With computers - the devil is in the details.

Does anybody know if the GPS and the ODB acquisition HW use the same or
different interfaces?

FWIW: There is a very inexpensive GPS and SW set at www.egghead.com  - look
under home/reference then look under mapping sw. I think it was under $150
US for the pair - maybe much less. Manufacturer was Delorme, I think.

Marshall Ruskin

>I like this.
>
>How about Darryl getting together with this program and the rest as they
say
>boys and girls, is history.
>
>Ans we can find our way back home too?  Go Figure.
>
>Ron Semko
>Orlando, Florida
>
>Jason M. Yasment wrote:
>
>> Ken,
>>     I was thinking of a laptop with the OBD software on it.  I've seen
this
>> software in the back of European Car (I'll look through to find it if you
>> are interested).  If I remember right the computer requirements are
minimal,
>> so a used laptop would suffice.  The software is already written and the
>> necessary hardware comes with the software.......and then you could put
the
>> laptop to double duty as a navigation device with a GPS and some mapping
>> software, like AAA sells.
>>
>> Jason
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: <KENWILFY@AOL.COM>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 1999 9:44 PM
>> Subject: Computerized Gauge Setup
>>
>> > Here is my latest brainstorm on my quest for the ultimate Gauge cluster
>> that
>> > doesn't take up alot of space and require cutting or drilling:
>> >
>> > I was thinking, why not just get one of those small note pad computers
>> with a
>> > back lit screen (like palm pilot or whatever).  Then mount it's docking
>> bay
>> > on my dash next to the instrument cluster and secure it with a velcro
>> strap.
>> > Now all I have to do is setup all my senders and then wire then into
some
>> > type of plug that will plug into the computer (I have no idea what this
>> > entails).  Then all I have to find is a program that would take the
sender
>> > readings and display them in either a number readout or some type of
bar
>> > graph, etc.  You could have several "layers" of gauges that you could
>> scroll
>> > through by pushing a button, basically telling you everything that is
>> going
>> > on back there (thinking of installing a camera in the engine
compartment
>> to
>> > actually watch the motor itself but I wonder if this is overkill/could
be
>> a
>> > distraction while driving? :)
>> >
>> > So what do you think?  Am I dreaming?  Could this be done without
spending
>> a
>> > million dollars?  I mean you could use the small computer for other
things
>> > too and just plug it into the van when you were taking trips and wanted
to
>> > keep an eye on things.  If I bought 6 gauges and some instrument pods I
>> would
>> > be out around $200 so buying a small computer would not really be that
>> much
>> > more money.
>> > Any ideas?
>> >
>> > Thanks in advance,
>> > Ken Wilford
>> > http://www.vanagain.com
>> > John 3:16
>> > Office (856)-765-1583
>> > Shop (856)-327-0027
>> > Fax   (856)-327-2242
>> >
>