5hz GPS antenna w/USB?

**sxott** · 10-16-2009, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by bmcmullin

I am searching without success for a 5Hz (5 updates per second) roof mount GPS antenna/receiver.

We are currently using the Garmin 18x 5Hz but it has a serial connection and requires a wonky USB adaptor which is causing other problems (like sometimes when you reboot the XP thinks the serial adaptor is some type of ballpoint pointing device!!) Garmin's USB version of this only outputs the proprietary Garmin protocol.

The antenna is being used in a street-level imaging application (like Google Street View) so the more frequent updates are necessary for geocoding the images.

Any suggestions or links appreciated.

Regards,

Bill McMullin

Hey Bill are you still around? Where did you find the USB adapter?

I have the garmin 18x 5HZ and was trying to wire it up, but the wiring diagram is strange.

The yellow wiring is shown just dangling and doing nothing. Is that correct?

I was wondering about attaching the red wire to a USB cable to provide 5V input. Is that what you did? Or did you by a cable to do it for you? Thanks for any help. And as to the USB option no I haven't seen one. Alternatively I could get a 5volt battery I guess. That would be the proper way, but then the battery would die often.

BTW I soldered to the 5 volt line from the computer power supply and hooked it up but Windows did not recognize any device connected. Is there something one needs to do with serial port connection to wake windows up to them? (The yellow is still just floating in space for now).

edit: Well I guess I am just ignorant. I got the stuff for the other 18x models and lo and behold I could communicate with my GPS and read it and so on. Do RS232 GPSes not need a driver then? I can't find one on Garmin's site for it. I need to rewire the compute a bit though so I can put a fuse in the connection and make it a proper plug instead of just have a wire sticking out from the case.

**bmcmullin** · 10-18-2009, 08:21 PM

Regarding the wiring question, I'll have to ask one of my engineers who rigged it up.

We have since found a much better solution, which is a 5Hz GPS receiver/antenna/puck with a native USB connection. It is from GlobalTop out of Taiwan. Unfortunately they have no distribution for the product in the US, so we had to order samples directly, which they shipped via FedEx, all for a very reasonable fee. Hard to believe, but it appears they have the only roofmount, waterproof, USB GPS receiver that operates at 5Hz. In fact, the change log in the manual suggests they can make it operate at 10Hz!

If you or anyone want the PDF spec sheet please email or PM me with your email address.

Bill McMullin

**_Dejan_** · 10-19-2009, 01:15 AM

Originally Posted by bmcmullin

Regarding the wiring question, I'll have to ask one of my engineers who rigged it up.

We have since found a much better solution, which is a 5Hz GPS receiver/antenna/puck with a native USB connection. It is from GlobalTop out of Taiwan. Unfortunately they have no distribution for the product in the US, so we had to order samples directly, which they shipped via FedEx, all for a very reasonable fee. Hard to believe, but it appears they have the only roofmount, waterproof, USB GPS receiver that operates at 5Hz. In fact, the change log in the manual suggests they can make it operate at 10Hz!

If you or anyone want the PDF spec sheet please email or PM me with your email address.

Bill McMullin

Which chipset use? Venus634LPx which I use can do 10Hz without problems...

**Queenambeach** · 10-22-2009, 09:14 AM

10Hz bluetooth GPS receiver for $60. You can also get a 5Hz GPS receiver for $30.
Just make sure that your navigation software allows more than a 1Hz refresh rate.
http://www.buygpsnow.com/wintec-g-ra...mount-834.aspx

**Sicarius** · 10-22-2009, 03:01 PM

I have that Wintec receiver. After using it for a while now, I'm not sure I can really recommend it.

It "usually" works but it can have some issues coming back after hibernation sometimes. The device will be connected and sending data but refuses to get a lock (or even see any satellites, sometimes). A power cycle usually brings it right back. However, this means that I can't mount it under the dash yet as I occasionally need to have physical access to it to hit the power button.

I have it connected via USB but there is no option to disable bluetooth. It does not come on with USB so it has to be left on permanently.

When it does work, it's pretty good, though. 10Hz as advertised and GMPC is able to deal with the high update rate (but doesn't necessarily update the display that fast)

**trader007** · 10-22-2009, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by Sicarius

I have that Wintec receiver. After using it for a while now, I'm not sure I can really recommend it.

It "usually" works but it can have some issues coming back after hibernation sometimes. The device will be connected and sending data but refuses to get a lock (or even see any satellites, sometimes). A power cycle usually brings it right back. However, this means that I can't mount it under the dash yet as I occasionally need to have physical access to it to hit the power button.

I have it connected via USB but there is no option to disable bluetooth. It does not come on with USB so it has to be left on permanently.

When it does work, it's pretty good, though. 10Hz as advertised and GMPC is able to deal with the high update rate (but doesn't necessarily update the display that fast)

unfortunately it seems all the gps devices run into those problems. but its interesting what you say about GMPC, do you mean that even though you have 10hz it only refreshes the screen at 1hz like normal? so really its a wash to have the 10hz receiver?

**FPeter** · 10-23-2009, 12:47 AM

here are 2 pics of my pre-alpha-beta version MTK3329 receiver:

there is no problem around hibernation - but i have problem with forcing it to permanent 5Hz. works well with temp switch command, its running on 5Hz as designed - but it goes back to 1Hz in every cold boot. but nothing happens when i use the permanent rom writing option... i will discuss it with distributor, it should work somehow... when its ok too, i will fabricate the board for it...

the display update rate depends on the software. for example, iGO is able to handle faster refresh rate - You will see much more rapid speed response...

**Sicarius** · 10-26-2009, 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by trader007

unfortunately it seems all the gps devices run into those problems. but its interesting what you say about GMPC, do you mean that even though you have 10hz it only refreshes the screen at 1hz like normal? so really its a wash to have the 10hz receiver?

No, not 1Hz, but definitely not 10. If I only have the speed display up, it updates at around 5Hz, the map view might be around 1-3Hz. I think the limiting factor here is my CPU as I only have a 1.2GHz Celeron and I'm getting 100% utilization when the map's up.

**trader007** · 10-26-2009, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Sicarius

No, not 1Hz, but definitely not 10. If I only have the speed display up, it updates at around 5Hz, the map view might be around 1-3Hz. I think the limiting factor here is my CPU as I only have a 1.2GHz Celeron and I'm getting 100% utilization when the map's up.

oh, yeah likely that is the case. if your cpu is pegging then its not going to run smooth..

**trader007** · 11-08-2009, 11:11 PM

i just ordered one of these- http://www.amazon.com/BT-Q890-Keycha...7738817&sr=8-7 looks like a good value. 5hz that seemingly works well, even if you want to use both usb and bluetooth at the same time. price is right too at $50.