GPS upgrade that is used mobile only.

I have been reading old post here for 3 day, not that I am confused or anything like that. But here is what I desire. (love that word DESIRE) To us my fc30 in the car and get the best GPS signal possible. I have read all the posts about internal upgrades in chips/antenna used, Question is are todays USB GPS with external unit and antenna a better way to go.

Today I received my Ledco docking station, it has NO pass through antenna connections included. So I was reading and find tons on the issue, but I am still not clearly understand with computer mods to take the internal TB stock gps and rout its antenna to the docking station antenna port then add the connector to the docking station so to be able to get a simple cheap antenna out side the truckster.

This looks to me easier to go with:

Waterproof USB GPS Receiver | eBay

Just disable the internal gps and set it to allow the external gps to rule and leave it plugged into the docking station and call it upgraded.

Am I off base here or just out in left field???

 

Well first off I would ask, is there GPS already installed in your CF-30? If so, then what card is it?

That USB GPS is WAY overpriced for what it is (IMHO). If your not keeping (or disabling) your existing internal GPS, then there are a few questions to consider.

1) How scared are you to open your Toughbook up? Any "really good" option will require opening it up.
2) What is your budget? With $50, you can put together a very good setup. But it will be piecemeal, a module, antenna, GPS hump etc.
3) What are your limitations? Can you read electrical schematics? Solder? Fabricate? If the answer is "not really" then the best option is to buy a full fit.

The VERY BEST options out there are a few full install kits in the $100-170 range on ebay. There are Toughbook model specific with everything needed to install, and good directions to follow. There are 4-6 or so different kits. Custom Toughbooks seems to make most of them. Personally, I would not go with an OEM pull, but upgrade to an aftermarket DIY kit.

I am leaning towards the U-Blox based kits myself. I am not happy with my current Seirra Wireless WWAN setup.

 

I have used that exact style antenna and it was very good.
In your situation with the Ledco dock sans passthrough it makes a lot of sense to use one of these or similar semi-permanently attached in vehicle. If you have OEM GPS that will work when out of the vehicle.
Like I said make sense...but see my signature.

My best Gobi based gps is the CF-19MK4...good enough for MY purposes. The only one worth mentioning.

 

Time is not a issue, ability to read schematics not a problem. No i have open more complex electronics that a lap top in my years. Cost I would like to say is not a issue but I am trying to live on a retirement income. I have a small business that I can and will/deduct all expenses to this venture.

I just don't see the parts need hanging on trees to update the internal unit, then to adapt the docking station to except a common antenna.
When this external unit with antenna, power (by the usb) is almost a plug and play (so to speak)
I recently took my newly aquired cf30, M2, W7, 3 G ram, 160HD for a test drive. The Gps was so slow it took me over a block to acknowledge I was moving. My old Garmin streetpilot III is lightning compared to the results I got today form my Winfast Navigator v1.0.34 reading.

Ok the old street pilot (the brick) is ok I guess, but I can't see the dang screen. Getting old suck, I can't see $hit...

I am very happy with the computer over all. The issue is buying new more common available upgrades, or go internal and rebuild if from processor to the external antenna looks like 4 times the work when I don't need GPS in my house.

 

This USB external GPS is a good choice, GlobalSat BU-353. CAP recommends it as very accurate, it is rugged and waterproof, and about $15 less than the one in your other link

GlobalSat BU 353 Sirf III USB GPS Receiver 710348180332 | eBay

 

I guess with a semi permanent magnetic receiver/antenna fed to a USB on the back of the dockings station sounds so simple. Kind of like slam bang I am ready to travel. (Ok programing and software install)

The next big question is signal and speed of receiver and processing of the GPS signal to a mapping program. I was hoping with a dual core processor, 3G ram, usb v2.0, w7 that i feel works and responds quite well now. But the current GPS function is like a dinosaur speed.

Finding a docking station connectors and feed line looks like to be challenging (best case $30 plus s/h). But then I would need a cheap external antenna ( $10 plus s/h). Then upgrade the internal Gps ($25 plus s/h ) and re-route the antenna to the output to the back of the unit. Wow i am getting tire trying to explain it let alone chase it all down and reto-fit what I have.

Then to finish it out I will need a mapping program either way. Any suggestion?

 

As Springy said....Exactamundo....in fact my GPS unit may have come from Cap. CAP is the man as far as GPS goes. LISTEN to him.
Others, self included, play with this stuff....CAP uses it.

Nuf said..if you ain't 65 don't talk to me about old. rofl

Humor included no x-tra charge.

Jeff

 

I use MS Streets & Trips. I'm not a commercial driver but it works well for my needs. Got the 2011 version from Newegg on sale under $20, older versions even cheaper on the auction site.

 

For sure the USB plug in sounds like the route for you here then!

