Cheap gps mouse?

[festy]

Anybody seen these?
http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/global-positioning-receiver-gps/
$40, for what looks like a ps/2 GPSr. The site gives no information, other than saying "you will need a Y splitter COM/PS2 cable for your device" - I assume this only applies for PDAs and the like, and it's really a standard PS/2 interface?
If so, it looks like a bargain and I'll grab one to see how it goes...

[festy]

Well, I got one. It's a Navius NSA-R3, SiRF II chipset, PS/2 plug. Now I just need to make up a DB9 adapter to try it out...

[festy]

I raided some old projects for a PS/2 and DB9f plug, wired them up, ran 5v from the PC's PSU and it's up an running.
SiRFDemo reports s/w version 220.006.000ES - I assume that's 2.2?

Anyway, even though it's a SiRFII chipset I'm still very happy with it - $49 delivered and it's got a fix with 6 sats from my loungeroom :food-smil

[Gramps]

Festy,

I'd classify that as a win :party-smi :party-smi :party-smi

[arthurking83]

Sounds good!

is initial acquisition fast too?

[festy]

I'm not sure yet - I haven't used it outside yet :sad-smile

I have a strange feeling it will be quicker than my Geko to get a fix,
but so would a compass and sextant :violent-s

[the evil twin]

I raided some old projects for a PS/2 and DB9f plug, wired them up, ran 5v from the PC's PSU and it's up an running.
SiRFDemo reports s/w version 220.006.000ES - I assume that's 2.2?

Anyway, even though it's a SiRFII chipset I'm still very happy with it - $49 delivered and it's got a fix with 6 sats from my loungeroom :food-smil

G'day Festy,

Whats the latest now you have had it a couple of weeks?
They are still on sale at deals direct atm...so will try one (or two) :laughing- meself if they work OK

I am assuming from the photo that the plug on the unit is PS/2 and you wire it across to a DB9 for the comm port on the PC...is that correct?

[festy]

Still happy with it :) It would be nice if it had a USB interface, but I'm not complaining.
Yes, PS/2 style plug, wire tx/rx/gnd to a DB9 and supply 5v from somewhere (PS/2 port, USB port etc).

Here's the product brochure, complete with pinouts.

[hangover]

It should work with a ps2 to usb adapter like for mice ?

[festy]

No, I don't think that would work.
These aren't a PS/2 interface, they're a RS-232 interface with a mini-din plug - that happens to be the same shape as a PS/2 plug.

[hangover]

I thought that may be too easy, i tried to open the pdf of the manual but it came up as a php file instead ? Is db9 your standard serial plug - ie old mouse type ?

[the evil twin]

G'day H,

Festy's PDF opens OK for me but has a few weird side effects (opens two screens and this site goes blank and I have to back arrow my browser) and Yes, the DB 9 is your standard everyday com port connector for RS232 and a multitude of other purposes so both connectors are like about $4.00

At $65ish for a Sirf II GPSr mouse I might grab one.
Then I can hardwire it into the GQ Patrol I just bought as part of my "car 'poota toy" Project. I am using a rat chewed old Toshy Sat Pro 4280 hidden away, digital radio Trackball mouse.

[hangover]

They are on special $39.95 + $9.95 postage, to get this to work on a pda could i modfiy a spare sync cable and plug the gps direct to the pda with maybe power to both ? GPSOZ have leads but at $100 it defeats the purpose of a cheap gps mouse.

And even better, free postage when you use paypal !

[festy]

does your spare sync cable have a db9 serial port? if so, just use a null modem, or wire the GPSr's db9 backwards (swap pins 2 and 3 on the db9) and it will work

[the evil twin]

And even better, free postage when you use paypal !

Yep, don't mind teh deals direct site at all...I've bought a fair bit of stuff off them now and never had a problem

Unfortunately the free post promo doesn't start till tomorra and I wanted one of the 5" TFT displays ASAP anyhow so I ordered both the GPSr and the Display the other day (the display sold out sometime yesterday so I just snuck under the wire there...more on the way apparently)

I anticipate the GPSr cost will be $40 plus $10 (shipping if no Pay Pal) plus $5 GST plus up to $10 for connectors, backshells and cable for those who don't have any lying around...so $60 to 65 should cover it...still a good enuf deal for most.

