PIREP: WxWorx w/Bluetooth

[Nathan Young]

As some of you know, I run a Fujitsu ST4121 tablet PC in my plane, and
use it to display moving map software as well as XM/WxWorx radar.

I had grown tired of cables dangling from the tablet, so when WxWorx
offered a Bluetooth upgrade to their receiver, I went for it.

To support the Bluetooth upgrade I also order a Garmin GPS10 Bluetooth
GPS receiver and a Belkin PCMCIA carrier/compact Flash card to add BT
to the tablet.

Before ordering I was a bit concerned about how BT would integrate and
pull the data into the applications. Fortunately, Bluetooth has a
serial port emulation mode, so the bluetooth devices appear as COM
ports to the applications running on the PC, which is exactly how the
GPS and USB based WxWorx receivers operated.

As a communications path is established to the BT device, the Belkin
driver assigns a virtual COM port number to the device. In my case,
these happen to start at COM8. So as long as I always turn the GPS on
first, it will be assigned COM8. The WxWorx receiver is then assigned
COM9 as I turn it on 2nd.

WxWorx's XMLink software works perfectly with the BT connection, as
does my moving map SW.

My tablet PC has a 3+ hr battery life, so I can actually go completely
wireless to the tablet on shorter flights.

So far it appears to be a worthwhile investment... Next step - I need
to decide the best way to eliminate the massive array of cigarette
plugs in the plane.

-Nathan

[Stephen McNaught]

The GPS10 has, IMO, some pretty strong magnets. They're designed to hold
the unit on to the hood of your car at speeds (it's also water resistant). I
removed the magnets, because it "can" affect the compass, (removal of which
obviously voids any warranty), by "gently" prying the split around the sides
apart. The two half's are held together by, what appears to be, a silicone
based glue. The three magnets inside are held in place by a harder glue,
like epoxy. I think the GPS10 is a very good Bluetooth sensor.
Also, if you take out the magnets, you'll see what the rechargable battery
looks like, in case you every have to replace it yourself, in a couple
years. But, it would void the warranty.

"Nathan Young" > wrote in message
...
> To support the Bluetooth upgrade I also order a Garmin GPS10 Bluetooth
> GPS receiver and a Belkin PCMCIA carrier/compact Flash card to add BT
> to the tablet.

[Nathan Young]

On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 20:09:09 -0400, "Stephen McNaught"
> wrote:

> The GPS10 has, IMO, some pretty strong magnets.

Excellent tip, thanks!

[Dan Luke]

Thanks for the pirep, Nathan.

--
Dan
C-172RG at BFM

[S Narayan]

I have played around with the GPS10 location to make sure the compass swing
is negligible. Since I use it in my car as well, I am reluctant for now to
remove the magnets. Thanks for the info on the magnet removal.

"Stephen McNaught" > wrote in message
...
> The GPS10 has, IMO, some pretty strong magnets. They're designed to hold
> the unit on to the hood of your car at speeds (it's also water resistant).
> I
> removed the magnets, because it "can" affect the compass, (removal of
> which
> obviously voids any warranty), by "gently" prying the split around the
> sides
> apart. The two half's are held together by, what appears to be, a silicone
> based glue. The three magnets inside are held in place by a harder glue,
> like epoxy. I think the GPS10 is a very good Bluetooth sensor.
> Also, if you take out the magnets, you'll see what the rechargable
> battery
> looks like, in case you every have to replace it yourself, in a couple
> years. But, it would void the warranty.
>
> "Nathan Young" > wrote in message
> ...
>> To support the Bluetooth upgrade I also order a Garmin GPS10 Bluetooth
>> GPS receiver and a Belkin PCMCIA carrier/compact Flash card to add BT
>> to the tablet.
>
>

[Stephen McNaught]

I've found that I get pretty good satellite reception from the dash of the
car. Although I think the magnets are strong enough, I still had a fear of
it flying off and impaling itself in the windshield of the car behind me.
You know that car with the funny blue lights, trying to keep up with me. ;-)
Probably no need to worry, still..., I did.

- Steve

"S Narayan" > wrote in message
news:1119376074.2e8790826c82bab94af0dc3f41f3f805@t eranews...
> I have played around with the GPS10 location to make sure the compass
swing
> is negligible. Since I use it in my car as well, I am reluctant for now to
> remove the magnets. Thanks for the info on the magnet removal.