[aprssig] Groups

[Jason KG4WSV]

On Sun, Jan 24, 2010 at 8:20 AM, NPD Service <ve9nps at gmail.com> wrote:

> On another string's comments about rs-232 capable GPS units, I recently
> noticed the Garmin GPS-18PC is no longer available.

It appears Garmin has recently updated the GP18 line with a hardware
update and maybe a new name (GP18 OEM).  Both the original GP18PC and
the new GP18x PC are listed for sale on Garmin's web site.

> GPS Central has advised
> me that this technology is going the way of the Dodo Bird and the it won't
> be long until serial capable GPS units will be very difficult to access.

At the very least marine units will have RS232 (the "M" in NMEA is
marine), but I would be terribly surprised if embedded type devices
(Garmin calls them "OEM") will cease to support RS232.  It is true
that RS232 is becoming less common on consumer units.

I'd be cautious about sole-sourcing information from someone whose
business is to sell you something.  It may be that GPS Central simply
decided to stop stocking those unit for some reason (probably low
volume sales), and your sales-droid contact lied either through
ignorance or in an attempt to sell you something else that they stock.


-Jason
kg4wsv