gps mouse

Toks,

This mouse GPS uses the SiRf Star II Chip-set like many other similiar
units. They are all WAAS enabled, its one of the features of that chip-set.
Here is a link for another slightly cheaper unit
(http://www.expansys-usa.com/product.asp?code=U2-USBGPS) that basically has
the same GPS capability. The main issue with these mouse units is connecting
them to something else.

There are two issues:

1) Power supply to the mouse GPS.
If it doesn't come with internal batteries then It may have a separate power
connector to which you have to supply power. This might be 3.3V or 5V rather
than the simple 12V cigarette lighter plug. And even if it has one of those,
make sure it will work with the 28V aircraft power supply (not all planes
are 28V, but many are).

2) The interface from the mouse GPS is usually Serial (RS232) or USB. Both
will work great if you connect to a PC. USB will usually also supply power
to the unit as well (see point 1). However, USB can be a bit tricky when
connecting to a PDA. Basically, both the PDA and the Mouse GPS are USB slave
devices so they may not talk together - I believe this problem is usually
solved with the right software on the PDA. Lastly most PDA's have some kind
of funky custom connector.

So the devil is in getting the right piece of wire that connects the mouse
GPS to the PDA and supplies the right power to the GPS. Unless you're handy
with a soldering iron I would look for a "total" solution (PDA+cable+GPS)
created by a third party.

-Brenor

"Toks Desalu" wrote in message
news:MPTnc.22530$z06.3609884@attbi_s01...
Earthmate GPS Receiver

http://www.gps4fun.com/del_earth.php

Anyone think this receiver is the cheapest mouse (WAAS capability) on
market?

(I really don't need that street map software that included in this
product,
but the price is actually cheaper than any gps mouse on market)

Toks Desalu
PP-ASEL
Dyin' to Soar.