Garmin GPS receivers normally use a proprietary protocol to communicate with the PC but most of them can be configured to use the "NMEA 0183" protocol that is used by most other GPS receivers.

Coastal Explorer version 1.0.24 and later can use the Garmin protocol or NMEA 0183 so it no longer matters how your Garmin GPS is configured. However, transfering routes and waypoints to and from a Garmin does require using the Garmin protocol.

Each Garmin model is a little different, but there is typically a "System" menu somewhere on the GPS which will allow you to select which "Interface" (protocol) to use. Some models will offer more than one version of "NMEA 0183" and you should choose the version with the highest number when using NMEA 0183 mode.

You should refer to the manual that came with your GPS for more information on how to select the protocol to use. If you don't have your manual any more, most of them can be downloaded from Garmin's website at www.garmin.com.

Here are a list of garmin models we have information about: