Bluetooth GPS advantage

CarTotal · 07-04-2006, 09:25 AM

Hee everyone,

my first question on this forum.
As i've read alot here on Mp3car I noticed some problems here and there.
Hopefully by making the right choises I can avoid those problems myself.

For example; when you try to share the GPS data between two or more programs at the same time. It gives problems because only one program has the rights to read/write that COM port.
The solution for this would be an extra virtual COM-port.

Now, I wonderd if you'd had the same problem for BlueTooth GPS mouses.
The data could be received by the bluetooth dongle and used several times.. Or am I wrong on this one?
I can't seem to find any people with this problem who uses bluetooth GPS. Maybe thats simply because it isn't a problem..?

Sonicxtacy02 · 07-04-2006, 09:49 AM

same issue. bluetooth gps devices use virtual serial ports. Only one program per port. However, if you search for xport3 its your solution. Splits one port into many other ports so you can use however many gps programs you want

CarTotal · 07-04-2006, 10:28 AM

Aah oke, too bad though...

but thanks for the answer!

,

Richard van Naam

tom2112 · 07-06-2006, 08:41 AM

I had a bluetooth GPS for a little while. I found that it was a hassle to turn the GPS on every time I got in the car. That may sound silly, but it had a small button, and I had to keep the GPS handy, and it was just aggravating.

Also another problem is recharging the GPS battery. If I didn't turn the GPS off, it would idle for a while and then shut off. But that drained the battery eventually, and I would have to leave the GPS in the house on the charger. Then I would forget it was in the house, and leave without it, and not have GPS. It was just a pain in the rear.

I finally bought a USB GPS and have been happy ever since.

Sonicxtacy02 · 07-06-2006, 08:55 AM

yes i see no benefit to having a bluetooth gps other than you can switch it around in multiple cars. I have a BU-353 USB mounted on my roof and its all i'll ever need.

jizzajam · 07-06-2006, 09:14 AM

The only time I've seen a bluetooth gps be have an advantage over wired was when a customer requested the Emtac Trine, that has four serial profiles to connect to, so four users can connect to one GPS.
Also, bluetooth GPS is great for PDA users on the go.

The main downside is the connection tends to go down intermittently. we had to modify our software to reconnect when the connection was lost. Most commercial software isn't set up to do this so you'll have to reconnect manually. really annoying

CarTotal · 07-14-2006, 07:02 AM

mmm

Well, the GPS was with bluetooth included. I can use it without bluetooth (somehow) so if eventually i see it as a problem i'll switch to USB.

I am able to power the device exterinally, so there is no hassle with loading or switching on the device.
Hopefully this Navigon GPS wont give me anymore trouble then it already does

Chris31 · 07-14-2006, 07:52 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by CarTotal

mmm

Well, the GPS was with bluetooth included. I can use it without bluetooth (somehow) so if eventually i see it as a problem i'll switch to USB.

I am able to power the device exterinally, so there is no hassle with loading or switching on the device.
Hopefully this Navigon GPS wont give me anymore trouble then it already does

I bought a generic BT GPS with RFMD chipset.

Reason why is because if let say my carPC refuse to boot up, I can use mine/friend phone/PDA/laptop to connect to the BT GPS and use it for emergency navigation.

The BT GPS unit can be hacked such that the NMEA serial output is fed to a SERIAL<>USB dongle and connect it directly to the carPC. The carPC does not need the BT, the BT is only used for anyone with a mobile device wanting to connect to the GPS via BT.

As for powering the BT GPS, turning on automatically, removing the battery...again it can be modified so it does so when the car ignititon is switched on. An external antenna is connected to it and the BT GPS unit + PSU + controller + USB dongle are all hidden, tucked away somewhere. Only the attenna is exposed of course

So far I havent bothered to hacked the BT GPS unit, but im in the process of doing so. Thats the plan anyway

Sure I could have bought a USB GPS and connect a SERIAL<>BT converter. Or maybe just buy a standard serial GPS then add a SERIAl<>USB + SERIAL<>BT. I would achieve the same thing but SERIAL<>BT is rare and damn expensive.