Re: iPaq wiring, cradles and mounts for gliders - Ideas??

Hi Jim,

I imagine you've seen the cradles and cables on my web site.  They are
expensive, but many customers really like the way they work.  I've sold
hundreds of the cradles and cable systems.

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring Supplies
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com

"Jim Kelly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Greetings!
>
> Anyone found a cradle for an iPaq that suits use in a glider and
> doesn't require amputation of a limb to pay for it??
>
> We are considering standardising the mounting facilities in our club
> fleet and the costs of multiple cradles seem prohibitive at this
> time.
>
> The main hurdle to overcome is to protect the delicate plug/socket
> interface at the base of the iPaq. Using a simple cradle with a
> built in strong connection would be ideal, especially if the wires
> exit backwards (much like the iPaq desktop cradles).
>
> One possibility is to use NO cradle! A system of using Velcro on the
> iPaq back (and on the mount plate closest to the pilot) will do if
> necessary and this would mean that our mounts cater equally well for
> pilot's with handheld GPS units. So then we would just need nice
> short strong plugs to suit the iPaq that turn the cable out of the
> way of the pilot's knee.
>
> Anyone "been-there-done-that" who can help??
>
> I guess the next questions to come to mind involve the cable's
> electrical connections. Presumably +5v, Ground, DataOut, DataIn. Any
> others needed? We have pondered many alternatives for 'the other
> end' of the cable (RJ45, etc) but have pretty much decided to use
> 9pin-D connectors as many folks already have (or will need) a
> similar (serial) cable to connect (say) a gps to their desktop
> computer. CAI 302 varios also use this and we have several of them
> to include in our thoughts. Here are some useful links re iPaq
> pinouts etc fyi:
> http://bevhoward.com/SERIAL.htm#38xx
> http://www.handhelds.org/Compaq/iPAQH3600/iPAQ_H3600.html
>
> Anyone able to tell if it is safe to allocate one pin (which one)
> for +12v for use by Garmin GPS units, etc?? I fear that if we choose
> the wrong pin someone might use the cable in another manner and
> damage either piece of equipment. Am I being over anxious here? Are
> there already established conventions for which [9pin-D] pins to use
> for the +5v, Ground, DataOut, DataIn connections.
>
> Finally there seems to be a number of adjustable mounts available,
> from RAM, etc. Seems like a 3" to 4" overall length would be good
> with a clamping thumbscrew and 1" diameter balls, one to screw to
> the panel, other fitted to either a flat plate covered in Velcro, or
> to an iPaq cradle. Are we on the right track here?
>
> Thanks for your helping if you can,
>
> Best regards,
>
> Jim Kelly
>