to all with handheld GPS mounts

owenjh · 09-01-2004, 08:45 PM

Hey, I made this unit because I wanted a better way then having to plug the cable into my GPS reciever everytime I got in the car and I didn't want to leave it in the car all the time. It is a radio shack suction Cell Phone Holder that was on sale for $9.99 I drilled a hole for the back with a dremel, cut the back of the casing so that the pfranc connector could fit thru, made a cable using the pfrac connector and then assembeled everything together. I had problems with my first cable, it came loose and the computer kept losing signal, I just redid the cable, and it seems to work alot better then before. Any way here are the pictures, if you would like more pictures or information let me know. I was going to make a how-to but its pretty self explanatory. btw the GPS reciever is an oldschool garmin GPS 12 and it uses the 5 pin garmin connector.

- edit Wow sorry about the bad pictures, they came from an intel cam I won, will submit more pictures as there is a lack of them

owenjh · 09-02-2004, 04:40 PM

Any coments/questions on this? I want to hear feedback!

jcdillin · 09-02-2004, 10:12 PM

I like it, mine is setup almost the same way except I used a GPS 48 which has a BNC plug for the antenna so I could reroute the antenna to a better place

owenjh · 09-04-2004, 12:04 PM

Did you have any problems with GPS timing out?? Im having problems at the moment, I think its because the pins arn't long enough to go thru the extra plastic. it works untill you close it, which is a pain because you can't operate it with it open... I wouldn't mind an external antenna for mine... maybe they have a mod for it :-P

jcdillin · 09-04-2004, 12:16 PM

no none, but I did change the connecter to a dsub I didnt want to spend the money on the combo data/power cable. I pulled my gps 12 apart thinking the same thing. I added a antenna on a foot long high grade coax and it made it worse, I dont think the reception circuts are very good in it. because I used the same cable and antenna for my 48 and it improved greatly. But I think after all this I am going to the gps76 which my friend has and it locks in like 5 secs warm

owenjh · 09-04-2004, 09:58 PM

I don't have a problem with my 12 really, it just takes a minute to lock. The problem im having is my cable not making a good connection. Guess I will ripp it apart again and see if I can fix it. Im making my data/power cable, but I have to get the data part working first :-P you can buy the plugs from pfranc.com I got 3 plugs for $15 shipped. Its a great service.