Me? I would make my own. Sorta... I am thinking about these for instance:
10Hz U-Blox GPS
USB to UART Cable

I have not tried these though. As I want an internal and clean install, these are not going to work as well as I would like. Unfortunately, as that GPS engine is pretty hardcore!

I have had good experiences with Garmin Mobile PC. It is not easy to find though as it was discontinued (maps are Garmin and still updatable). MS streets and Trips and Delorme also come highly recommended. I have used both these during some cross country trips with good success. But that was a while ago.

 

Thanks wonderl; I have used and like Garmin. But the new programs have less options for off road use. (primarily for trips and city). I help out a farmer during harvest and could use a better off-road program. Plus I do a lot of dowsing (finding water) a off-road program would be wonderful if it was very accurate.

I am leaning to Delorme Topco i believe it sounds more to my needs.

I ordered the usb-gps unit yesterday. Now if the weather was nice I'd get to working on this docking station. maybe i will find my 12v power supply and get it up and running. I plan on fabricating my own car stand.

 

The USGlobalSat Bu-353 is as good a GPS as you will ever need! It is as fast enough and more accurate than the georeferencing of any digital maps I have come across.
CAP

 

Yeah it would NOT be good for off-road use! I love Garmin products for simplicity in navigation on the streets though.

Very good to know. Maybe I will try one of those out?! My "way overpriced" comment was more geared towards the feeling it should be cheaper. Hopefully you got a good deal on it then. That link Springfield put up was a much more reasonable price I felt. :thumbsup:

Captain, how is the "building" penetration on that Bu-353? I saw some references to INSANE foliage and structure penetration on one of the U-Blox units. (At least I think it was in regards to a U-Blox...)

 

The BU-353 works fine at my kitchen table, on the dashboard of my truck, in the deep shade of the Redwood Groves up Jeff's way, deep in the urban canyons of Manhattan, even in the cabin of a Boeing 757 at 35,000 feet and 550 knots. I have never seen a cold start of more than a few seconds even when 3000 miles from the last acquisition. There are better GPSs out there, I have a couple which cost north of $12,000 and have used a couple which cost north of $80,000. Unless you are being paid to officially pee on the corner of someone's real estate you will never need one nor will you ever be able to afford software capable of rendering a position as accurately as that provided by the BU-353. It's not internal, I don't need internal, my cell phone does that.
CAP

 

Thanks CAP. I just spit coffee out of my nose! That is hilarious...

 

Where do I apply for THAT job......I have the qualifications needed and extensive experience.....

 

The GPS controled Auto steer in the tractor I use will tell me if the tractor is off its assigned track by 2". I don't really believe it but the steering will correct the direction of travel to stay on track. The cold boot time is like 5 minutes. once we get it zeroed in we don't turn it off till we are completely finished plowing/ripping. I goes into a sleep mode at nights.

 

Yeah... Some of the Trimble units can measure down to the inch. You don't need that level of precision for street navigation. Personally I like the modded GPS. I like my stuff internal so I can't lose it and don't have to worry about forgetting it. These are already heavy enough to carry around without having to worry about bringing other stuff along.

OEM GPS would most likely work for you... Or one of the talked about custom mods.

 

I once had a need for accuracy to 0.01', roughly 1/8". The Leica instrument we used cost $80K and required 2 1/2 hours to acquire a fix. That was corner peeing for the Coast Guard. dhardin, you probably have a Trimble, Hemisphere, or similar gps receiver in your tractor. They aren't that much more accurate than the USGlobalSat engines and probably some of the other manufacturers as well. Basically, consumer GPS got as good as it needs to be about 8 years or so ago with the Sirf III chip and you won't need anything better until they change the birds.
CAP

 

The OEM with no external antenna took right at a city block to recognize the car was moving. The USGlobalSat Bu-353 with the a magnet mounted unit on the roof is nearly instantaneous. The number of satellites receiver and the power signal from them was slightly better than OEM but the speed and response was 100 fold better.

I am very happy with this unit, been kinda busy with the holidays to do much on a mapping system and to mount (fabricate my own) stand I need for the Ledco docking station in my truckster. A few more up-grades and some better weather I will be set.

CAP. I have 2 tractors both with the Trimble units, one is motor driven control on the steering wheel in the cab to keep it on track. The other tractor has a custom power steering gearbox replacement to control the steering hydraulically. Can you say CA- CHING CA-CHING. The literature on this thing estimate a 2 year return and saving in product and time wasted with overlapping and skips with the best of driving skills. The GPS has proven to be cost effective and very true there is not missed spots and the accuracy is amazing and well worth the cost in today expensive chemical and fuel.

Interesting fact if both drivers set their GPS to a 12 degree off due North and south track. One tractor will be off by some 10 to 15 feet in a 1/2 mile row. What we have to do is the first tractor sets the 12 dedree track and the second tractor has to do what is call a A/B setting. "A" set when you start the first row along side of the other tractor. Then at the end of that row press "B" and it will perfectly match the other tractor perfectly.

Ain't technology wonderful.