PSPNavi (Budget Nav System)

[Gizzmo_jr]

For anyone like me who wishes the day for a $1000+ in dash double din navigation unit but has no time for somewhat fabrication and the canyon sized hole in my wallet, I have a solution.

Utilizing the Sony PSP and the Sony GPS attachment (or other, read on) one could get similarity for a fraction of the cost. I know this has been done before, but I'm doing this all from scratch and would like to post up the information for anyone else whom might want to follow in my foot steps.

Required Equipment
Sony PSP (phat or slim)
Custom firmware or 1.5
GPS Unit (Sony GPS-290 or other)
MapThis! homebrew software v5.0+
Extension cable (optional)

Essentially one can follow this (http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=60230), which I will reference to now since it is more in depth, especially for POI's and trips. But what I can offer that is different is phase 2 of this post.

Phase 1
Software and hardware acquisition.
I've just ordered the GPS unit from play-asia as well as an PSP usb extension cable for camera/gps. Both of these should be in sometime next week. All the software can be found at the previous link and within its respected forum (dcemu.co.uk). The cable has the two extra connections for positive and negative that power the unit it self. Reason for not having the GPS screwed to the top of the PSP is that alot of members on the dcemu forum say the PSP interferes with the signal and degrades the satellite linkups and longer time for lock on. I'll will try with and without.

The MapThis software can be used without a GPS unit, as it can just view the maps if you wish.

As well there is a high compatibility with the Holux GPSlim236 & GPSlim240 & M-1000 instead of the Sony GPS. Differences being a stronger signal input and better tracking. Although they cost more and require a DIY cable to be fabricated, one might wanna stick with something simple. I've desided not to go this route, as hopes of 'acquiring' Sony's official GPS software for North America if/when released. For now, Googlemaps is just fine with official hardware.

What I have. Original PSP1001 running firmware 3.52M33-4 with OSX full conversion theme, memory sticks made by Sony 32mb and 512mb, SanDisk highspeed 2Gb. The 3.52M33-4 suggested firmware for the phat PSP is from the homebrew developer himself for complete stability. I will be getting all the software organized tonight and getting Kingston and Toronto imported and ready.

Phase 2
Car Integration
So the big picture plan is to custom cut a PSP mount that sits just above the middle air vents or somewhere midsection infront of the headunit. The GPS with cable are going to be hidden from sight maybe. I'm removing the middle panel of the top dash and getting the GPS as far front as possible, and run the wire under neigh. My PSP travel car kit comes with a car adapter so either run the plug out in view and feed the cable back into the dash. Or hardwire to the cig plug by the airbag light (which I'm leaning towards).
Would anyone have any suggestions for a good location? Infront of the ash tray? (which is only a coin holder for me).

[vblanche]

wow, that's great...googlemaps as layout for navigation...

[Gizzmo_jr]

Well you can use GeoData but North America ain't so good apparently. Now you over in Europe have access to latest in maps cause people have ripped off the Nav DVD's.

[cyberscorpi0]

Awesome! I'll try it on my PSP.

[vblanche]

Well you can use GeoData but North America ain't so good apparently. Now you over in Europe have access to latest in maps cause people have ripped off the Nav DVD's. sorry, I'm a bit lost...which NaV DVDs?

also, what a homebrew capable PSP?

thanks in advance for help...

[Gizzmo_jr]

same ones BMW, Audi, etc etc use in their car's.

A homebrew capable PSP is a PSP that is running a custom flashed firmware and is able to run programs and code off the memory stick. Unless you can get your hands on a firmware 1.5 PSP, you'd have to downgrade then upgrade. Your best bet is to check out here (http://forums.qj.net/f-qjnet-sony-psp-forums-48.html/). Having a hacked PSP is another whole thing altogether.

[eqlso]

Hmm...very interesting. I have actually have a spare PSP lying around in my house somewhere, so I'll probably try this out when I have free time. Thanks for the links!

[Gizzmo_jr]

Okay, i've got the eboot to load and i'm running around in NYC at the moment. I'm downloading the big 650mb file for the GeoData (street names, citys, etc for Canada at the moment) and then I'll have Kingston done at 8x, 4x, 2x zoom. :D

[eqlso]

Did you order the GPS from the play-asia site too? I can't seem to find it there, and the other link the site provides for the cable just seems bloody shady.