[hangover]

Yep, don't mind teh deals direct site at all...I've bought a fair bit of stuff off them now and never had a problem

Unfortunately the free post promo doesn't start till tomorra and I wanted one of the 5" TFT displays ASAP anyhow so I ordered both the GPSr and the Display the other day (the display sold out sometime yesterday so I just snuck under the wire there...more on the way apparently)

I anticipate the GPSr cost will be $40 plus $10 (shipping if no Pay Pal) plus $5 GST plus up to $10 for connectors, backshells and cable for those who don't have any lying around...so $60 to 65 should cover it...still a good enuf deal for most.

It starts today, i just ordered one with no postage !
I might have to call into Jaycar and get the other bits, i would like to have this semi permanently mounted in my car see if i can get it to work with the serial sync socket of my Ipaq, if its rs 232 but usb on the end it should still work ? (with different plug)

[the evil twin]

G'day H,

Didn't need to hear that :jumping-s LOL ...still would of missed out on the Display if I hadda waited tho...

Anyway, looks like there will be a few of us with these setups after Festy started the ball rolling....must remember to post a follow up.

[hangover]

Will post up when its all setup, i have found a crowd in NZ ( E Frontier) that have 12v /ps2/ ipaq cables cheap so i can power my pda the and gps as well as hard wiring the gps to the pda. So this gps will be left in the car and the bluetooth used as backup or as a mobile job.

[Nicko]

The PS2 to USB adapter cables GPS Australia supplies should work very well. If your mouse has a female PS2 connector then all should be fine with what is in stock. If it's a male, then you may have to wait for supplies to come through in a week or so.

[festy]

It's a 6 pin mini-din male plug. Philm told me he bought one of these GPSrs and had to rewire it to work with normal PS/2 splitter cables because the pinout was different to 'normal'...

[Nicko]

We are expecting some Haicom PS2 to USB cables in a weeks time

[hangover]

The PS2 to USB adapter cables GPS Australia supplies should work very well. If your mouse has a female PS2 connector then all should be fine with what is in stock. If it's a male, then you may have to wait for supplies to come through in a week or so.

Can you tell me if from the pdf that festy put up that it should work with the ps2 - usb adapter ? would we need a usb driver then ? What sort of price will they be ?

thanks,
nick.

[Nicko]

I have created a GPS Bargain Bin in the Online Shop. Have a look and see if there is anything you "NEED"! :hatoff

[hangover]

does your spare sync cable have a db9 serial port? if so, just use a null modem, or wire the GPSr's db9 backwards (swap pins 2 and 3 on the db9) and it will work

Got my gps mouse today and started raiding the pc spare parts box and found a ps2 motherboard header off an old 386 pc i used to have, so my question is could i splice it into a usb sync cable (pda) using the power off the usb but wiring the tx/rx to the pda ?
I dont have any wiring diagrams for the pda to go off so i'm just guessing here ?

[the evil twin]

G'day H,

Hope the following helps in deciphering your PDA cable:hatoff

USB standard (4 Pin) connector is as follows
Pin 1 is Red and +5
Pin 2 is White and D-
Pin 3 is Green and D+
Pin 4 is Gnd

USB mini (5 pin) connector is as above 'cept
Pin 4 is ID
Pin 5 is Gnd (not Pin 4 but 4 may be jumpered to 5 or have a resistor on it)

[hangover]

Thanks TET, that will help alot.

[Nicko]

If anyone else wants to do the same, a bit of soldering, we have a couple very cheap miniature mouse GPS in our bargain bin in our online shop

[hangover]

Nice one, do you have any Y cables to suit ?

[Nicko]

I have just added some details on an adapter cable that connects the GR-211 to a HP iPAQ PDA and the cigarette lighter on the GR-211 page. There is a USB plug on this cable but most likely only has the wires for power and not data and power. The USB plug plugs in the back of the cigarette lighter plug. There is a text link to the adapter as well.

[hangover]

I have just added some details on an adapter cable that connects the GR-211 to a HP iPAQ PDA and the cigarette lighter on the GR-211 page. There is a USB plug on this cable but most likely only has the wires for power and not data and power. The USB plug plugs in the back of the cigarette lighter plug. There is a text link to the adapter as well.

