GPS NavStar - Q & A

The Questions and Answers listed here are specifically related to GPS NavStar. If you have problems regarding to Mappoint, please check Microsoft Knowledge Base articles relating to MapPoint and you may also consult with Mappoint Magazine.

Questions:

1. How does a GPS receiver work?
2. What kind of GPS receivers will work with my computer and with NavStar?
3. What kind of GPS receivers are recommended for NavStar? Where can I  buy them?
4. What are the minimal NMEA 183 protocols required to support NavStar?
5. Which is better for me to purchase a full or a run-time license of Microsoft Mappoint ?
6. What's difference between MapPoint and Streets and Trips and/or Auto Route?
7. Why would I want to buy NavStar since I have Mappoint?
8. How can I set up a trial version of NavStar for evaluation?
9. What is your license policy? Is there a subscription fee to use NavStar? 
10. Are the upgrades after purchase free? How can I get or download them?
11. What are the reasons for no GPS data?
12. How to test the GPS Receiver to see if it is working?
13. How to find out which COM Port the GPS is connected to?
14. How to clean up the address list in the "Find" or "Type place or address" box?
15. What is the system requirements of NavStar?
16. Why doesn't NavStar work properly while using a power inverter for my Laptop?

Answers:

1. How does a GPS receiver  work?

You can find out the answer from National Air and Space Museum.

2. What kind of GPS receivers will work with my computer and with NavStar?

A computer compatible GPS receiver can output data from a serial port (COM port).  The GPS application software will read the positioning data from the in-coming serial port. In the market there are many different types of GPS receivers available. For PC applications we can refer to four categories:

1) Serial Port (RS232) GPS Receiver
2) USB Port GPS Receiver
3) Compact Flash (CF) GPS receiver
4) Bluetooth GPS receiver

The USB Port and the CF GPS receivers use a combo of a serial port or vertual serial port.  Once you plug in these kind of GPS receivers, you will see an additional com port is available to your computer.  You can configure your GPS software toward the correct com port in order to read the data.   For the Serial Port GPS receivers, your computer must be equipped with an available serial port in order to connect to the external receiver. Bluetooth GPS receiver transmits GPS data wirelessly to your bluetooth enabled PC/Laptop/Pdas's serial port.

Please note: there are two types of GPS data protocols: NMEA 183 Standard Protocol and the Rockwell Zodiac GPS Protocol.  Most of PC application software supports NMEA 183 Standard. NavStar supports only GPS receivers that are built on NMEA 183 version 2.0 or later.

3. What kind of GPS receivers are recommended for NavStar? Where can I buy them?

NavStar supports all GPS receivers that output the NMEA 183 RMC or GGA and VTG protocol sentences.  NavStar users can buy GPS receivers from any suppliers according to their preferences. However, if you choose to purchase the NavStar Package product, you will enjoy the advantages of the most cost effectiveness and risk free with the GPS receiver's functionalities for NavStar.  

4. What are the minimal NMEA 183 protocols required to support NavStar?

As long as your GPS receiver supports NMEA 183 RMC or GGA and VTG protocol sentences (most of the GPS receivers do), NavStar will work fine.

5. Which is better for me to purchase a full or a run-time license of Microsoft Mappoint ?

To run NavStar, it is required to have a full version of Microsoft Mappoint or the Mappoint ActiveX control installed on your Laptop or PC.  If you only need Mappoint to support NavStar and your trip related navigation features like finding addresses, creating and tracking routes etc., the run-time license of the Mappoint is enough. This saves you about $100 USD. If you need to do those tasks and in addition, more features like the data analysis for your business, easily plot data from a Microsoft Office application such as Excel, Access, or Outlook etc. then you should take a closer look at a full version of MapPoint.

