GPS on and let the GPS blue tooth be recognized by your PDA device via the "Blue Tooth" setting   Software settings: Set "Blue Tooth" in the GPS details form to detect your GPS unit Variation? None of the Emtac BT GPS niether the SysOn GPS support the variation data. i.e these GPS are not totally NMEA  as the variance data should be a mandatory information for this standard

Rand McNally GPS clip on devices and Magellan Companion Handspring module

		At retailers: Fry's Electronics (California), staples.com, palmgear.com, and igo.com	Just clip the Rand McNally GPS receiver to your Palm III™, V™, VII™ Connected Organizers   Software settings: Check "NMEA" in the GPS details form
StreetFinder GPS for Palm III	StreetFinder GPS for Palm V	StreetFinder GPS for Palm IIIc, and Palm VII
**Init too long? Some of StreetFinder units think they are still in Asia (where they were last tested in a plant prior to shipping), and they are looking for satellites that are visible in Taiwan. After a period of time (up to 30 minutes), the unit will reset and acquire properly. Thereafter, the unit should acquire within a few minutes. If your unit fails to do so, download the GPS Meter program from http://www.randmcnally.com/binaries/gpsmeter.zip. This utility will initialize your GPS unit more quickily and provide other information regarding direction and satellite strength.

Navman GPS

Navman GPS clip on devices	Just clip the Navman500 GPS receiver to your Palm m500, m105, and m125 Connected Organizers   Software settings: Check "Navman" in the GPS details form
**Still getting no GPS? Make sure that your your Navman/streetfinderunit and program need are updated to run on 0s3.5.  The patrch is directly distributed from Rand McNally at Randmcnally.com support line via e-mail. With this patch in place and the device set to nema the compass program started to work.

Delorme GPS and set up

USB Earthmate Earthmate Tripmate also supported (replaced by the Earthmate)

DeLorme cable (US$ 20.00) can be purchased through DeLorme web site.   Software settings: USB Earthmate (Check "NMEA" in the GPS details form) Earthmate (Check "Earthmate" in the GPS details form) Tripmate (Check "NMEA" in the GPS details form)

Nexian Handy GPS for HandSpring Visor

Just clip the HandyGPS to your Visor. Software settings: HandyGPS Note: The HandyGPS needs to be switched on prior to start GPS Pilot session via the HandyGPS program.

Garmin models

Compatible 12**, 45 (limit 90 mph), 90,195, 12XL, GPS II and III, etrex, etc... US$160.00 to US$ 3315

Palm Palm Data cable to connect directly to the Garmin GPS unit   Software settings: "NMEA" in the GPS details form

** Specific to the connection and configuration of Garmin 12: "For the physical connection.... I am using a Garmin to PC cable, connected with a palm HotSync cable. In between the two I have a male-to-male adapter with pins 2 and 2 swapped, making it a null modem as well. I have the Garmin interface set to NMEA. Toggle through the Garmin 12 screens, until arriving at the screen titled "MENU SCREEN". On the menu screen. Select menu item "SETUP MENU" on the "SETUP MENU" screen, select menu item "INTERFACE" On the "INTERFACE" screen, the first item is the I/O format. Notice that for each I/O format there are 2 names. The first is the name for the interface to DGPS, if available. For GPS pilot, scroll through the possible entries, selecting "None/NMEA". Selecting "None/NMEA" will allow some further provisioning concerning the version of NMEA and the interface rate. The defaults are "NMEA 0183 2.0", 4800 BAUD. The are the settings required for communicating with GPS Pilot. If the defaults are anything other than these two values, change them to reflect the values mentioned above. For more details see page 47 of the user manual. ** Specific to the configuration of Garmin Etrex: " Under Main menu > Setup > Interface 1) Select NMEA in / NMEAout under Serial data format 2) Select 4800 Baud"

Specific to the configuration of EAGLE

From e-mail (Thanks to Shawn Mammon): On the Eagle setup your com port/nema settings like so: NEMA ON NEMA 0183 v2.0 Baud 4800/noParity/8 Bit RMC/RMB ON All of these except the first setting are the defaults from the factory.   Software settings: "NMEA" in the GPS details form

Specific to the configuration of Magellan GPS 315

General setup for NMEA GPS receiver

Your GPS receiver should be NMEA 0183 V2.0, 4800 baud, 8 bits, and no parity.
GPS Pilot applications needs at least 2 NMEA sentences:

• $GPGGA for altitude, number of satellites in view, position
• $GPRMC for direction, position and speed

For the satellites signal reception status view, GPS Pilot applications also need the

• $GSV  sentence for posiiton of the satellites in view.

From e-mail : "from the GPS II, I used its proprietary (010-10082-00) GPS II/45XL power/data cable to which I added a 9 pin female serial connector. I use this cable to also transfer data to/from the GPS II and my PC. From the Pilot I used the Hot Sync Cable PC Part Number 10104U. To connect the two cables I used a 9 pin M-F null modem adapter and a M-M gender changer from Radio Shack."
 

