I got a GPS Navigator from a friend to be updated ...

After update, i am trying it for several days now, but seems to have a slow refresh.
I know of other Navigators that have better performance, but i think that 3-4 secs refresh is enough for a Navigator and not get lost.

The question is: Could a MSX work as GPS Navigator?

I know it has to decode maps and satellite information, recalculate position, etc. I think satellites are not really a problem, as GPS antennas can communicate at 1200 bauds...

I also know there are some complex calculations with coordinates and so, but i think there are some tricks to make calculations more simple such a simple Z80 can do good performance.

Also, if 3D display is a problem, maybe a 2D can do the trick.

Maybe somebody who has dealt with complex calculation in assembler can clarify if MSX has enough power to do it.

As far i think calculation are done in the receiver and it transfers the coordinates.

Ehhrr... and where in my car is the good place for a Turbo-R with 14'' RGB monitor?

And an OCM and a 12" lcd?

You're right!

A regular MSX can be too big to fit into a car

Maybe an OCM with a tiny 3" or 4". Most modern GPS do have small screens .

But think about the challenge of having it working in an MSX...

ehem... and the keyboard? Or are you thinking in a tactile screen thingy for an MSX?

A tactile screen can be a sollution (and easy to implement as a mouse), but i think that a special pad/joystick can be enough.

think about the vdp redisplaying the full map 2/3 times x second (that is one full screen).......

What's the use? You can't fit an entire MSX in a car! So if you could make the hard and software for a MSX/GPS device, the only thing you would see is your own house.

So, you can take it out to your grandma's home, and then you can connect the MSX and see... your grandma's house place!!
And then, you go to your girlfriend's home... and so...

I don't know if this invent is possible but regarding to size, ESE MSX SYSTEM 4 is just a MSX fitted in a cartridge.

Quote:

What's the use? You can't fit an entire MSX in a car!

You guys have small cars My MSX fits easily to my car! but seriously, I won´t fit my MSXs to my car´s dashboard! But if you can keep big cd players, speakers etc in a trunk, maybe you can keep MSX in a trunk too, I guess most cars have enough trunk space for MSX? Just use long wires... But I guess cold and wet climate can damage your MSX, if you bolt your msx to your car´s trunk permanently....

Well, for me the question wouldn't be, how this fits in my car and what display and input device I should connect, but, as Mohai already said, if this would be possible.

But yes, at least a route planer has already be done on a Z80 system, using the A* best-first algorithm:
http://www.cpcwiki.com/index.php/RoutePlanner

The step to a navigation system shouldn't be too big.
Regarding the display: Don't forget, that old navigation systems didn't display the map at all, but simple arrows, which were showing you the direction you have to drive.

Quote:

Regarding the display: Don't forget, that old navigation systems didn't display the map at all, but simple arrows, which were showing you the direction you have to drive.

Low end built in car navigation systems still do. High end systems have both the map on a big color LCD and the arrow indication in the instrument cluster (or, for really high end, projected on the wind screen)

A colleague recently cross-compiled fmsx for a rear seat entertainment device. Quite funny to play Aleste with a wimote.