Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Lebanon, NH, USA
Posts: 40

I hope some people will find this to be of interest. I've been posting recently about using my Visor with a handheld Magellan GPS 315.

Now I've updated my how-to page http://wac.addr.com/ee/visor/visor.html with a mini-update and some pictures of what the setup looks like in my car.

The full writeup is on my site, but I'll post pictures here as well:


Since I haven't really given a review of my setup, I'll give a short pros and cons listing here. I'll try to be as unbiased as possible.

Strengths:
Only one set of batteries to worry about (Visor).
Can run GPS on 2 AA batteries (alkaline or NiCd/NiMH in a pinch) if desired.
Only one cable between the Visor and GPS.
Customized, downloadable maps from Delorme are of great detail and accuracy.
GPS does a great job of keeping lock on satellites.
I can put the GPS in my backpack/Camelbak and hike/ride through the forest once I get to the trailhead.

Weaknesses:
One cable between the Visor and GPS (Bluetooth anyone?).
GPS battery meter does not like NiMH voltage levels, so I only get 2-3 hours from each charge. The 12V power adaptor for the GPS is essential.
Some downloaded Solus maps don't work.
Solus Pro 1.5 has a quirky interface and fixed zoom levels. Solus Pro 2.0 is behind schedule.
No sturdy/waterproof handlebar mount available for the Visor.

-WaC
Wayne

Edit: messed up URL's. GPS batteries.

[Edited by wac on 08-22-2000 at 01:09 PM]

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Hacienda Heights, Ca
Posts: 302

Very Cool!

Great details on your web site!!!

I also love the HUD!

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Bret Snyder<BR>If you don't know where you're going,<BR>You'll probably end up somewhere else.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 96

Hi Wayne:

quote:

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Originally posted by wac
I hope some people will find this to be of interest. I've been posting recently about using my Visor with a handheld Magellan GPS 315.

-WaC
Wayne

Edit: messed up URL's.

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

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

battery adapter for palm

What about...

Purchasing a good DC adapter for the car and using it with the Visor. Just make sure you get a good DC adapter. You don't want to fry the Visor. (now where do we find good DC adapters...I think Sony makes some)

You could cut some dowels to the same length as AAA batteries, set the DC adapter to 3 volts, and then connect the positive wire to one end of one dowel, and the negative to one end of the other dowel. (Don't forget to mark the dowels and make sure you put them in the visor correctly).

I have done this with some powered speakers in my car...about 10 years ago. But the amplifier in the speakers wasn't too picky about the voltage.

Do you think this will work? Or would you fry your visor?

Frank

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 38

Frank,
I don't see why your idea will not work. You really just need a 3V regulator for the 12V that your car provides. I would assume that any "quality" power supply will use a regulator and not a voltage divider to supply the lower voltage - just check it if you don't want to make the supply yourself. The Visor will only draw as much current as it needs, so as long as you don't put too much voltage in you should not "fry" anything.

Wayne,
Thanks for the updates, the pictures look very good. I too liked the HUD. Too bad the GPS does not like the NiMHs, do you know if other models/brands are any more "tolerant"? I will say that 2-3 hours is much longer than 0 hours with NiMHs in a HandyGPS.

- Ryan

[Edited by rdanell on 08-22-2000 at 11:14 AM]

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Lebanon, NH, USA
Posts: 40

Thanks for the compliments, guys.

Mike: the HUD works quite well. Response is quite a bit faster than mechanically damped analog gauges. However, the speedometer calibration is a bit off. It depends on the car, and mine reads about 2% high. It also took a while to train myself to look at it, but now I can drive "heads-up".

Frank: Yes, any half-decent voltage regulator will work. Like Ryan said, stay away from the multi-voltage versions, as their construction is usually of the autotransformer or voltage divider type, and will float quite high under low current drains. Sony or Radio Shack 3V CD/MD adaptors should have regulated outputs. Protecting against reverse polarity is as simple as adding a diode. I thought about making a "battery eliminator" like you suggested, but I'm quite happy with battery life with the NiMH's, and always keep a spare pair close by.

Ryan: During my GPS research, it sounded like all handhelds are calibrated for alkalines, since NiMH's weren't as popular or widely available only a short while ago. I hope the manufacturers are wise enough to add a battery type selector for future Flash ROM upgrades. Performance with NiMH's is still much better than the pitiful 0.5-1 hour I was getting with NiCd's.

-WaC
Wayne

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Posts: 30

Hey gang...

I believe I've come up with a pretty cool way to mount the Visor in your car, making it accessible and able to accomodate a connection to an external GPS (if so desired). (The short version follows. If any of you want more detail, just email me.)

First, I cut a window in the generic leather slipcase to the same size as the screen (it's not like the case is good for much else anyway!) I also cut a small hole in the bottom of the case, where the Visor's Hotsync connectors lie (this is for the purpose of attaching my newly purchased Magellan GPS 315, with a serial cable from Wayne - thanks!)

Then, to attach this setup to the car, I got inspiration from the swivel clip we all use for our cell phones. I attached the swivel button connector (for lack of a better phrase) to the backside of the leather slipcase. Then, to attach the beltclip to the steering wheel, I'm using the industrial strength version of Velcro, with the "hooks" stuck to the middle of the steering wheel, and the "loops" on the backside of the swivel clip. The idea here is to let the Visor turn freely as you turn the steering wheel. The screen will always remain upright!

Right now, this is all academic..... I have done everything I've described, except for testing it. I want to give the Velcro a full 24 hours to cure I'm sure it's going to work fine, I'll post an update tomorrow.

There are other variations on this, including using the clip on the slipcase itself, and attaching the button connector to the steering wheel instead. But for my situation, I believe this is a pretty good setup. Let me know what you think!
- Sean

Registered: Sep 2002
Location: Centerport, NY (about 50 km east of NYC)
Posts: 2

quote:

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Originally posted by sreidy
Then, to attach the beltclip to the steering wheel The idea here is to let the Visor turn freely as you turn the steering wheel.

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Good luck when the airbag goes off - you may find yourself going Cyborg against your will!

-lr

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_lr_ at yahoo.com