Perfect thats exactly what i need ! :mexican

[the evil twin]

Still happy with it :) It would be nice if it had a USB interface, but I'm not complaining.
Yes, PS/2 style plug, wire tx/rx/gnd to a DB9 and supply 5v from somewhere (PS/2 port, USB port etc).

Here's the product brochure, complete with pinouts.

G'day Festy,

No drama's with the RX/TX/GND but which pin/s required the 5V supply on the GPS mouse?

[festy]

Connect Pin 1 to GND, 2 to +5v, and 5 and 6 to rx/tx. Connect pin 1 to pin 5 of the db9 (gnd) and you're done - you can ignore pins 3 and 4, I'm not sure what they do but they're not necessary. Using SiRFdemo you can change protocols, baud, NMEA sentences etc.

[hangover]

Festy, what is Sirf demo ?

[the evil twin]

Thanks Festy :mighty ...I wasn't sure about that "power control" pinout.

Have done a temp hook-up and all working OK, will hard wire it into the Patrol this weekend (time permitting) and run a comparison against my Asus 636 and check out its performance.
Certainly not expecting it to match the Sirf111 of the Asus.

Couple of nice cheap units in the Online Shop ATM also....

[festy]

SiRFDemo is a configuration/diagnostic tool for SiRFstar-based GPSrs. You can do lots of cool things like interrogate the GPSR's firmware, set the protocol (NMEA, SiRF binary), change the baud rate, change the included NMEA sentences and broadcast times, perform factory resets, view current satellite information..... and a whole lot more. Some features will only work with the GPSr in SiRF binary mode, but changing protocols is just a mouse-click away.

There's a good tutorial over on GPSpassion (http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=25575) with lots of screenshots and information.
Oh and SiRFdemo is free too :)

[the evil twin]

Well...all up and running and pleasantly suprised with the accuracy to date...thanks for the wiring data Festy :mighty

HAd it running on my Toshy Lappy in the Patrol with my Asus (sirf 3) alongside it on the dash.. has a bit of a lag from time to time of around 10 to 20 metres on the Freeway at 100K and slower to initially lock on otherwise it was OK.
I was comparing both against aerial photo maps and using the overpasses as the bench marks.

She who must be obeyed :grnmonstr likes navigating with the lappy much more than the PDA so looks like it is here to stay...(reckons I don't yell at her near as much) :crutches

All up cost to me was just on $65 but i scrounged the data cable I used for the extension and the USB plug.

A couple of the units in the online shop here could be used the same way for around the same price and I saw one that had significantly better specs for about $20 more.

We anticipate running the PDA and Tomtom predominately for the driver and the Nav will be using the Lappy and working Ozi plus her fav PC games and the odd DVD between Carnarvon and Geraldton...BORING !!!!

I already have a LCD display for the reversing camera next to the Instrument Pod and will have a second input from the lappy on that so I can see what the Nav is getting out of Ozi

[hangover]

Good one, i should have mine ready for pda next couple of days and then i will wire up an adapter so i can switch to my lappy if i want. I sourced a cable for my ipaq with the ps2 input for the mouse and hp plug and a cigi plug for power so now i just need to go to Jaycar and get a DB9 and a couple of ps2 plugs 1m / 1f for the adapter cable.

[hangover]

G'day H,

Didn't need to hear that :jumping-s LOL ...still would of missed out on the Display if I hadda waited tho...

Anyway, looks like there will be a few of us with these setups after Festy started the ball rolling....must remember to post a follow up.

TET, have you got the lcd screen yet ? Interested in how they are so if i get the nod that they are available again i will get one.

[the evil twin]

G'day H

Yep, had it for about 10 days. The display is a bit average with the lappy windows desktop icons but useable (but that will be the same for any 5 inch screen of this resolution).

It is more than Ok for DVD's/TV etc and as a repeater for Ozi/PC apps If someone is driving the menu's on the lappy ... or...it isn't too bad if you are already familiar with the Ozi toolbars and know what you are clicking.

