Spark electronics has a $39 GPS logger that works with Google Earth – “The Lassen iQ FAT16 Datalogger is the latest widget from SFE. This little board will datalog all GPS data (longitude, latitude, speed, altitude, etc) up to 440 hours with a 256MB SD card using FAT16 format! Direct and automatic text file recording! Best of all, you can open the data into Google Earth!” – Link.
Matt adds – “$39.99 + about $75 for the extra pieces you need to make it work. That price does not include the GPS receiver, power source and etc.
32 thoughts on “$39 GPS logger”
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Umm…. $39.99 + about $75 for the extra pieces you need to make it work. That price does not include the GPS receiver, power source and etc.
thanks matt, i added that.
Sorry, but you lost credibility with me after the touchscreen I bought that wound up being a pile of junk and… well, not a touchscreen.
chefjoeardee – we have no way of knowing how good a $39 kids toy will end up being for parts (that’s why we post these things).
i think spark electronics is a little different than cheap kid toys. that said, if you’re that upset, i’ll buy the screen off you and see what projects can be made from it.
I don’t mean to come off as a big grumpy jerk, sorry. I was just completely shocked at the sheer uncomplex nature of it. In hindsight, it’s my own fault really for not scrutinizing the item enough.
If you’d like the screen, it’s all yours.
chefjoeardee – no problem, i’d be bummed too. you should see the weird stuff i end up buying. i’m pt@makezine.com if you want to send me a note and i’ll paypal some $.
I’m going to ride a bicycle from Memphis, TN to Maryville, TN in two weeks and would LOVE to have this “on my person” the entire time. I have zero microelectronics experience. Is this something I could put together if I got all of the pieces?
I was able to follow directions well enough to hack the CVS video camera (which will also be going on this bike trip). Thanks in advance for the replies.
anyone care to box one for me :D i would love to have one of these, i’ll give 50$ for the job (if it works and stuff :p)
(live in norway)
i realy should take the time to do it myself, but i always end up destroing things, and this thing, i realy want working :)
stuboo: since you only have 2 weeks, you could just pick up a Delorme Bluelogger, which is a GPS receiver with Datalogging capability.
That said – buying COTS isn’t nearly as cool as DIY. :)
I don’t see why this is a good thing. Buy an obsolete PDA (sharp zaurus 5500 can be had for under $100), add a cheap GPS CF card ($35), and you’ve got far more functionality for about the same price, and only a slightly larger size. The Zaurus 5500 includes a 320×240 full color touchscreen and about 32 MB of available internal flash, plus up to 1GB on SD card, even if CF slot is used for GPS. Plus it runs linux, so code is easy to modify for your own use. The only downside is the power (probably less than 2 hours of GPS logging on internal batter), but PSP power bricks make nice extended batteries for under $20.
For the bicycle trip, add a copy of ZRoadmap and about 30 MB worth of vector maps (available from http://roadmap.digitalomaha.net/index.html), and you’ve got street level maps for your entire route as well.
I don’t see why this is a good thing. Buy an obsolete PDA (sharp zaurus 5500 can be had for under $100), add a cheap GPS CF card ($35), and you’ve got far more functionality for about the same price, and only a slightly larger size. The Zaurus 5500 includes a 320×240 full color touchscreen and about 32 MB of available internal flash, plus up to 1GB on SD card, even if CF slot is used for GPS. Plus it runs linux, so code is easy to modify for your own use. The only downside is the power (probably less than 2 hours of GPS logging on internal batter), but PSP power bricks make nice extended batteries for under $20.
For the bicycle trip, add a copy of ZRoadmap and about 30 MB worth of vector maps (available from http://roadmap.digitalomaha.net/index.html), and you’ve got street level maps for your entire route as well.
I don’t see why this is a good thing. Buy an obsolete PDA (sharp zaurus 5500 can be had for under $100), add a cheap GPS CF card ($35), and you’ve got far more functionality for about the same price, and only a slightly larger size. The Zaurus 5500 includes a 320×240 full color touchscreen and about 32 MB of available internal flash, plus up to 1GB on SD card, even if CF slot is used for GPS. Plus it runs linux, so code is easy to modify for your own use. The only downside is the power (probably less than 2 hours of GPS logging on internal batter), but PSP power bricks make nice extended batteries for under $20.
For the bicycle trip, add a copy of ZRoadmap and about 30 MB worth of vector maps (available from http://roadmap.digitalomaha.net/index.html), and you’ve got street level maps for your entire route as well.
i was thinking about a bluelogger too, but it’s a bit costy. also, i’m not in US, and i can’t seem to find it without US maps boxed with it…
I don’t see why this is a good thing. Buy an obsolete PDA (sharp zaurus 5500 can be had for under $100), add a cheap GPS CF card ($35), and you’ve got far more functionality for about the same price, and only a slightly larger size. The Zaurus 5500 includes a 320×240 full color touchscreen and about 32 MB of available internal flash, plus up to 1GB on SD card, even if CF slot is used for GPS. Plus it runs linux, so code is easy to modify for your own use. The only downside is the power (probably less than 2 hours of GPS logging on internal batter), but PSP power bricks make nice extended batteries for under $20.
For the bicycle trip, add a copy of ZRoadmap and about 30 MB worth of vector maps (available from http://roadmap.digitalomaha.net/index.html), and you’ve got street level maps for your entire route as well.
@dbowden- it’s a good idea but i don’t have time and if im gonna DIY-it, this does look much cooler. Besides, I can put 4 AA batteries on this baby, wrap a rubber band around it to hold it all together and put it in a ziploc bag. I’ll just throw it in my camelbak and be on my way.
@ajturner- the bluelogger does sound like a neat piece of work. combined with my ipaq, this thing would surely impress. as you said though, DIY is why i’m reading the MAKE blog and size is an issue.
I’m thinking of ordering all the parts that come with the kit
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/images/Casey-Lunch1.jpg
minus the SD card (I already have 3 – 128MB cards).
If I decide to do it, I’ll post a link to the results after the trip. Thanks to everyone for the replies.
@dbowden- it’s a good idea but i don’t have time and if im gonna DIY-it, this does look much cooler. Besides, I can put 4 AA batteries on this baby, wrap a rubber band around it to hold it all together and put it in a ziploc bag. I’ll just throw it in my camelbak and be on my way.
@ajturner- the bluelogger does sound like a neat piece of work. combined with my ipaq, this thing would surely impress. as you said though, DIY is why i’m reading the MAKE blog and size is an issue.
I’m thinking of ordering all the parts that come with the kit
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=671#
minus the SD card (I already have 3 – 128MB cards).
If I decide to do it, I’ll post a link to the results after the trip. Thanks to everyone for the replies.