Spanner (Garmin program)

Spanner is a free program provided by Garmin for PCs running Windows 2000 or XP. It ‘translates’ live positional data from Garmin’s proprietary interface into NMEA 0183. Garmin’s proprietary interface data is only provided via USB whereas NMEA data is provided via serial port. Spanner overcomes this by creating a virtual serial port and thereby allowing a USB based Garmin GPS receiver ‘speak’ with programs that require NMEA data.

Spanner is offered as a tool for Garmin’s GPS 18 product, but it works with other Garmin GPS receivers including the GPSMap 60cx, 76CS, Colorado series (software version 2.51(beta) or later is needed) and Oregon series.

However, it doesn’t work with all Garmin USB GPS receivers. Some receivers that reportedly don’t work with Spanner include: Venture Cx and Vista Cx/HCx.

External links

* [http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=1627 Garmin’s Spanner download page]
* [http://franson.com/gpsgate GPSgate] -a similar product, but it costs. However it does work with all Garmin USB GPS units.