6. What's difference between MapPoint and Streets and Trips and/or Auto Route?

Streets & Trips is a subset of MapPoint, all of the functionality in Streets & Trips are included in MapPoint. However MapPoint offers additional features for data mapping and visualizing demographic and location based information on a map. MapPoint includes extensive demographic and census data and easy to use wizards for customizing your map with territories, drive-time zones and your own personal symbols.  Here you can check the comparison sheet between them. MapPoint is the platform for all of the Microsoft mapping products. It supports business data analysis, OLE automation for custom add-ins. 

NavStar is based on MapPoint. It doesn't support Streets and Trips and/or Auto Route.

7. Why would I want to buy NavStar since I have MapPoint?

Mappoint does support GPS and will display your position on map. However, this can only tell you where you are. It cannot navigate or guide you to your destination dynamically. NavStar can update your current position real time every second. It tells you not only your current position, but also guides you to your destination. If you missed a turn point, NavStar can recalculate your route automatically by pressing only one button. Text and voice enabled directions lead you to exactly where you are at every turn. With NavStar, your driving becomes much easier and  with confidence. Besides, NavStar has added some basic business management tools such as customer address manager, GPS data log, trip replay and fast history route track etc.

8. How can I set up a trial version of NavStar for evaluation?  

Step 1: Order and download a NavStar 60 day Version.
Step 2: Install Mappoint and NavStar on your Laptop.  

After you install the Mappoint and NavStar properly, NavStar should be ready for your evaluation. 

9. What is your license policy?

GPS NavStar is licensed, not sold. To meet different customers' needs, we offer following 3 licenses and versions: 

1) 7 day free trial version (NavStar only)
2) 60 day usage license version at the price US$14.98
3) full license version at the price US$49.98

All these 3 versions have the same features and functionalities. The only difference is that usable days. Each laptop PC can only install the trial version one time. You cannot prolong the usable days by changing system time, reinstalling the software etc. The only way to continue the usage of NavStar is to purchase a registration/liberation key. NavStar is licensed for each end-user. There is no extra subscription fee.

10. Are the upgrades after purchase free? How can I get or download them?

The upgrades after your purchase are free for small version upgrades. If no significant new features are added to new versions, we won't charge for upgrades. Basically, if you purchased version 3.0.0, then all upgrades version 3.x.x are free. For a big version upgrade, i.e. from version 3.x.x to version 4.0.0, you may need to pay version upgrade fee at a significant discount price from the retail price, say at least 50%.

If a new release comes out, we will email you via our newsletter the web link for downloading NavStar upgrade files.

Please note: Mobile GPS Online will NOT email the upgrade files via email directly to protect users against possible virus attacks.

11. What are the reasons for no GPS data?

If NavStar cannot receive GPS data or you get a message "No GPS Data ...", please check GPS COM Port settings:

1. Select the COM Port where the GPS is connected. (If you do not know the port, check "How to find out the COM Port where the GPS is connected to").
2. The Baud Rate (Bits per second), if you are using the RGM2000 or TN200 GPS Receiver,  is 4800.
3. GPS Type should be "Real Time".
4. Click on the button "Status", "Itinerary" or "Navigator" to open the COM Port.
5. Wait for a few minutes.

Note: Please don't plug in the GPS Receiver before you log onto your Laptop. Plug in just before launching NavStar or after launching NavStar but before pressing the button "Status", "Itinerary" or "Navigator". For some types of GPS receivers, the COM Port for GPS Receiver cannot be opened properly if they are plugged in before logon.If you cannot get GPS data by following procedures above, you may need to contact your GPS receiver manufacturer for further information. A typical problem with USB GPS receivers is the USB driver. For example, you can resolve an initial problem with NavMan USB GPS receiver by update the USB driver to version 1.1.0.28. More details ...

