Sony Memory Stick GPS

[LoneWolf]

Has any one tried this out yet?

 

http://shop.brando.com.hk/pega-msg1.php

[kevin77]

This would be TOO GOOD to be true.
I'm not leaving this forum till it's validated by this super group!

[Unregistered]

doesn't work in the u.s.

[LoneWolf]

Darn It!!!!!!!!!!

[oneeyesquare]

There's a current thread on this in the NX forum as well. Doesn't output NMEA and no English drivers....

[DanT]

The same question comes up once every three months or so. Anyway, eventhough you can make it work (I haven't heard anyone do it here in the States, yet, because we use different format as stated by oneeyesquare) maps require lots of memory. My StreetFinder Houston metro maps take 8MB. So where would you put the maps?

I ended up using Garmin eTrex Vista (GeV) which also has a built-in 24MB RAM for maps and connect it to my Clie through the HotSync port. GeV sends NMEA data out to Clie through the HotSync cable. StreetFinder can accept the NMEA format and track the movement on the map in the Clie while you display other tracking info in the GeV. I like GeV since it also has altimeter and it is built for outdoor use, which Clie is not. I use Clie with GeV for in car use. You need both of them to connect to cigaret lighter plug otherwise, they'll runout of juice in a hurry.

[Mimi]

Hello everybody

Here is a sneak preview of the thing but it is in French, the guy couldn't get it work because it was a japanese version and besides that it takes about 30 minutes for the GPS stick to find the satelite and in the best case the battery will last 1h30 when using the GPS.
I think there might be another better solution around

Mimi

[Mimi]

OOPS here is the link

http://palmattitude.org/tests/MSGPS/index.php


Mimi

[LoneWolf]

DanT,

How exactly do you (what type of cable)connect your Vista to NZ90?

Also what is everything I need to have what you mentioned above?

I found the Vista for $299.99 Is that Good?

[DanT]

I think the NZ has the same connection as the NX. Check it with PC-Mobile (http://www.pc-mobile.net/gpswp.htm). The website also has tons of good info. If you still have specific question about the hookup just post it here and I may be able to help.

Oh I forgot to mention, I got the GeV from eBay, brand new for $250 (after $50 rebate from Garmin last October).  So again, just shop around some more before you plunge in and spend $300.

[LoneWolf]

Thanks DanT

For the QUICK RESPONSE and INFO!!!!!!!!!!

[oneeyesquare]

The PC mobile cable for the NX does work on the NZ....I have.

[DanT]

Oops, my bad, sorry. That is news to me. So Sony changes the Clie connector again for the third times, eh? 13-pin N & S series, 18-pin for T, NR, NX, SL/SJ series and now ?-pin for NZ. :(

[LoneWolf]

oneeyesquare

Did you have to shave the housing any so it would fit without forcing?

[year1997]

I have this MSGPS. I can tell you that it works in Hong Kong.

More importantly, it is supposed to work in anywhere in the world.
Because I can see the option to set the map datum in the software. (At least, it is able to use in Japan and Hong Kong).

Finally, it take around 5 mins to catch the sateiltes and calcalate the position (cold start). And it last for about 1 hr. (with NX60)

[DanT]

It is good to hear that it works in Japan and Hong Kong. For $200+ unit, it better works. However Japan and Hong Kong are only small area compare to the rest of the world. Again, as it was mentioned before US satelites use NMEA (National Marine Electronic Association) format to communicate with their receivers. That is a different format than that of MSG1. I would be interested to know if someone here has successfully converted it to NMEA format. If it does, please post it here.

[Bo_]

Dan,

I do not think it is the satelites, as GPS is the same around the world. however it is the format the data is send from the GPD unit to the software. So if the MS GPS Stick were using NMEA or had a filter which converted build into the driver.. then it ought to work in the US with US mapping software. I am quite positive it would work fine here with a Japanese program created for whatever output it does create. (smile)


Bo

www.bophoto.com

[year1997]

Agree. NMEA is the standard for GPS unit communicate with software ( via COM port) but not the satelite signal.

As I remember, there is a US mapping software do support MSGPS. It called GPS Atlas.
http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?sid=D60EACC4-8904-4A0C-99D244E5986180FE&prodID=1958

[DanT]

You're right. My bad. The satellites just send position and time data. How the GPS receivers calculate and send the information to another electronic devices are the ones that seem to vary among different manufacturers. Most of US mapping software use NMEA. So it would be nice if there is such driver that can convert the data transmitted by the MS GPS to NMEA so US mapping software for Palm device, such as StreetFinder, can use to track its position on the map.

Thanks for pointing that out. You made me dug out some info about how the GPS works and found this article (http://www.gpsinformation.org/dale/theory.htm) :)

[Bo_]

Yeah, and it also would expand the market for the GPS stick if they would add this option to the driver. or if there were simply two drivers, install the one which fits the software the user want to use.


Bo

www.bophoto.com/clie