14
NMEA Cable Connections
NMEA is a standard communications format for marine electronic
equipment. For example, an autopilot can connect to the NMEA interface
on this unit and receive positioning information. The unit can exchange
information with any device that transmits or receives NMEA 0183 data.
To exchange NMEA data, Lowrance offers an optional data only cable
and a power/data combo cable:
The PC-DI7 is a NMEA/serial communications cable. It has a standard
female DB-9 connector on one end to attach your unit to a computer's
serial communications port.
The PC-DI8 combines a cigarette lighter power adapter with a DB-9
plug for a NMEA/serial com port connection to a laptop computer or
other device. This is our favorite cable for connecting the iFINDER
H2OC to a laptop computer in a RV or other vehicle. By transmitting
NMEA data to the computer, you can get live position data for GPS-
compatible mapping software.
You can also run one of our free Lowrance GPS emulators on your lap-
top and operate it with real-time position information.
To use it, plug the power adapter into a cigarette lighter socket, plug
the DB-9 connector into a serial port on the computer and attach the
cable to the iFINDER. Then see "Com Port Configuration" in Sec. 5.
MMC or SD Memory Card Installation
Your iFINDER uses a MultiMedia Card to store information, such as
custom maps, waypoints and other GPS data. The unit can also use Se-
cure Digital Cards (SD cards) to store information.
NOTE:
Throughout this manual, we will use the term MMC, but just re-
member your unit can use an MMC or SD card to store data.
Both of these solid-state flash memory devices are about the size of a
postage stamp. A SD card is slightly thicker than an MMC. As this
manual went to press, MMC and SD cards were available in storage
capacities of up to 1 GB.
Additional MMC cards are available from LEI Extras. See ordering in-
formation inside the back cover of this manual. MMCs and SD cards
are also available at many consumer electronics stores.
The MMC slot is located in the battery compartment, beneath the bat-
teries on the right side of the unit. The contact pins are springy, to
make it easier to insert and remove a MMC card.
