mrx76

I am curious to know a bit more info on the device. Does it have any external interfaces/connectors (apart from power) to connect to modem unit or is the modem built in. What sort of connector is it.

Thinking of getting one and maybe utilising the GPS device for navagation/tracking purposes.

tiggers

No can do I'm afraid.

The unit is sealed (to make it weather proof) and the only interface it has is a bespoke one that plugs into the modem 'block' supplied with the unit for updating or the holder in the car.

The only indictaors are the LED's and there is no way to get any GPS info out of it which does seem like a crying shame. Still it's probably already saved my license so I'm not complaining.

Regards,

tiggers

Dave25

The modem is a separate box which the geodesy slips into. Once locked in it automatically dials up Morpheous, downloads updates and disconnects. All this activity is detailed through status lights on the device.

Morpheous are working on the satnav capabilities, indeed my Geodesy Plus has a different pin arrangement at the back, and when I registered I ticked the box to say I would like to know when it becomes available.

Dave.

mrx76

Very interesting that they are thinking of satnav capabilities. Maybe there are a couple of data pins on the port that will pass the GPS coords back like proper GPS units do. What sort of port is it, is it a few metal contacts or a proper port?

If that is the case it should be fairly easy to interpret the data and interface with sat nav software.

Gizmo555

Someone suggested you could interface it with a palm for GPS functionality. Can't remember where and the hell I read that
Will be looking into interfacing to iPAQ soon.

kryten

The Geodesy works really well, but I wouldn't hold your breath for the SatNav. Its been 'coming soon' since I got mine a year ago and slipped from Q1 to 'summer' to '????'.

mrx76

As long as you can query the GPS unit it shouldn't be a problem cos I will write some software to do it, I just don't want to waste 400 quid to find out it can't be done.

JackClark

You should give them a call.

mrx76

I emailed them to get a bit of tech info and they were not ot too helpful. Don't really think they want me to do it as they are probably working on their own system? But not sure maybe I will try again or just for the hell of it go out and get one anyway.

Are they any good, better than radar detectors?

kryten

I first asked them about the type of output (ie will it be NMEA) over a year ago. Got no useful response.

As it stands, the unit DOES NOT output any GPS data that you could tap into.

Doesn't matter now as I've got my iPaq and GPS Jacket anyway

Neil Smalley

I'm not surprised they were'nt too helpful. After all you're trying to reverse engineer their product. It may be possible to take the thing apart, decrypt the database or even trap the info being sent via the modem. But the question I would ask is, is it worth it?

BTW the Ipaq with GPS is so cool.

mrx76

It's not like I intend to steal business away from them or to make profit out of it it was simply to have a device that is not limited to only one functionality.

Found out that they are doing a "Navigational Interface" later this year which features a pc adaptor/interface and also an optional kit with a Palm PDA for SatNav capabilities.

Neil Smalley

Mrx

I know that, we know that. They don't unfortunatley.

jbryant

So if it has a modem block, can the unit be used without a PC? I've recommended this to a couple of friends but they were put off because they weren't connected, web-wise.

If it's stand-alone I'm sure they'd reconsider.

Joolz

Neil Smalley

Yes. It sits in it's own crade and does'nt need to be connected to anything except power and a phone line.

JackClark

Tried this week to get the UK maps for the iPAQ from the US, imense savings. No joy, Compaq have distribution rights in Europe and are selling at one hell of a markup.