[Skarbro]

Is this cheaper than getting a -say- Garmin Nuvi? Seems like a lot of work to get GPS working on a PSP, which you would have to figure out how to mount.

[Gizzmo_jr]

Did you order the GPS from the play-asia site too? I can't seem to find it there, and the other link the site provides for the cable just seems bloody shady.
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-bh-49-en-70-1mij.html
And the cable I'll let you know on the quality. I was going to make one myself but realized he used spring connections which is good since the GPS isn't bolted to the top of the PSP anymore. Figured why not, one less thing I have to do.

Is this cheaper than getting a -say- Garmin Nuvi? Seems like a lot of work to get GPS working on a PSP, which you would have to figure out how to mount.

Well I've had my PSP for years now and I've used it past its values in my eyes, even so a used PSP for 100-200 in a package plus a $70CDN shipped GPS unit seems like a good deal. Aside that the PSP has wifi, custom firmware you can run freakishly high resolution movies, and it's fully customizable.
I have a cheapo suction cup windshield mount but I hate it and doesn't look good. I'd rather fabricate something that works with the car.
The new 5.0v of MapThis has recognition for text words, so the PSP will talk back to you like in a BMW or the like for navigation.

[eqlso]

Whoops, I meant the cable. I couldn't find the cable on the play-asia site.

[Gizzmo_jr]

Ah, diff guy in the UK. Here ya go. (http://pc-mobile.net/pspue1.htm)

[CoolColombian]

Thanks for the info, I just bought my GPS-290 last night for $57 CAD shipped and I hope to have the psp gps working in a couple weeks, I also ordered a car stand wich i'll stick to the windshield just over the vents. :)

[Gizzmo_jr]

Monkeying around here at work with maps, and I've gotten Sat maps and Street maps from google to work fine. Alternatively you can use MS Virtual Earth (hybrid, sat or street mod) as well.

Map sizes depend on how many levels of zoom you want and total coverage needed. The map creator program downloads each tile (ex Google maps) that is required for your parameters which can be alot but a good size area with 8x-1x zoom is about 30mb.

Okay the final deal with the GeoData is this. You need USGS_tiger_v2 GeoData from the Map Creator author for US address' and Statcan_rnf_v2 for Canada. Canada is gimped in terms of available information but it isn't to bad.

[Gizzmo_jr]

Got my two pieces today (cable and GPS) and I must say...the whole thing works better and faster then my DeLorme + MS streets and trips combo + laptop. I'm not 15ft to the left on the road anymore and the whole package is an 1/8th of the size.

Sat pickup time is pretty damn quick. I can get 4+ sat lock-ons within a minute and I had 8 total on a 10min drive to my gf's. Now that all of this is working, I've gotta grab a few scraps of materials at work and plan out a decent looking bracket to hold the PSP high on the dash.

[Gizzmo_jr]

Alright, another step forward. POI-Factory CSV files work with the map program no problem.

Proof, Toronto Parking CSV
http://www.finc.ca/users/gizzmo_jr/TO_parking.png

[eqlso]

Have you tried the GPS with and without the cable? I just got my GPS-290 today, but haven't had time to play around with it.

[Gizzmo_jr]

Yup, and I mainly use the cable thou. Suppose I should do a comparison for with cable and without, but having the cable allows me to run the GPS right tight up at the windshield meets the dash, and along my way to work today I kept the PSP in my pocket and had the unit on my shoulder (arm strap of my backpack). I was just playing around to see if it can track well while walking.