As mentioned I am using it as a PC repeater for the driver and reversing camera display so I have my Asus with TT6 on the right of my instrument cluster and this unit with Ozi from the PC or Reversing camera image on the left

I have my reversing camera (got that off Ebay a couple of days ago $60) thru an AV switch (as it only has 1 input) and I am very happy with the quality of the display for that setup.

Point to remember...if you do want to put a reversing camera on a standard screen such as this one...you need to get a camera that outputs mirror image...a lot are normal image and rely on the display unit having a dedicated R camera input that reverses the image at the monitor.

Bottom line?...it is well worth the $ IMHO and I think the only people who would be unhappy would be if you were using it as the sole display for a lappy using composite video as it is too small at 5 inches. In my case it is great because anything larger than 5 would be too obtrusive on top of the dash.

I toyed with the idea of getting the 7 inch roof mount (at about $90 i think) but i want to put my radios in the roof console when I get one and "she who must be obeyed" can have the monitor of her choice on her side to drive the lappy. Purely a personal choice as many will want it the other way around I am sure

[the evil twin]

Oh...almost forgot...
It comes with a neat little black plastic surround that it clips into so it surface mounts very neatly if required...and would be a standard DIN width if trimmed slightly.

It has a channel in the back of the case that will take a generic universal mount but that style mount is not included.

The lead from the single connection on the back is flat mounted so you do not need to allow any extra room at the rear for plugs or cable so the unit will store or mount hard up against anything.

[the evil twin]

I just had another look at the Deals direct website and the monitor I got was slightly diff to the photo but similar specs...

Mine has a slightly narrower surround in brushed alloy appearance and the RHS has power, brightness +/- and contrast +/- buttons, the picture only shows a power button ..having the ability to brightness adjust on the front panel is a big plus at night !!!

[hangover]

Still happy with it :) It would be nice if it had a USB interface, but I'm not complaining.
Yes, PS/2 style plug, wire tx/rx/gnd to a DB9 and supply 5v from somewhere (PS/2 port, USB port etc).

Here's the product brochure, complete with pinouts.

Festy, i have the pdf you posted but can you tell me the wiring colour code for this.

thanks,
nick.

[festy]

Sorry, I don't know the wire colours as I didn't chop the plug, I wired up a mini-DIN socket to accept it's plug instead.

[hangover]

Sorry, I don't know the wire colours as I didn't chop the plug, I wired up a mini-DIN socket to accept it's plug instead.

Thats what i will do but thought i might put in a longer cable so it will actually reach outside the car, i guess the red should be power and black ground and the other 2 i can swap easily if there is no signal.

[Nicko]

Any serial GPS including that with either a PS2 or serial connector can make use of an adapter cable with USB, if you are interested.

[the evil twin]

Thats what i will do but thought i might put in a longer cable so it will actually reach outside the car, i guess the red should be power and black ground and the other 2 i can swap easily if there is no signal.

G'day H,

I added an extra cable to run from the GPSr which is on my dash (Nissan Patrol so its steel not plakky and the maggy base works a treat) to the lappy under the back seat.

I'm sorry but I can't for the life of me remember the colour code now.

If you are careful in pulling the plug apart you can follow the wires if you don't have a multi meter. If you get stuck let me know and I will pull my plug apart and check the colours but as you say getting the RX TX back to front won't damage anything.

[conan]

Any serial GPS including that with either a PS2 or serial connector can make use of an adapter cable with USB, if you are interested.

hey just wondering if you could send us a wiring diagram so i can get this ps/2 GPSr to work on my computer using a usb connection cheers

[the evil twin]

hey just wondering if you could send us a wiring diagram so i can get this ps/2 GPSr to work on my computer using a usb connection cheers

Uuumm...not sure which diagram you mean but the GPSr wiring and USB connector wiring are on the previous 2 pages of this thread.
I used the USB connector to get the +5 volts and a standard serial DB9 for the data.

If you want a USB only setup I'll leave it to someone who went done that path to respond

[Nicko]

No I can't sorry. How about you buy the cable, saves you time and hassle.

[hangover]

Any serial GPS including that with either a PS2 or serial connector can make use of an adapter cable with USB, if you are interested.

I have found (and Feisty , Evil T will confirm ) that they are all wired differently. I got a Haicom ps2/ipaq/cigi adpter to use with my gps mouse but it is wired differently to the deals direct one we bought.

