D.I.Y. Bluetooth GPS

ciagon · 04-26-2004, 02:02 AM

I was thinking of ways to make a cheap Bluetooth GPS Reciever.

This is what I am thinking about:
* http://store.yahoo.com/micro-plus-store/blpaprad.html (Bluetooth to Parallel port $50)
* Deluo Serial GPS ($90)
* Atmel AVR Microprocessor ($8)
* Misc parts (??)

The AVR would simply translate input from the serial port, and spit it out on the parallel port. Looks like the GPS will want 5v, the Blurtooth adaptor will want 6v (@ 1A!!!) and the AVR can be 3 or 5v (i think).

Is there any reason this will not work? I can write the PC software pretty easily, and the AVR code should be pretty trivial.

Is there any advantage to paying the extra $100 to get a real Blurtooth GPS reciever?

--Tom

rando · 04-26-2004, 02:12 AM

The latest Delorme is USB out of the box, supports serial with an optional cable, and Bluetooth with an add-on sleeve. IIRC, the bluetooth add-on was around $100. Your option is $58+ + your time to develop it.

Just something to think about.

ciagon · 04-26-2004, 02:42 AM

It looks like the new Earthmate is $130, plus $150 for the bluetooth adaptor, for a total of $280.

My solution would be 50+90+15 = $155, and it might make for some fun hardware hacking.

I really wish I could find a bluetooth-to-serial or 802.11-to-serial adaptor for less than $75. That would make this whole thing a lot easier.

Another question: Does it even make sense to look at serial over IR? Seems like the sun would get in the way, and cause lots of problems.

--Tom

jayzhcn · 04-27-2004, 01:49 AM

http://www.buygpsnow.com/
and http://www.semsons.com/
have bluetooth GPS under $200

rando · 04-27-2004, 02:23 AM

Delorme frequently offers a rebate on the Earthmate that makes it closer to $100. Also, it's available new or used on ebay for under $100. The Bluetooth Power Pack includes an Li-Ion battery and AC Charger. You probably wouldn't need those for in-car use but they could come in handy if you want take the GPS with you to use with your PDA while hiking in the mountains/woods.

In all, your solution might be cheaper (if you've counted all the cost) and assuming your time isn't worth much and/or you just enjoy the hardware/software hacking.

Here is a serial Bluetooth adapter.
http://www.lintech.de/english/Produc...ooth/rs232.pdf

Here is a serial 802.11b adapter.
http://www.otcwireless.com/802/wiser.htm

Ricky327 · 04-27-2004, 06:31 PM

But why do you want a bluetooth on your car PC

You still need to run a power cable atleast into the PC and power into your bluetooth. The solution is never gonna be wireless anyway.

A friend bought a bluetooth GPS for the PDA, hes getting annoyed cause he need to charge up the battery each time.

Ricky327 · 04-27-2004, 06:37 PM

You probably wouldn't need those for in-car use but they could come in handy if you want take the GPS with you to use with your PDA while hiking in the mountains/woods.

It still make we wonder where the bluetooth GPS can be used? I though a FLASH or PCMCIA GPS is still a better solutions since the power is taken directly from the PDA. Do GPS really need to be away from the PDA...GPS sharing perhaps?