12. How to test the GPS Receiver to see if it is working properly?

If you are using a USB GPS Receiver, please install the GPS USB Driver first. After you connected the GPS Receiver to your computer, follow these steps to verify that the GPS Receiver is working properly:

1. Open HyperTerminal (You can find this application under Start Menu - Programs - Accessories - Communications).
2. Create a new connection; type something like GPS Test as the name of the connection.
3. Select the COM port where the GPS is connected. (If you do not know the port, check "How to find out the COM Port where the GPS is connected to")
4. Set the parameters as follow:

You should see the raw data coming from the GPS. Once you know that your computer can see the GPS data. NavStar should get the GPS data too by setting the GPS COM port properly. 

From NavStar version 3.0.0 you can test your GPS receiver by pressing the Test GPS button on the Options screen. 

13. How to find out which COM Port the GPS Receiver is connected to?  

COM Port for a Serial GPS Receiver 
To find out which COM Port you have connected your GPS Receiver to you will have to check the documentation for your computer and the connecter where you plugged in the GPS. Usually it will be COM1 or COM2. Another way is to look in "Device Manager" in your operating System under COM and LPT ports.

COM Port for a USB GPS Receiver
Look in "Device Manager" in your operating system under COM and LPT Ports. You will find a USB to Serial Bridge port entry. Open the Properties pages for that device and under Advanced you will see the COM Port number that the GPS Receiver is connected to. You can also change this setting by selecting a different COM Port number and clicking OK.

14. How to clean up the address list in the "Find" or "Type place or address" box?   Click here to find a solution.

15. What is the system requirements of NavStar? System Requirements:

• Microsoft Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP.
• 233 MHz processor or better.
• 4x CD-Rom drive or better.
• 128 MB RAM or better.
• Hard disk space required:  
  • 1.05 GB for a full installation including Microsoft Mappoint.
  • 450 MB for an installation running Microsoft Mappoint from an companion CD. 
  • 25 MB for installation of the NavStar only.
• It is required that you have the Microsoft Mappoint installed on your Laptop to run GPS NavStar. You can purchase a full version of Microsoft Mappoint by yourself or a running time license of Microsoft Mappoint via Mobile GPS Online. If you have already installed Microsoft Mappoint on your Laptop, you only need to purchase and install GPS NavStar.
• Important Note: NavStar supports currently only Windows with following settings:
  • Language: "English". You can change this setting via "Control Panel" -> "Regional Options" -> "General"
  • Decimal Symbol: "." You can change this setting via "Control Panel" -> "Regional Options" -> "Numbers"
  • Windows Appearance Scheme: "Windows Standard". You can change this setting via "Control Panel" -> "Display" -> "Appearance"

GPS Receivers: GPS NavStar supports all GPS Receivers that are compliant with NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) standards, and their input/output format (interface) is set to support the NMEA 0183 version 2.0 or later format. Typically, NavStar works with:

• USB port GPS receivers - The USB port GPS receiver plugs into your USB port and receives both data and power through the USB port. The USB GPS Receiver has a simple connection to PC, but need to install a USB Driver that converts GPS data from a USB port to a virtual serial com port.
• Serial port GPS receivers - The serial port GPS receiver plugs into your serial port to receive data and gets power through your laptop's PS/2 port or an external power supplier, e.g.the cigarette lighter adapter. The serial port GPS Receiver transmits GPS data directly to a serial com port. No extra driver program is needed.

16. Why don't NavStar and my GPS receiver work properly when using a power inverter for my Laptop?

There are basically two types of inverters on the market today: modified sine wave and true sine wave. The differences between these two types of inverters are subtle but significant in the way they operate certain types of loads. A modified sine wave inverter can adequately power most household appliances and power tools. It is more economical, but may present certain compromises with some loads such as microwave ovens, laser printers, clocks and cord less tool chargers. A true sine wave inverter is designed to replicate and even improve the quality of electricity supplied by utility companies. To operate higher-end electronic equipment, a true sine wave inverter is recommended. If you are using a modified sine wave inverter for power of your Laptop, your Laptop may work properly, but your GPS receivers may not work because the power output from your Laptop doesn't meet the requirements for your GPS receiver. To fix this problem, you can purchase a true sine wave inverter or power adapter.