[conan]

iv hacked in to the plug on the ps2 deals direct gps mouse the wire colors are green/white/yellow/red/black and a bare wire for outer case earth i think they were wired in to the ps2 plug as pin 1 bare wire, pin 2 black, pin3 white, pin 4 red, pin 5 green and pin 6 yellow. so if any one can work out wires to go to usb please tell or can you please tell me original wiring in to db9 i know the power sid of it just wanna konw were RxD TxD go to what numbers on the db9 plug i know 5 is grnd just need to know rest any info would be much apreciated cheers! im no wizz at this so please excuse me if some terms are wrong just trying to get this mouse to work thats all..... :mixed-smi :mixed-smi :mixed-smi

[hangover]

iv hacked in to the plug on the ps2 deals direct gps mouse the wire colors are green/white/yellow/red/black and a bare wire for outer case earth i think they were wired in to the ps2 plug as pin 1 bare wire, pin 2 black, pin3 white, pin 4 red, pin 5 green and pin 6 yellow. so if any one can work out wires to go to usb please tell or can you please tell me original wiring in to db9 i know the power sid of it just wanna konw were RxD TxD go to what numbers on the db9 plug i know 5 is grnd just need to know rest any info would be much apreciated cheers! im no wizz at this so please excuse me if some terms are wrong just trying to get this mouse to work thats all..... :mixed-smi :mixed-smi :mixed-smi

Cool, that will be a great help to me, if you look back at about page 2 or 3 of this thread Festy mentioned how to wire it to a DB9 serial and usb for power only, it cant be wired for usb only unless you get a usb driver for it.

[ebswift]

I bought a gps receiver for my XDA1 with connection/charging cable here:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/FORTUNA-GPS-RECEIVER-FOR-XDA-1-XDA-2-SPV-M1500_W0QQitemZ230106779206QQcategoryZ4668QQcmdZViewItem

You will find quite a number of gps options for various devices just as cheap in the seller's ebay store.

The purchase conversion would be close to $60 Australian (inc. postage), and given the seller has over 38,000 feedback responses with a high positive percentage there's a good chance it will arrive safely.

Here's a hint, if you buy from the above seller, don't use 'buy it now', you'll only pay double price. Find the gps receiver that you want that's going to end soonest and bid in the last few minutes (I use jbidwatcher) and you will get it pretty close to, or at, the listed base price. Here's another hint, don't add the 15GBP for the pda holder, buy a similar holder from an Australian ebay seller at a lower price.

I haven't received the gps receiver yet (only ordered about 2 days ago), but I've dusted off my old XDA1 in anticipation. I'm glad I didn't ditch my XDA, it was boxed up and very close to being listed on ebay. I had been looking for a cheap gps receiver option for a while but could never find one.

I don't know what the seller means by "exclusive UK based chipset" so I'm hoping that won't mean it won't work in Australia. I'll soon find out of course.

You can buy the same device locally here:

http://www.expansys.com.au/p.aspx?i=109588

and the cable here:

http://www.expansys.com.au/p.aspx?i=108910

So if you want to buy local and pay nearly $300 as against importing it for $60 then that's your choice...

[Nicko]

Thanks for the write up. As a note if you look in our shop under GPS bargains you will find the same quality and spec GPS for $69.00 The cable is also available from us, just haven't put it up on the web yet. As to the exclusive UK chipset, well that's a new one on me too. The U2 from Fortuna is a standard SiRFII 12 channel GPS engine. We considered importing Fortuna products but after seeing their handheld GPS that SuperCheap Autos brought in we figured the quality wan't there. Shame you didn't look at our bargain bin before buying on ebay. At least we can provide local support and warranty.

[Nicko]

Oh and another thing, same spec GPS engine in the GR-230 for $100 for members isn't bad at all considering it's a bluetooth GPS!

[ebswift]

Nicko, I more than likely would have bought from your store had I known of that option at the time.

I couldn't find any info about the fortuna model I bought except for the specs so I had nothing really to go from. I'm a GPS newbie and know only a few basics about how to use them. Considering the price they're charging in Australia for that particular fortuna model you'd expect to get some bang for your buck in paying that much just for a receiver. You'd be peeved paying 300 bucks for something that rarely works.

