Hacking Gpsr Memory (adding More)???

[+kiltsurfer]

Has anyone added/changed the memory in a GPSr? I am thinking about getting a new GPSr (don't want to start a new topic on which one) but wanted to know if anyone has changed the memory?

 

Memory is dirt cheap, why do GPSr have so little? I have a little memory stick that holds a gig of data (1024mb). It's small and light. Why does it seem to be a big deal when a GPSr has 56mb or 115mb when it's really not that much.

 

So has anyone done this or is this just to wierd of a topic for me to ask here?

 

THANKS

Kiltsurfer

[+IVxIV]

My iFinder Pro uses MMC cards, up to 512Mb per card..

 

But do you mean actually cutting into a GPSr and increasing its permanent builtin memory? What's the point?

[+Couparangus]

I'd love to get a schematic of my eMap so I can begin hacking. :-) There's no reason why you can't expand the memory of any GPS receiver. Some units may be limited as to how much they can address, but you can get around this by having a means of selecting the appropriate bank.

[Neo_Geo]

Has anyone added/changed the memory in a GPSr? I am thinking about getting a new GPSr (don't want to start a new topic on which one) but wanted to know if anyone has changed the memory?

 

Memory is dirt cheap, why do GPSr have so little? I have a little memory stick that holds a gig of data (1024mb). It's small and light. Why does it seem to be a big deal when a GPSr has 56mb or 115mb when it's really not that much.

 

So has anyone done this or is this just to wierd of a topic for me to ask here?

 

THANKS

Kiltsurfer

Someone tried to do it with a V, and got really close to success... Close, but evidently no cigar!

 

You can CLICK HERE - and then click on the link "What is inside the GPS V case?" at the bottom right of the page to read about it.

 

You gotta be an electronic scientist to even try it! Want more map memory? ...go buy a 76C/S or an iQue.

[+SBPhishy]

I hope someone figures it out, so it will push the companies to create a reasonable amount of internal memory in the unit. It seems that more memory doesn't take up more space, so they need to CRAM IN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! Memory really shouldnt be an issue these days, with the technology. I guess we'll see.

[lego_guy]

Most Magellan units accept SD cards. . . why wont Garmin do this?!!! soon enough there will be multiple GB hd in the 1" size . . . so all the data could be loaded on that and embeded into the GPS unit. they already put HDs in some car mounted units so you dont have to load maps from your computer. so why is garmin still using small amounts of unchangable memory with a SERIAL (SLOW!!!) connection? no doubt the GPS units that Garmin makes are awsome, but getting data on and off of them is HORRIBLE!!! id put in a new chip if i knew a thing about electrical engineering (unfortunatly im a mechanical engineer instead, cause ME is better than EE!!!!!)

[+wickedsprint]

Um they have USB ports now..at least my 60C does..works fast as hell. It still holds more memory than I will enjoy driving in a day.

[+NightPilot]

The specification for the NMEA protocol is RS232 serial, and every GPS needs to conform to that spec if it wants to sell. There are lots of applications where it is absolutely necessary. If you want to connect the GPS to anything else and get the position data, you need to use NMEA, because of the installed base. Just uploading coordinates is far from the only thing people do with GPSrs. So Garmin and every other manufacturer has to use serial formats. People who buy 60cs models with USB connectors find that USB can be a problem. I'm fairly sure the NMEA protocol will be amended sometime in the future, and Garmin's adapting USB might push it in that direction, but until it's changed, GPSrs must provide serial connections.

 

I'm in the market for a laptop, and one of my requirements is that it have an RS232 serial port for connecting my GPS. They're becoming harder to find these days, and this might also prod the change in the NMEA standard.

[+Couparangus]

Someone tried to do it with a V, and got really close to success... Close, but evidently no cigar!

 

You can CLICK HERE - and then click on the link "What is inside the GPS V case?" at the bottom right of the page to read about it.

 

You gotta be an electronic scientist to even try it! Want more map memory? ...go buy a 76C/S or an iQue.

