[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.
Nice daily hack from Caleb Kraft!
now all i need to do is buy myself some parts…
yay
ie some broken parts
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.
@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
he could have burned some $30 and gone for a less power hungry usb-ready gps module.
But then it wouldn’t be a jack then, now would it, Gabriel. Sure you’re browsing the right website?
hack, even
yes gabriel, I could of went with that, but I wouldn’t have any fun or satisfaction with that.
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.
@ 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?
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
absolutely enjoyed bumping into your blog – I look forward for your next post
@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.
Wonder what he’ll do with the display.
I�ll be impressed when the thousands of dollars, hours and neglect of my children actually results in something tangible for my family.