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GPS Devices

Deep-Sky Planner can acquire latitude, longitude and elevation information from a supported GPS device.

You can use the GPS Devices function to keep a list of GPS device configurations in Deep-Sky Planner, test communications with each, and select one for use in the product (the Favorite). The dialog box is composed of a browsing pane on the left and a property viewing/editing pane on the right. A communication status pane appears at the bottom of the window. The tool bar provides access to all device configuration functions.

Tool Bar

New initializes the property pane for a new device and enables editing.

Edit initializes the property pane for the selected device and enables editing.

Delete removes the selected device from the database. You are warned before the device is actually deleted.

Favorite toggles the 'favorite' status for the selected device.
Important: A GPS device must be selected as Favorite to be used elsewhere in Deep-Sky Planner. Note that only one device can be selected as Favorite at a time.

Test attempts to communicate with the selected GPS device. Results of the test are displayed in Communication Result.

Help opens this help topic.

Browsing Pane

Device Name shows a list of GPS devices defined in the database. Select an entry to delete, edit or view its properties. Double-clicking a device opens it in the property pane for editing.

Property Pane

Device Name shows the name of the GPS device as defined by the user. It identifies the GPS device within Deep-Sky Planner.

COM Port allows you to specify the serial port to which the GPS device is connected.

COM Rate allows you to choose a pre-defined transmission rate for the device.

Save stores changes and returns to browsing.

Cancel discards the changes, disables editing and returns to browsing.

Communication Status Pane

Communication Result contains a message describing the latest attempt to communicate with the selected GPS device.

Clear erases the message in Communication Result.

Note: Deep-Sky Planner has been tested with the GlobalSat BU-353N GPS device. When the device is attached to the computer, a COM port is assigned for it. You can determine which port by opening the Windows Device Manager and finding Ports (COM and LPT). The COM port assigned to the GPS device follows 'Prolific PL2303GC USB COM port', e.g. (COM8).

When a client program such as Deep-Sky Planner opens a connection to a device and requests a position fix, it may take several seconds to stablize and provide accurate data.