So I want to do a GPS based project.. not sure what its gonna end up being exactly but first I want to just interface with one.
the problem is a GPS module runs at about $40-50 american, factor in the GPS sheild for another 10-20 and this is becoming to look like an expencive project.
to save money I've been looking to see where I can rip a GPS module out of. has anyone ever done this before successfully?
I can get one of the old handspring PDA modules for around 15 bucks. or probably even cheaper.
I've pulled apart some USB GPS's. They are usually a serial GPS with a USB->Serial adapter in them. They all seem to be pretty standard. Apply power and then just find the data out pin. A little trial and error on the baud rate and you are set. I have not used the Handspring ones, so I can not say if those are similar or not.
I can get one of the old handspring PDA modules for around 15 bucks
That might be because that's all it's worth: check the specs on resolution. More recent low-cost GPS modules are significantly more accurate than older ones.
research whether there is simple and clear interface information
That's a really good point: I was thinking "Palm-like serial interface", which would be easy to handle. But you reminded me that Visors had that CompactFlash-like expansion slot, and I'm pretty sure there were GPS modules for it.
If you can't talk to it, it is a $15 brick.
Interestingly, though, there might be some extra possibilities: if there's open-source software for the Handspring GPS, you could get a two-fer. You could turn a cheap used Visor into a combination serial GPS and graphic LCD for an Arduino.
if there's open-source software for the Handspring GPS, you could get a two-fer. You could turn a cheap used Visor into a combination serial GPS and graphic LCD for an Arduino.
I would warn against this; I know there was one other guy on here who (so many months back) posted about getting cheap handspring visor GPS units. He took one apart, posted some pictures, didn't get much anywhere. The company that made the chipset in them I think is long gone, no way to get specs, etc.
Furthermore, you can't find software for them or anything; I know, I have one of those GPS units, and a visor. I would -not- go this route at all today; there are cheaper and easier alternatives. Once you factor in hair pulling, time on phone/web trying to find info, etc - even spending a hundred dollars will feel cheap.
I would look at other options; especially cheap USB GPS sticks, which, like Jeff K said, might be real simple to interface to.
I've found older GPS modules in the past on Ebay; standard TTL serial output. That's another option.