VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Springboard Modules (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=10)
-- gps module (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=5344)

I send this message to handspring. It is looking like the handy GPS is going to only function with the Q v software and none other. So much for an open system. Anyone want a ice deluxe with low miles? USB cradle and standard leather case. I will let it go for ??? . I like the concept but I have to run GPS pilot software. Only the palm will do this the proiblem I am seeing with these third party GPS modules is that they
only use propriatiry software to function rather than feed the visor unit
the NEMA standard I/O that would let any software work. If this is the case
sales of this unit will be severely limited. The open standard you are
trying to create is being closed up by the third party developer in this
case. This is what I am interpreting from the FAQ on the website of the
Korean manufacture. I will have to sell my unit and get a palm IIIcx if
this is truely the case as I need to use an open software that lets me put
in scanned maps such as GPS pilot.

This is disappointing as I think a lot of us Visor users are pretty stoked about the GPS. I suggest contacting the manufacturer of the HandyGPS, as well as those who make the GPS software that you like. Demand may create supply...

I am not sure what you are reading or where you got your information, but according to the Marcosoft website, the GPS will provide "NMEA 0183 output". Here are the specs from the site:

Specifications Summary
All-in-one 12 channel L1 C/A/ receiver & antenna.
Flash ROM updatable integrated software.
Avg. 15/120 seconds warm/cold start TTFF.
Power saving and sleep modes.
100/25 meter accuracy with/without selective availability.
Two AAA battery operation with approximate 6 hour life depending on usage.
WGS-84 default datum. NMEA 0183 output.
-30�C to 70�C range. 18Km maximum altitude.

Sorry, I am new to GPS. Do these specs mean that the HandyGPS is acceptable/good for aviation? How do you think it will rate compared to the dedicated GPS units already on the market?

I have also read on one of the Marcosoft or Navicom web sites that the Handy GPS will only work with the supplied software and that it will not work with other mapping programs such as topo maps. It is on the faqs page of Navicoms web site I believe.
I also feel that this is a huge disappointment with a product which had such a large potential.

That would be the wrong thing to do. Way to limiting.

I agree with slacker that the spec says NEMA 183 output. The problem is output to where? It is output that the internal propriatery software uses and displays on the screen. Unless a good hack can put that signal into what is suppose to be the serial I/O all the good software for GPS won't work

The GPS springboard is $139. A pure GPS unit is $300+. If you are navigating a plane or find your way around in the wilderness, the GPS springboard is probably not for you.

You have to realize that this is a PDA module for $139 and cannot possibly have all the bells and whistles of a Garmin, etc.

Personally, I will definitely buy the HandyGPS to help me find my way around Chicago. I have no sense of direction and need as much help as I can get.

On the occasions that I do go into the wilderness, I won't solely rely on the HandyGPS to find my way. Nothing beats a good 'ol topo map (the batteries never run out on a map ....

You could use the handy gps to navigate an aircraft since you would enter lat longs for your waypoints.

My main interest is being able to navigate where there are street names and not numbers (like in Atlanta, Charlotte, etc) where getting around can be difficult.

Personally, for $139, this is a heck of a deal with street level mapping to boot.



------------------
Mike Vidal
Ice Owner
Corvette Enthusiast
Racecar Spelled backwards is Racecar!

quote:

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Originally posted by JJR:
The GPS springboard is $139. A pure GPS unit is $300+. ....

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Yeah. Direct support for topos would be great. However, I'd settle for being able to log way points into Memo - - assuming all the relevent coord units are supported.

Anyone know if Quo Vadis do maps of Europe. London is a hellavalot more difficult to get around than any US city I've ever been to and despite living here for 26 years, I still need help!

I just got the Delorme Earthmate working with the Visor (using a homebrew external TTL-RS-232 adapter).

I have used Street Atlas and Topo-3D to download maps to the Visor. The 3D maps are pretty useless since you can't see color and no ability to zoom in/out (using Delormes Solus PRO). It really hard to tell where land ends and lakes start!

The Street Atlas maps/routes are pretty good. Some of the map files can be rather large (2 MB!).

Tell us how you made a serial adapter!!!

wizzard, no maps for europe soon, I sent an e-mail to marcosoft a while ago, but they do not have any plans for non-US maps...

A real pitty....

Yes, show us how to make that connector! By the way, Solus Pro does let you zoom the map. But you can only zoom in certain areas, such as your destination.

Any news on that connector would be great about now...

Here is the info on my adapter.

Bear in mind that this is NOT just a cable but also an external TTL/RS232 adapter that runs off of 12v (car adapter). I am using the ATL connector assembly to hook to the Handspring Visor that hooks to my external adapter box which in turn plugs into the Delorme Earthmate GPS receiver using a DB9-M and is powered from the cig. adapter. The ideal solution would be to build all of this into the cable and run off of batteries using a low powered TTL/RS232 chip like the Maxim 218. If you could find a pin on the DB9 of the GPS receiver that could supply enough drive you could possible eliminate the battery.

On the ATL connector, pin 1 hooks to the output of a RS/TTL receiver, the input of the receiver hooks to pin 2 on the DB9M.

Pin 2 on the ATL connector is tied to pin 4 which goes to ground on the RS/TTL chip and to pin 5 (GND) on the DB9-M.

Pin 8 on the ATL connector is tied to the input of a RS/TTL transmitter, the output goes to pin 3 on the DB9-M.

Using another RS/TTL transmitter I ground its input and the output goes to pin 4 and pin 7 on the DB9-m. This is required to make the Earthmate GPS receiver happy (RTS/DTR).

If you have any questions you can email me at
[email protected]

P.S. Solus PRO does NOT provide zoom capability using Topo 3D and provides a very limited ZOOM using Street Atlas when you plan a route (small areas around the source/dest can be zoomed).

can you post a schmatic of your connection?
I will buy one from you for $50 US or more what ever a fair cost is. Have you tried GPSpilot.com software?

Also check out www.efig.com. They make a diagnostic card that is supposed to provide an RS-232 connection to anything including a GPS. A contact there said they were trying to strike a deal with a GPS manufacturer for a bundled product but one way or another it should work with a non-Springboard GPS.