[Gizzmo_jr]

Phase 2
Revision 1:
Not that I plan to keep modifying or changing the position of where the GPS is but here was a quick and simple hook up of how I'd like things. The location for the GPS unit is permenant, it works great up there and is totally out of the way.
http://www.finc.ca/users/gizzmo_jr/PSP_GPS/PSP_gps.jpg

I'm going to feed the power cable through the lower middle console which I know is easy, but I've gotta notch a good spot for the cable to come out which I'm still deciding on. You'll see the USB cable go towards the glove box, which when not in use is hidden away inside it.
http://www.finc.ca/users/gizzmo_jr/PSP_GPS/PSP_whole.jpg

And lastly, here is a close up of all the connections and strength of signal I can get within ~1min of turning on the program. The little cheesy bracket that holds the psp from the bottom isn't permanent so it and the foam inserts are kept in my glove box, as well with the usb cable. When everything is disconnected, all you see is the female end of the usb cable on the dash. GPS unit and PSP are kept locked away or with me.
http://www.finc.ca/users/gizzmo_jr/PSP_GPS/PSP_on.jpg

[eqlso]

Is your power not connected to the cigarette lighter? Don't really like the USB cable across the front though, looks out of place. Is the cable that tight if you put the receiver at the front of the dash?

I've tried running it without the USB cable, and here are some of my comments:
1. It takes a long time for a sat lock - about 7-10 minutes. If I'm in my house, even on the top floor, near a window, it takes about 15 minutes, and sometimes doesn't even lock.
2. On average only 1-2 sat locks. Never had more than 4. The signal strength is mostly on 2 out of 5. I had it on 3 for about a minute once.
3. When I'm stopped at an intersection, it still says I'm moving, with the speed at 0.8-1.5. It also keeps turning, so it says my bearing is S, then SW, then W, and it'll keep spinning till I move.
4. The speed warning is bloody annoying. I'm doing 110 on the highway, and the speed warning comes up every 20 seconds or so. I hope there's some way to disable it.

I'm definitely going to order the cable, because without it, it's almost unusable. Keep the updates coming :D

[-RJ3-]

Nice work!!!! I used to mount my psp on the vents, but I seem to lost my brackets....

[Gizzmo_jr]

Is your power not connected to the cigarette lighter?It is, the one inside the center arm rest.

Don't really like the USB cable across the front though, looks out of place. Is the cable that tight if you put the receiver at the front of the dash?Oh heck no, I think I tucked another foot into the dash to bring up the slack. It's a total of a metre and a half. Sure it may look out of place when in use but it doesn't interrupt any of the dials for usage and when not in use is tucked away inside the glove box. It would be the only thing I can't effectively make 'clean' with the current setup while in use.


I've tried running it without the USB cable, and here are some of my comments:
1. It takes a long time for a sat lock - about 7-10 minutes. If I'm in my house, even on the top floor, near a window, it takes about 15 minutes, and sometimes doesn't even lock.
2. On average only 1-2 sat locks. Never had more than 4. The signal strength is mostly on 2 out of 5. I had it on 3 for about a minute once.
3. When I'm stopped at an intersection, it still says I'm moving, with the speed at 0.8-1.5. It also keeps turning, so it says my bearing is S, then SW, then W, and it'll keep spinning till I move.
4. The speed warning is bloody annoying. I'm doing 110 on the highway, and the speed warning comes up every 20 seconds or so. I hope there's some way to disable it.
Well that is a surprise, honestly I haven't tried without the cable yet. The speed warning is configurable. In the config.txt within the mapthis folder you'll see;

##################################################
######## DISPLAY ALERT AT FOLLOWING SPEED ########
##################################################
SPEEDLIMIT=65
change that and you'll be good to go.

[eqlso]

Oh...I don't have one in the arm rest :(

Well, as long as there's some slack in it, it should be more than fine. I did another run with it when I was driving home. Went from west on the 401 from Morningside, until McCowan, and went north till Steeles. It died once on the 401, for about 30 seconds. It also died from Sheppard to Finch. The rest of the way was at signal strength 1 or 2. The speed is mostly off (about 20 km or so), and the bearing is very jumpy.

I have it in almost the exact same spot as you. I have an AT, and there's a little ridge in the shifter that I rest it on. The cable is a must. There's just no usuable way of making this work without it.

Another thing I noticed, on the GPS screen, yours say you're running at 110 Mhz. Mine says 89 Mhz. Did you change any settings on that?

[Gizzmo_jr]

On that screen, press UP or DOWN to change the clockspeed and you can preset the default speed in the config file.