Thread: pda for datalogging & mp3 files?

Originally Posted by kgj

i have 90 eclipse & a pda which i use for a datalogger. i have the mmcd software loaded in the pda (palm iiix) & i love it. recently though i have been rethinking my whole stereo & electronics setup. i was thinking of gettting rid of my multidisc cd-changer & getting a stereo receiver that plays mp3 files or an ipod music file via an external input. then i got to thinking why not swap out my pda too with one that can do both datalogging & play mp3 files? my goal is to have a pda with mmcd datalogger loaded on it that i could also plug into my (car) stereo receiver to listen to the stored mp3 files. is this do-able??

Good idea. How about the Palm Tungsten W? It's a PDA phone with a built-in earphone plug and it still uses the standard HotSync cradle/cable from the Palm m500 series handhelds. It's also under the list of supported devices for the MMCd software. I just don't know if it supports MP3 playback. If it does, I'm going for the same set-up.

Originally Posted by kgj

Do any of these pda's have serial connection ports (or accept serially transmitted data) for data logging from my car's ECU?

Typically, PDAs don't have serial conenctions. You might find one with a USB connection, which is a serial connection, but you'd need a USB OBD cable. Realistically, I'd look into a bluetooth OPBD reader and a PDA with bluetooth capability (either built-in or available as an additional module). That might be the best solution.

i noticed on the list of compatible units a "palm tungsten w". anyone familiar with this unit? i have looked on palm's webiste but they did not show the detail i need. i tried to compare it on pricegrabber too, but they don't even list the unit.

I believe that Palms Tungsten line is no longer made. That would explain why you're finding very little about those models.

Originally Posted by kgj

Do any of these pda's have serial connection ports (or accept serially transmitted data) for data logging from my car's ECU? i think the OBD-I protocol is to transmit data serially.

Most of the recent PDAs have serials. I'll name a few for you.
Dell Axim x*
HP iPaq hx*/rx*
Palm Tungsten T3/T5/TX/Treo etc
Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

I believe that Palms Tungsten line is no longer made. That would explain why you're finding very little about those models.

Hmm I think it is little tough to say. Tugnsten's current model is TX, but they target to Treo 600/700 mostly these days. Those phones also have serial available through the Mutli Connector.

Originally Posted by prodigi

Good idea. How about the Palm Tungsten W? It's a PDA phone with a built-in earphone plug and it still uses the standard HotSync cradle/cable from the Palm m500 series handhelds. It's also under the list of supported devices for the MMCd software. I just don't know if it supports MP3 playback. If it does, I'm going for the same set-up.

i'm not sure about the m series, but i know the tunsten w (TW) will not fit my palm iiix cradle. http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65651

& from what i know it can support mp3 files, but there may be some other acessories needed to make it happen?

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

Typically, PDAs don't have serial conenctions. You might find one with a USB connection, which is a serial connection, but you'd need a USB OBD cable. Realistically, I'd look into a bluetooth OPBD reader and a PDA with bluetooth capability (either built-in or available as an additional module). That might be the best solution.


I believe that Palms Tungsten line is no longer made. That would explain why you're finding very little about those models.

thanks darque. i know what bluetooth is but not OPBD. what is that?

yes its true the TW is no longer made, but it's not an issue obtaining it. i just got my palm iiix earlier this year off ebay & have been able to find info for it. i have been able to find info on the TW too, but not the specific info i was requesting. (at least not until recently )

Originally Posted by jbors

Hmm I think it is little tough to say. Tugnsten's current model is TX, but they target to Treo 600/700 mostly these days. Those phones also have serial available through the Mutli Connector.

So it's a serial port or a USB port through an add-on adapter?
Good thing to know, although it's not anything I'd need.

Originally Posted by kgj

thanks darque. i know what bluetooth is but not OPBD. what is that?

That would be a typo. It should be OBD.

Hi.

I've used my Palm Tungsten T3 in the car for music playback before, and i know that it has both USB and serial communications.

However, I think you'd get a little unstuck as you couldn't do both datalogging and music playback at the same time ( if that's what you wanted to do ) without some nasty hacking of code.... the palm's can only run one program at once as far as i'm concerned.

Good luck with it though!

Wolfsbane2k

Originally Posted by Wolfsbane2k

However, I think you'd get a little unstuck as you couldn't do both datalogging and music playback at the same time ( if that's what you wanted to do ) without some nasty hacking of code.... the palm's can only run one program at once as far as i'm concerned.

Not exaclty, PalmTunes and other music players can play in the background just fine on Palm. Even though blocking datalogging may have some side effects
So I would also recommend Win/Lin based systems.

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

So it's a serial port or a USB port through an add-on adapter?
Good thing to know, although it's not anything I'd need.

Actually they all have serial along with USB available on the connector at the bottom. If you need connectors there is a gomadic.com for it along with pinouts and stuff.