I use Garmin's MapSource software and Garmin's Roads and Recreation CD with
my laptop and either my GPS 12 or eTrex Mariner; both handheld Garmins.
Works great for a real time display or planning except that I can't see the
laptop display in the sunlight, even with the convertible top in place on my
19' bowrider. Of course, using a laptop in a 19' bowrider is a challenge
anyway: any wind and chop means constant vigilance to protect the laptop
from spray/splash!
What's neat is that I connect the GPS to my Furuno 1622 radar and the
current Lat/Long and waypoint information is displayed on the bottom of the
screen. very convenient for everyone else to see, as the handheld GPS is
located where only the person at the helm can easily view it.

"Netsock" wrote in message
...
I have an old laptop with MS Streets and Trips installed, attached to a
cheap eTrex.

It works well...it shows your position real time, and you can "chart"
using
the draw function from the program, and make waypoints where ever you
want.

I like it a lot.

--
-Netsock

"It's just about going fast...that's all..."
http://home.insight.rr.com/cgreen/
"Lloyd Sumpter" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 22 May 2004 01:39:20 +0000, RGrew176 wrote:

During the winter I purchased a Dell laptop. I have a Garmin GPSMAP
230
on the
boat and supposedly you can interface the two with the correct
adaptors.
Has
anyone interfaced their GPS and laptop and if so what were the
results?

Thanks.

I've also done this for years (wrote a few programs to decode the
NMEA...), but
I've always found my old laptop was virtualy impossible to read in
sunlight. Are
new ones better?

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36