The poor old XDA 1 doesn't have bluetooth so that limits the options too. I was surprised there is still even mention of XDA 1 for any add-on device, let-alone GPS receivers.

I'll be sure to report back once I've got it connected and tested in the car.

[Nicko]

http://fortuna.com.tw/u2.htm

You will see it's an old model still being promoted. Why Fortuna haven't updated to the newer SiRF III is strange considering the top GPS manufacturers haven't had SiRF II/le chipped GPS for at least 18 months now. At least Fortuna's Street Navigators are SiRF III.

[conan]

Cool, that will be a great help to me, if you look back at about page 2 or 3 of this thread Festy mentioned how to wire it to a DB9 serial and usb for power only, it cant be wired for usb only unless you get a usb driver for it.


just want to know what number on the db9 plug RxD and TxD go cheers coz i know 5 is grnd just wanna know other 2 cheers. also when its all wired can you tell me step by step what to do to check if its working properly thanks :mighty

[conan]

hey can you help me i have a gps mouse 12ch one from deals direct and i have tom tom 5/6 on disk i just wanna know will this run on a single or double din in car dvd/tv/navigation deck unit for car im thinking of getting on off ebay but just need to know a bit about what can run on them and what there capable of if a screes says gps dose this mean it can run gps or you need another box unit that plugs in to it or only the screens with navigation iterface the ones to look for cheers

[festy]

just want to know what number on the db9 plug RxD and TxD go cheers coz i know 5 is grnd just wanna know other 2 cheers. also when its all wired can you tell me step by step what to do to check if its working properly thanks :mighty

Pins 2 and 3 are rx and tx. All you need is 2, 3 and 5 (plus power) and the GPSr should work.
The easiest way to test once it's wired up is to get a copy of SiRFDemo, you'll need it anyway to change protocol etc.
You'll know when you get the power connected correctly, because LEDs will start to flash on the GPSr.

[conan]

thanks for that much apreciated

[conan]

just wanna ask if the gps mouse green and red is on but dosent flash is this meen its workin if not what are the lights that should be showing thanks again

[hangover]

hey can you help me i have a gps mouse 12ch one from deals direct and i have tom tom 5/6 on disk i just wanna know will this run on a single or double din in car dvd/tv/navigation deck unit for car im thinking of getting on off ebay but just need to know a bit about what can run on them and what there capable of if a screes says gps dose this mean it can run gps or you need another box unit that plugs in to it or only the screens with navigation iterface the ones to look for cheers

Tomtom will only run on a pda with either pocket pc or windows mobile os, you would need a car pc to use any gps software .

[hangover]

Pins 2 and 3 are rx and tx. All you need is 2, 3 and 5 (plus power) and the GPSr should work.
The easiest way to test once it's wired up is to get a copy of SiRFDemo, you'll need it anyway to change protocol etc.
You'll know when you get the power connected correctly, because LEDs will start to flash on the GPSr.

Where are the leds's ? i havent seen any on mine ?

[conan]

there on the left side of where it says GPS on the unit

[ebswift]

Here's some feedback on the fortuna U2 device I ordered from the UK. Firstly, it took 6 days from placing an order for it to land on my doorstep... not bad.

All components, including the cable appear to be good quality; the connector to the GPS appears to be the standard PS/2 connector which is probably of no surprise to people who know anything about these things ;) (besides, that's the connector that's been discussed all the way through this thread).

I hooked it all up and fired it up with ODGPS pocket pc software on my XDA, and it acquired 7 satellites very quickly. Tracking seemed to be very accurate, flawless and consistent. I've seen all the bad raps on fortuna's, including the U2, but over a 30km test run including through a range of fairly high hills it held its own without faultering.

It may not fare well against the new u-beaut gps devices, but I couldn't actually see what more I would want in a device. I've used GPS devices before and I truly can't see the difference in operation... it actually seemed at least as fast at acquiring satellites (if not faster) as any GPS device I've used and was just as consistent in every other operation.

In the last couple of weeks I've bought the cheapest stuff possible, and have gotten outstanding results with all (the GPS receiver, a wireless reversing camera and a 2GB SD card) so I'm counting myself lucky.