GPS Plugin non-functional (OS X) for Serial Bus/Com port units

[jctull]

Windows: When trying to download or upload gpx information from/to a GPS device, nothing happens (error reported about invalid layer when downloading). In order to get gpx download or upload support, you have to manually code the path to the gpx file in the GPS Device settings. E.g., to get a waypoint layer loaded from the GPS device, I have to click on the device settings, go to waypoint download and make the line look like this: %babel -i garmin -o gpx -f com4 -F "C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Desktop\test.gpx" You have to hit "update device" to get this setting to stick. Then I have to fill in the "Save as" box in the main GPS tools dialog with the path to the above test.gpx file. I tell qgis to call the new layer "test", but anything will work here.

OS X: In OS X, nothing shows up under Port, so you have to code the port into the device settings. In my case, with a serial to usb device, I replace %in (for a download from gps device) with -f /dev/cu.usbserial-ftCASM51. I also had to add -F before %out to get the transfer to actually save the gpx file to disk. (I'm thinking that -F should be added to the %out or %in strings in the C++ code for this plugin.)

Possibly a dev can test this with gps emulation software. The only link for Windows I found was a commercial software with a 14-day free trial called gpsgate.

[pcav]

Still true?

[lutra]

Windows: what version/installer and gps unit did you used?

With the OSGeo4W installer (that installs also gpsbabel) and a Garmin usb unit (gpsmap 60c) it is very straighforward. Just plug the gps unit and qgis will make the connection without the need to change any of the configuration parameters.

Please give feedback.

[lutra]

Works for me under windows, garmin usb gps, qgis/gpsbabel installed from osgeo4w. Works also under linux.

Feel free to reopen the ticket if there are still issues under Mac.

[jctull]

I'm reopening this and renaming to reflect serial bus usage. If someone can verify that using a serial bus gps unit works, then let's call it done. Otherwise, I think there are problems with com ports/serial bus that have not been resolved. Note that this is not just a Windows problem despite the platform selection in the bug report.

[lutra]

Replying to jctull:

. Note that this is not just a Windows problem despite the platform selection in the bug report.

Hi, I cannot test the OsX platform, but I can test a serial gps under windows. I'll let you know.

[lutra]

Replying to jctull:

I'm reopening this and renaming to reflect serial bus usage. If someone can verify that using a serial bus gps unit works, then let's call it done. Otherwise, I think there are problems with com ports/serial bus that have not been resolved. Note that this is not just a Windows problem despite the platform selection in the bug report.

I tested a Garmin eTrex serial GPS unit, used Windows XP, qgis 1.0.2 and 1.2 installed with osgeo4w *AND* gpsbabel installed also with osgeo4w. It works out of the box with no need of making any change in the configuration of the devices ("edit devices").

I cannot make tests with OsX as I don't have a Mac and I don't know any person that has one and can let me try qgis.

[kyngchaos]

I had mixed luck with this a few years ago. I used to build my own gpsbabel + libusb on OSX because there was no other CLI build available. Now I bundle the "official" CLI build in the OSX Qgis, but it's unclear whether they include libusb support.

I have access at work to an old Garmin serial GPS I can try.

[lutra]

Replying to kyngchaos:

I have access at work to an old Garmin serial GPS I can try.

thanks, let us know.

[pcav]

It is this still true? Please check and confirm, or close it.

[jctull]

This still does not work on OS X Snow Leopard with latest trunk build of qgis.

[kyngchaos]

Well, I can't look into this. Looks like our old serial GPS unit at work died, so I have no way to check it out.

[jctull]

This problem persists on OS X.