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Configuring the GPS Unit

To use a Garmin GPS in Solar Eclipse Maestro you first have to setup its communication interface.

When a GPS unit is connected to the Mac, you can transfer the coordinates and altitude given by the device. All Garmin USB GPS units using the proprietary Garmin PVT protocol (untested with serial devices using a serial to USB converter) are supported and provide real-time positioning. Receivers that only operate in Mass Storage mode while connected can not provide real-time positioning (please refer to Garmin Spanner mode); nevertheless the last position, while the receiver was not connected, is stored inside the unit and can be read.
Recommended models are (Mass Storage mode must be deactivated and interface set to GARMIN with older units and Garmin Spanner with newer ones):

  1. Choose System > Interface on your Garmin unit.
    Old units such as the GPSMap 60.
    Garmin Interface Setup Garmin Protocol Screen
    Newer units such as the GPSMap 62 or 64.
    Garmin Interface Setup Garmin Spanner Screen
    When connecting the GPS unit with a USB cable, answer "No" when asked to go into mass storage mode.
  2. Then select GARMIN as the communication protocol.
    NMEA over USB isn’t supported.

All serial GPS receivers conforming to the NMEA 0183 standard should also be supported. To configure those devices connect them first either with a Serial to USB adapter or by Bluetooth.
Recommended models are:

Then you can setup the observer’s location.

With Solar Eclipse Maestro Pro and an appropriate GPS unit, the Mac can use the Pulse-Per-Second signal to determine the clock error adjustment.

For receivers that only operate in Mass Storage mode while connected, only the last position, while the receiver was not connected, is to be read. Models usually are:

The recommended settings for tracks can be found below.

  1. Recording waypoints every second is usually not necessary.
    Garmin GPS Track Setting