Mapping Software and GPS Receivers

Cadillac,

Thanks for the OEM GPS pin out. It will get me started.


Recon

 

Hey Recon

I don’t want to sound like a Richard Head but you need to go back and look at the pin out I posted on page “3” of this Thread then look at the pin out on page “5” of this same Thread and you will notice the one on page five is your module the 12 Channel Lassen IQ.
First I want to say that I don’t think that every one with a screwdriver and a soldering iron should open their computer and start connecting wires to the little shinny things to see what happens. There is a real chance you will “F” something up and I don’t want to be the guy you quote when you say “I was just following Cadillac’s suggestions and now my computer is a door stop” anyway this can be a fun little project for the right guy or gal if you slow down and read and reread make sure you understand what we did to get ours to work if not ask one of the guys here they all seem real helpful and only want to see you succeed.

PLEASE READ before you start a GPS mod http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=189644 .

Let’s keep this Thread to plug and play and use the one above for the Mod’s


I’m not trying to encourage or discourage anyone from trying any of the mod’s you read about on this forum just remember all those little black things on the green thing inside your computer have magic smoke inside just waiting to get out.

Wish you all good luck!

Jim

 

Yea, I switched threads and posted relevant information in it. (where to get the GPS board).

Thanks,

Recon

 

Cadillac,

The pic of my antenna mount. Sorry, I don’t have my high res camera and had to use my phone. I will post some better ones later.

Regards,

Recon

 

Cool thanks for the photo.
Im going to start my antenna mount soon and like to see what every one else is doing.
Please post on the other Thread for me, all the things you like and dislike about the antenna and mounting you used. This may be helpful for me as well as others.

Thanks
Jim

 

In regards to mapping software, I have tried MS Mapoint, and Delorme Streets and Atlas 2007 + for navigation. Even though I have some issues with Delorme (not updated, and can't zoom out when in GPS mode), I like the Delorme more than MS for nav.

I don't know if anyone else here has tried it, but I also have started using OziExplorer which is a raster based mapping solution vs a vector based mapping solution (like Delorme ect). Its a very nice compliment to the nav type maps because it lets you import various maps for use (like USGS topo maps for example). Really any map you can scan you can use, and it supports import for a lot of formats as well.

Since I spend a lot of time in a Jeep in the backcountry of the four corners states, its real nice to see where I am in regards to a topo vs. a street (since I may not be on one).

There are also a lot of plugins for it, and it supports a LOT of GPS units (both my Delorme USB/Bluetooth and my Garmin 60 work).

In general, it gives you a LOT more control over your maps, and will even allow you to import GIS data if you like.


As another aside, I have been lurking here quite a bit reading through the internal GPS post, and while my geek side really likes the idea, my pragmatic side keeps saying "You need to carry that GPS with you when you leave the Jeep, and its a LOT lighter than that toughbook...". So for now, I think I am sticking with the external GPS connected via serial.

PS. The USGS topo maps are copyright free - you can use them as you like, so try not to buy them, you can download them for free!

 

On a related note, there is a guy Whithaiger, who created a plugin for OziExplorer, and its a real nice feature if you like exploring old mines.

My sons and I spent a lot of time last summer digging through tailing piles... Basically, it puts waypoints into OziExplorer for all the mines listed in the USGS mines database. It includes things like what minerals were produced for the mines... I find it very handy in locating those nice abandoned mines...

 

My brother uses MapPoint for his work (repo guy in Los Angeles), and seems to like it. It's essentially a professional version of Streets and Trips, which we have on our laptops.

I'm always up for trying new software though.

 

Hey Cadillac!
I too wish that there was someone that I could have talked to before spending money, but more costly, time, in my quest for a good gps program. The sole reason that I got into computers, & then Toughbooks, was for gps for my vehicles. It took me quite a few years to finally arrive at what I felt like where a couple of good, reliable programs. I mean that I was the one out there using these things everyday so I could personally evaluate them. Not rely on someone else's opinion. I have not tried them all, as at this point there are some really amazing commercial mapping programs out there that cost an amazing amount of money, but once you really get into the gps mapping stuff, you find that it becomes pretty specific to certain things. ie roadmapping, topogrophy, aviation, marine, & especially region. If you are running local trucks (just a guess) believe it or not, the google maps program (the one you subscribe to so you can use it with gps) cannot be beat! I feel the main reason for this is that it is updated continuesly by users (meaning everyday) so you have the most up to date information available. It is also VERY comprehensive, & even offers topogrophy. It is also VERY cheap! For over the road programming I finally settled on ALK. The copilot truck program is very good, and is actually made for touchscreens, and the pc miler is of course better and is the most in use programming for over the road. I could talk at great lengths about over the road gps programs. I also used the computers for active linking to DDEC and ATEC, and to the generator. They also provided wifi in the bus via wireless router. I was going to get to the point of active linking to each unit, so I could monitor vehicle performance from home base. But thankfully, I am finally out of the bus buisiness. So now I just play with these things.
Sorry about the misspelled words, I am in a hurry!
Oh yea, the bluetooth gps works great! If you don't like cables, its a really good option.
Good Luck!

 

Thanks Rockstar
CoPilot Truck looks very similar to what I’m using now and I will have to give it a try next time I need to update.

 

I suggest to check AllPinouts ( http://www.allpinouts.org ), the world's largest pinouts archive.

They have a lot of GPS pinouts at the following page:
http://www.allpinouts.org/index.php/Category:GPS_Connectors

Note that this Website is a wiki that uses the same engine as Wikipedia which allows anyone to edit and add and comment.

 

electricerika... Welcome to the forum and thanks for the GREAT link!

 

PHP:

So was this the gps board? What else was included?

 

We'll never know... Tiger never stocked the board. (As they do/don't with so many products.) What they do on a lot of orders is when you pay for the item... It is drop-shipped to you from the manufacturer... Panasonic doesn't make these boards anymore... So you have to look elsewhere. Ebay or forum members here are your best bet. You could try to advertise as a "Wanted" item in the BST forum at the top of the page. I have bought A LOT of these boards... Typically called CF-28 RIM boards or CF-28 daughterboards or sister boards. I've paid anywhere from $10 to $40 for one. The prices have gone up a little but I wouldn't pay the $60 for the one advertised on ebay! YIKES!!!

BTW... Just for S&Gs... I ordered one of the boards from TigerDirect.... About 4 months later they emailed me to let me know that they were no longer in production... something that I had already learned, shortly after ordering the board from them.

Hope this helps!

Have a great weekend!


Rick