[Florin] was given the task of repairing a GPS unit that wouldn’t boot up. What he found was unfortunately a bad processor. Fortunately, he was able to make a project out of it. After scavenging the good bits, the GPS module and the LCD, he set about making it a USB device. He now has an EEEpc with GPS.
ie some broken parts
Posted at 5:01 pm on May 24th, 2009 by pxd
I have Magellan Meridian Platinum with a smashed LCD screen (I drove over it!). Still powers up though. Have been wondering if I could strip it down and make it into a headless tethered GPS. Other than the standard serial NMEA output I do not think I have access or control of the other features of the GPS, like the temp/barometer, electronic compass which is a shame.
Posted at 11:30 am on May 25th, 2009 by sf
@sf , I don’t think the temp, barometer or electronics compass are fitted on the same module with the GPS chip. They are probably separate sensors. So I suggest you take it apart and take a look, maybe you can salvage something and turn it into something else. Good Luck
Posted at 11:57 am on May 25th, 2009 by youritronics
he could have burned some $30 and gone for a less power hungry usb-ready gps module.
Posted at 4:44 pm on May 25th, 2009 by gabriel
But then it wouldn’t be a jack then, now would it, Gabriel. Sure you’re browsing the right website?
Posted at 6:46 pm on May 25th, 2009 by zero
hack, even
Posted at 7:09 pm on May 25th, 2009 by zero
yes gabriel, I could of went with that, but I wouldn’t have any fun or satisfaction with that.
Posted at 11:48 pm on May 25th, 2009 by youritronics
Ok… so the newbie trick of salvaging parts from broken things is now a hack?
Tomorrow, we show you how to get a cup out of an empty pop bottle and the advanced hack of also getting a funnel from it!
This place is degrading rapidly.
Posted at 5:57 am on May 26th, 2009 by fartface
@ fartface
He recycled a broken device, built a USB/SERIAL interface and did a nice write up that can inspire others whom maybe unaware of such a ‘newbie trick’, more of that should be posted on here along with the extreme.
So fartface where’s your shit at by the way?
Posted at 6:12 am on May 26th, 2009 by sf
WTH? Since when isn’t using salvage parts not a hack? This not a hack crap is getting old. I guess I should forget about suggesting the projects that modded a new usb gps to fit inside a mini9, oh hell I’ll put think link here anyway.
http://www.mydellmini.com/forum/dell-mini-9-hardware-upgrades/155-integrated-gps-my-mini-9-a.html
http://preview.tinyurl.com/o4adop
Posted at 1:16 am on May 27th, 2009 by static
absolutely enjoyed bumping into your blog – I look forward for your next post
Posted at 9:44 pm on May 27th, 2009 by Andrew Wallace
@fatface, what you’re basically saying is we should ignore newbies and their projects. That’s not how you encourage the new generation of electronics hobbyists.
Posted at 2:54 pm on May 28th, 2009 by youritronics
Wonder what he’ll do with the display.
Posted at 4:16 am on May 30th, 2009 by DanAdamKOF
I’ll be impressed when the thousands of dollars, hours and neglect of my children actually results in something tangible for my family.
Posted at 6:37 am on Jun 18th, 2009 by gpstrackingdevice
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Nice daily hack from Caleb Kraft!
now all i need to do is buy myself some parts…
yay
Posted at 2:16 pm on May 24th, 2009 by an4rk