Just browsing /. I saw an article about hacking the OnStar system. It can be modified with a serial cable and outputs NMEA, so would this work with gpsapp? I don't have a GM vehicle, but there may be others here that do, and this would be a clean GPS install with the Empeg. I think if you make this mod though you will not have access to the other OnStar features.

Edit: link

It looks to me that if you can do the physical modifications to the unit, then you're set. The only thing you might have to do (if gpsapp doesn't already accept motorola binary protocol) is to add some code to switch NMEA on and off when you're using gpsapp. If it already works with that protocol then simply hook it up!

I only parsed that link quickly but here are my thoughts;

It appears that the GPS units are Motorola Oncore units. The linked site doesn't explicitly state which model most of them are but infers that they are the Oncore GT, and the visual evidence would concur with that. It does note that newer models may be Oncore M12 units.
The GT units work fine with gpsapp. I have one in my car. However a couple of things should be noted.
Firstly, it initially boots into the Motorola Binary mode, not NMEA. gpsapp does not (to the best of my knowledge) currently provide a way to switch modes, meaning that the mode switch must be done with a PC app, and also that battery backup power must be maintained after doing so.
Secondly, it appears from that site that the owner is hacking the serial cable straight into the 5V TTL level signals on the GPS board. While most PCs (and empegs ) can reliably understand TTL level serial communications, this system affords absolutely no protection to the Oncore unit, and I don't believe that interfacing a 12V serial port is going to be good for it. Perhaps there is some level of in-built protection, but it is not documented, and should definitely not be assumed.

A better solution to use that board might be to search this BBS for 'Oncore'. A while back I posted a printed circuit board layout that the Oncore GT can mount to that will break out the necessary signals and buffer them. This would also leave your main Onstar pcb stock, thus eliminating the chance of damage that could hit the vehicles resale value.

In the article they use a RLC-1 TTL-Serial converter. It's made by an austrialian electronics company, it's cheap and it's safe. I use one in my setup never had any problems.

As I said, I hadn't read in detail. That converter is cool and very well priced. (And isn't obvious in photos either!)

As far as the GPS portion goes, one could just tap into the Onstar GPS data without having to disconnect/disable the Onstar functionality. We'd have to hack something minor to convert the binary format data to NMEA (or just have GPSapp understand the binary format), but apart from that...

Of course, who in this group would actually own up to driving a GM?

Well, there are a few Saab afficianados around here.

-Zeke

Well, there are a few Saab afficianados around here.
<off topic>
Which reminds me, I saw my first Viggen in the UK. I only recognised it from the logo on Robricc's t-shirt at the amersfoort meet.
</off topic>

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Of course, who in this group would actually own up to driving a GM?

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I've got one. I rarely drive it, it's a 75 vette. And I have other cars.

BTW, Subari, Acura, and VW/Audi have it now too. I have it in my Phaeton and I love it.

If they still rented EV1s, maybe.

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Of course, who in this group would actually own up to driving a GM?

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Guilty. I drive a convertible 2000 Camaro SS.

Queue the mullet jokes...

Cruisin' downtown in your Camaro,
REO Speedwagon on the stereo.
It's kind of catchy,
Kind of a virus,
Cutting your hair like Billy Ray Cyrus.
You're probably bummed,
You probably cried,
You're probably sad that the guy from Lynrd Skynrd died,
You're probably singing "oh, oh, oh",
All night long.

Feel the power of the PHANTOM MULLET,
Tremble and cower from the PHANTOM MULLET,
White metal burn of the PHANTOM MULLET,
Combed straight or permed it's THE PHANTOM MULLET,
And you, cutting it short on top,
I want that for me.
Growing it long in the back,
So savage and so free.

Drop into first you're taking it slow,
You're such a rock-star,
You could never know.
I wish I was singing, "oh, oh, oh",
All night long.

Five Iron Frenzy - The Phantom Mullet

I have it in my Phaeton and I love it.

Phaeton? Wow, Laura, THAT's a car! Congratulations!

Phaeton? Wow, Laura, THAT's a car!

It's also - unknown by most - a ten year old Acorn Archimedes game published by Hugo, project managed by me, and with a sound routine and some visuals written by Toby. Patrick rescued some of the original packaging artwork and showed it to me over xmas.

So now you know!

Rob

I would sue VW, then. If you could only make what a Phaeton costs it would be worthed!

Jokes apart, that's interesting archaeo-gaming Any pic of that artwork?

The cover art was actually an oil painting that I commissioned. Perhaps Patrick will scan it.

I just realised we actually spelled it wrong: Phaethon. No wonder it didn't sell!

Nah. They're a little late to claim the name Phaeton Phaeton is the son of Helios from what I remember from Greek mythology. He wanted to drive the chariot that moved the sun but got killed by Zeus for getting too close to Earth and nearly frying everything to a crisp.

I think you're right, but if I recall correctly copyright expires after 70 years, not 7,000.
On the other hand, getting Zeus mad has proven unconvenient throughout... history (?!), and they should probably not risk that.

That screengrab jogged my memory! That was a good game. Didn't a demo of it go out on an Archimedes World cover disc once. Looks like its back up into the loft to dig out all my discs. Do you think it'll play on a ARM700 series Risc PC?

EDIT: Looks like it's available from acornarcade, downloading now....

EDIT: Bummer, I'm getting 'Abort on Data transfer', and that with the patch too....

Which Phaeton do you have? They all look very expensive!

Pontiac Grand Prix GTP owner here

Phaeton? Wow, Laura, THAT's a car! Congratulations!

I am Heather. Laura posts under the name "Laura". Is it so hard to keep the 2 or 3 females straight?

Which Phaeton do you have? They all look very expensive!

A W12 premiere edition. One of only 300 W12's being sent to the states (production for the US has been suspended indefinitely, because VOA is a corporation of morons).

The car is incredible. It has a massager built into the seats (and OnStar, so I can talk to the nice Canadians when I'm bored on long drives). I still can't believe I own one. Kinda makes all the other gifts look crappy after you find that one when you walk into work on Christmas eve. I can't believe my boss found someone willing to give one up, especially without me knowing about it. And managed to hide all evidence of it's existance from me for a week. Sneaky bastard.

They're much cheaper in the states, and have more standard stuff. We do not have the V6 or the TDI here, only the V8 and a tiny amount of W12s. They start at $66,665 USD, which is very reasonable for what it is (but by no means inexpensive). It was pricey, but vehicles over a certain weight qualify for tax deductions for business owners. So I got a really nice christmas present, and my godfather got a nice tax break (and a V8 for himself).

All it needs is an obnoxious vanity plate like the rest of my cars have. The only problem is since most people have never seen one yet, you don't get to go anywhere alone with it. Took me 40 minutes to get out of a parking lot today.