i.Trek Bluetooth Car Charger for eTrek/Geko GPS's

[mbloof]

Greetings:

Now that I have a WM5 device I was wanting to attach my GPS to it. My old eTrek works fine, but I was hesitant on getting a SERIAL cable as it would be just one more thing to have to carry around in my geek tools case.

I was looking at Bluetooth GPS units, but did not want to: A) Buy another whole device (display AND BT is $$$) or B) Get a BT only device that would only work with my WM5 handheld.

Enter the i.Trek Bluetooth Car "charger" for eTrek/Geko.

This device plugs into a standard lighter socket and has a cord that attaches to the serial port of my eTrek. A PLUS is that it POWERS the eTREK (one less set of batterys!)

The COOL part is that there is a BLUETOOTH device in the lighter "head" unit allowing you to plug this thing in (and place your eTrek) almost anywhere, it does not HAVE to be right there with your handheld.

I plugged in the i.Trek device, powered up the eTrek and waited for Satellight sync. Once my location was locked on the eTrek, I powered up my x51v and turned on BT on the x51v.

Here it gets a bit "fuzzy". WM5 INSISTS on making EVERY SERIAL CONNECTION REQUEST "Secure". Since there is NO WAY of SETTING the "key" on the i.Trek, you have to IGNORE the incoming connection request.

I created a partnership with the i.Trek with a NONSECURE serial link, IGNORED the INCOMING partnership request coming from the i.Trek and started Pocket Streets. Pocket Streets could see the new serial port, but was not getting GPS data. Humm.....

I went back into the BT configuration and created a OUTGOING SERIAL port and pointed it to the GPS unit. Once back in Pocket Streets, a click on "track location" and BINGO!! The link was working.

I should note here that I tried to "play" with the built in "GPS MANAGEMENT" in the system menu of WM5 and found it USELESS. I'm presently CLUELESS as to what this system menu item is intended for or its usefullness.

Now I was able to set my i.Trek/eTrek in the "cab over" section of my camper (where it is highest and has little/no metal blockage to the sky) and have my x51v in the cab of my pickup truck and get (via BT radio) my location on my PPC.

Total cost (with shipping) was ~$70. I'd recommend it.