Which NMEA sentence should I use

Question

The GPS I am using outputs multiple NMEA sentences which I can use for positional data. (GPGGA and GPRMC). Is there a reason I should use one over the other? Should I check them both and compare the data? Can I just pick one to use arbitrarily?

At this point I am only interested in lat/lon and time.

If it's not clear what I'm asking, let me know and I'll try to clarify.

Mensch

Answer 1

The data in both will be the same. If they aren't, it has to do with the timing of sending the messages.

The reason they are both sent is for compatibility, and because they do contain different data for some fields. If you just need lat/lon and time, then either sentence is fine. I would go with GPRMC, as all NMEA GPS units should send this sentence.

Latton

Hi Brad. " As all NMEA GPS units should send GPRMC". I am reading IEC 61162 it says that RMC is always accompanied by RMB. Does this mean all units are sending RMB as well ? – Divine

@MuhammetAliAsan I do not believe so. RMC by definition is the "recommended minimum". Perhaps the inclusion of RMB is an updated standard since I had previously used NMEA. I'm not familiar with the IEC standard. – Latton