 

I think this guy is doing it the hard way. Find me a schematic and I'm confident I can produce a solution. You don't need to be a scientist, but you do need the roadmap to find your direction.

[Neo_Geo]

I think this guy is doing it the hard way. Find me a schematic and I'm confident I can produce a solution.  You don't need to be a scientist, but you do need the roadmap to find your direction.

Find a way to put a 512MB SD card into a 60C, and I guarantee you'll get rich quick!

 

oh... and it has to work too.

Edited April 17, 2004 by Neo_Geo

[BeatonNo1]

Just because you have a schematic of your GPS does not mean you know the entire workings of the GPS. All that tells you is what is connected to what. I don't think there is an easier way than the way he did it. (replacing the stock flash memory chip with one that has more capacity but the same general interface) codeing would be the major problem, and it looks like that was the obstacle he faced. not only would the software on the GPS have to be reverse engineered so that it would know how to handle the added space. apparently the Garmin map software needs to be changed to, so that it will send more data than what will fit onto the stock memory size.

[+Couparangus]

Just because you have a schematic of your GPS does not mean you know the entire workings of the GPS

 

Agreed. The software can bit a bit of a mystery. However, it can be read from the PROM and reverse-engineered (granted, very difficult without background information on memory locations etc) For what I have in mind, it isn't necessary.

 

I don't think there is an easier way than the way he did it.

 

Yes there is.

 

(replacing the stock flash memory chip with one that has more capacity but the same general interface) codeing would be the major problem, and it looks like that was the obstacle he faced.

 

Not necessarily. If you can simply stack the memory chips, or select a chip which provides an easy means of switching banks (most every EPROM/FLASH memory I've seen), you will be in business. Often you can make use of seldom-used features within the device itself to switch banks. All you need is something that will toggle a logic state, or two or three logic states. With a GPS receiver this would actually only be a minor inconvenience as bank switching would not be necessary very often, if you think about it. I've done these kind of mod's many times with various electronic gadgets such as scanning receivers, two-way radios, computers & games.

 

apparently the Garmin map software needs to be changed to, so that it will send more data than what will fit onto the stock memory size.

 

Exactly. This is time-consuming, particularly if you don't have "insider information" on the unit and what routine to modify in the programme itself.

 

This is not a get-rich quick scheme in the making. I'm very good with my hands as far as re-working SMD components, but affecting what I consider major modifications is both time consuming and always carries the risk of catastrophic failure.

 

Cheers!

Coupar-Angus

[BeatonNo1]

...

Edited April 18, 2004 by BeatonNo1

[BeatonNo1]

Yeah, I didn't even think about stacking it. However I bet that would take more reworking of the code, and code is something I try to stay away from

[+sledgehampster]

On my Magellan MAP 330 you can load the basemap for the lower end Meridian unit and it basically doubles the memory you can use for maps. You lose some detail on the base map but you get larger detail maps.

[+kiltsurfer]

So I went to Garmin's website and asked them, this is the reply I got.....

 

 

Thank you for your inquiry.

 

Unfortunately, there is not a method to add more memory in the 60CS. The unit uses internal Flash memory and does not use external cards for memory storage. We do have a new GPSMAP76CS coming out soon that offers more memory which offers 115MB of internal memory. http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap76cs/

 

Thank you and best Regards,

 

 

Stacy Derks

Product Support Specialist

 

GARMIN International

1200 E. 151st Street

Olathe, KS 66062 USA

http://www.garmin.com/

 

tel. 800/800.1020

913/397.8200

fax. 913/397.0836

 

Which is what I expected them to say. I guess they need to keep that for their next model upgrade.

[+EtrexRose]

Doesn't garmin's new car autorouting gps have a CF card slot?

[+SBPhishy]

Unfortunately, there is not a method to add more memory in the 60CS. The unit uses internal Flash memory and does not use external cards for memory storage. We do have a new GPSMAP76CS coming out soon that offers more memory which offers 115MB of internal memory. http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap76cs/

 

Awww... they sent you a little hotlink to their other product and everything!

 

Yes... I think the new car GPS has SD cards.