Where can I find a null modem adapter

You can buy a null modem adapter at electronics retails store such as Radio Shack or you can build your own.
 

How to build my own Null modem adaptor?

The connection between the GPS receiver and the Palm is through the serial port using a "null-modem" connection:

HotSync cable Pin 5 Ground Pin 3 Transmit Data Pin 2 Receive data Pin 6 DTR (DeLorme only)

GPS receiver Pin 5 Ground Pin 3 Receive data Pin 2 Transmit data Pin 4 (DeLorme only)

Does the palm V device come with a Hotsync cable?

The Hotsync cable is available in the traveler kit. To connect to a GPS receiver you either need the Hotsync cable or the cradle. In either case, you will need a null modem.
 

Trouble shooting:

I see that you list it on your website the XXX GPS device as a compatible device- But I just wanted to be 100% sure before I purchase something I may not be satisfied with.I copied the text on your site mentioning the GPS memory stick..

To be 100% sure that your GPS device is supported, try out our Compass trial version available through our try it page. Contact us at support@GPSpilot.com if you encounter any troubles.
 

Connected to a GPS I got the sentence "GPS not detected"

"GPS not detected" means the Palm is not receiving information from the GPS. Either, there is no GPS plugged in, or the connection between the Palm and the GPS is deficient, or your GPS device is not recognized.

Set GPS type to another entry and re-select the right entry according to your type of GPS (see the list above).

If you still get Not found status, check power and connection of your device: make sure you are using a null modem.
 

Connected to a GPS I got the sentence "GPS Init"

“GPS Init” meansyour PDA is receiving information from satellites but the number of satellites is not sufficient to get a fix.

Check time, offset GMT, and date. If one of them are wrong, modify time zone, date and time through Palm predefined Preferences application available via the main screen.
Now, if the initialization phase is lasting more than 1 minute, the system need to get more information on your current location. Select a location close to your current location (within about 200 miles) to aid the GPS receiver to get its initial fix.
Click on the Lat/Long bubble to get the list of predefined POIs , select a close one in the list or create a new one with your current coordinates. If you are using in conjunction the Mapping module, you can also center approximately the map to your current location.
 

Why does the date and time on the GPS screen shows GMT +541.1h, Weds Aug 4,2021 3:11:55pm ? Whereas when the satellites are not being received the date and time is fine.

When you have your GPS plugged in, the date and time are given by the satellites, when there is no connection it is your Palm unit time.

A GPS clock has only a counter that can add 1024 weeks and then rolls over. Sometimes the rollover counter gets it wrong and you are about 1024 weeks wrong (or maybe 1023 weeks wrong). It is likely that this is a problem with the hardware/firmware in your GPS and you may need to contact the manufacturer customer support to get it fixed.
 

After 3 minutes the Palm Tungsten T takes "power off" - so I have to take it on all 3 minutes

To keep your palm from turning itself off while you are using for GPS navigation, use the GPS stay on option available via the menu bar under the Options- Auto-off/Stay on option. Toggle the Stay on button to keep your palm from turning itself off while you are using for GPS navigation.

After taking it on again and again the km and km/h in the display shows very great numbers (>8000 km and >13000 km/h)

This is because the GPS unit is feeding the Palm device incorrect data. This goes away if the GPS starts to move on or if you reset the odometer.
 

The navigation {GPS} screen is in fuzzy color and does not show clearly.

This is because you are using your own color table, if your were using the predefined 256 Palm color table, the color should look nice.

For color maps rendering on the Palm, you have 2 possibilities of conversion.

• For best color rendering you can convert your color map into a 256-color map and include its specific color table.
• For better execution efficiency, you can ease the Palm's conversion algorithm by using the predefined Palm color table. In this case, prior to convert your map within Cartographer, recast the map with the colors palette of the Palm. To do so, save the predefined Palm Color table (available at http://GPSpilot.com/Data/Program/Cartographer/PalmOS256color.zip) into your computer.
  Then open PaintShop pro, load your image, apply the menu "Color-Load Palette. Convert the rendering of your map within the Palm color table range : enter the name of the predefined palette "PalmOS256color.PAL", select the "Apply palette using the nearest colors matching" and click on the "Open" button. In this case do not include any color tables within Cartographer as you are using the default one.
   

I have a Palm V with OS4.1 with a RandMcNally Streetfinder GPS unit and I have tried both Compass and Atlas. Both give me the error "Can not connect to the GPS module (Ftr0C02). GPS Off"

Check your connection cradle/cable baud rate. if it is not set to 4800, manually set the baud rate to 4800 in the settings menu for cradle/cable.
 

> GPS Guidance module info