Using a GPS Receiver in the Car

[shldn]

hi guys,
i've been using gps with my carpc for a while now.
i use mapking (pc version) with the mumbai map when i'm in the city and google earth for outstation trips.
the gps app is embedded in the frontend or software interface that is used for the carputer, so you don't see the window frame etc.
here's a screenshot of it running in the frontend


here's another running with the window maximised in the frontend


a screenhot of it working in the carpc (s/w not embedded)


heres a pic to give you an idea of my screen mounted in the front. its a 7" TFT LCD touchscreen runnin at 800x600, 32bit resolution, so its bright & clear.

an actual pic of it in the car (not embedded again. note : exposure on the camera was turned all the way down to -2.0 because the lcd's bright)

will follow up with some clearer pics......

[shldn]

here's a day pic of the lcd. it can swivel & tilt as needed for better 'viewability'.


here's the bluetooth gps receiver placed under the windscreen.



pics of external gps antenna coming up...

[netarchie]

Shldn
Wow, Nice pics there, of your car PC, and by the way thanks for your email.
I cant wait to get the thing running in my car.

I will be further bothering you.

[netarchie]

I have a mounting device stuck to my dashboard. if you have suction mount, why would you want remove it frequently .. so it stays stuck. So I guess not damage to your sun film in the windshield.

[cheap_deal]

very informative thread. im on the lookout for a good bluetooth gps receiver, anyone used this one? it seems like new version of the holux gp 236
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Holux-GPSlim...QQcmdZViewItem

also how fast does it work with a pda over bluetooth? does it depend on the pda specs too?

[Jaggu]

if u want a pda gps go for one from hp or something.. ipaq hw 6900 egs.. unless u already have a pda which supports..

in india they charge 5k for a city map, works fine and bangalore map is quite comprehensive, was playing around last weekend with one and was fun, worked almost 90% of the time in the car, unless obstructed by very tall buildings, has some kewl voice assistance also .. yes speed will be dependent on the pda and this particular model had a 450 processor which was quite decent

[shldn]

Originally Posted by shldn

pics of external gps antenna coming up...

here's my external antenna.it has a strong magnetic base and just sticks on the roof . the wire is routed thru the rubber lining of the windscreen, and into the cabin. it plugs into the mmcx connector on the gps receiver. it definitely helps in getting a faster lock esp for cold starts of the receiver & in holding the signal once locked.

[ankur]

I just spoke to Nippon (sales agents of Satguide). They refused to sell me the Delhi map on its own. They said its for Rs. 3000 but i have to buy it with Destinator as a package for 10k.

Does anyone know where i can get just the map ?

thanks.

[manu]

I am yet to get the destinator map for delhi, but I did by the mapking one for delhi/NCR.
Have not been to delhi with it as yet, but i found that for most parts of New Gurgaon, there is an error in the map.
Like I am driving on the main sector road, and it thinks I am moving about in the wilderness nearby (some 100m away from the main road).
Anyone else faced this?
Is this an issue with the satguide (destinator) map as well?
It would suck if that is indeed the case. And letme see if I can get someone to sell me just the delhi map for destinator for 3k. I already have bot destinator 6 and am in no mood to shell out 10k.

[manu]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

yes speed will be dependent on the pda and this particular model had a 450 processor which was quite decent

I have had no problems with regards to performance with my KJAM using both mapking (delhi/NCR) and destinator maps (which I used extensively for a couple of weeks in US).
And KJAM has a 200 MHz OMAP processor.

[shldn]

Originally Posted by manu

Like I am driving on the main sector road, and it thinks I am moving about in the wilderness nearby (some 100m away from the main road).

this depends on your gps receiver and the no of satellites you've got a lock on. besides civilian gps has an accuracy of 30 mts i think. but if you've locked on to 3-4 satellites you should get a fairly accurate reading.
heres a screenshot of the satellite's locked on for mapking pc version.

[gd1418]

Well the Garmin map for Delhi & Mumbai that I have on my Garmin iQue 3200 is pretty accurate. I have not had the issues that you have mentioned about the mapking maps..

Originally Posted by manu

I am yet to get the destinator map for delhi, but I did by the mapking one for delhi/NCR.
Have not been to delhi with it as yet, but i found that for most parts of New Gurgaon, there is an error in the map.
Like I am driving on the main sector road, and it thinks I am moving about in the wilderness nearby (some 100m away from the main road).
Anyone else faced this?
Is this an issue with the satguide (destinator) map as well?
It would suck if that is indeed the case. And letme see if I can get someone to sell me just the delhi map for destinator for 3k. I already have bot destinator 6 and am in no mood to shell out 10k.

[manu]

hmm... yesterday I went to delhi and tried the mapking map... did not have this problem the moment I hit the mehrauli gurgaon road towards delhi.
before that the reading on the map was off by about 70-100 meters at least if not more.
While coming back, things were fine till I left the MG road and then it was once again confused - thought I was driving way off the main sector road.

And I always have 4-5+ satellites locked on - so that does not seem to be the issue..
So I guess the map DOES have a problem with the new gurgaon areas (dlf ph 1, 4, 5, Sector 54, 55, 56, etc areas.

gd1418, I see you are from gurgaon, so the garmin map gives you good results on the sector road going from mega mall/bristol hotel to Sector 55-56?

[gd1418]

Yup. It gives correct results. I've marked my house as a waypoint. And when I go on the navigate mode, it charts the route correctly.

Originally Posted by manu

gd1418, I see you are from gurgaon, so the garmin map gives you good results on the sector road going from mega mall/bristol hotel to Sector 55-56?

[manu]

Originally Posted by gd1418

Yup. It gives correct results. I've marked my house as a waypoint. And when I go on the navigate mode, it charts the route correctly.

Thanks for the inputs gd1418.
I shall try with destinator map for delhi which I should have by Tuesday only because of the diwali vacation.
Shall post if that gives better results, at least for gurgaon.

I dont think i can run the que software with delhi map on any PDA, I need a garmin gps is what I heard. Is that right?