Garmin Mobile PC

f1racr · June 29th, 2008, 07:57 PM

Hi all,

I know this is my first post and I am new to the whole Car PC arena, however I've done at least a couple of months worth of reading and have now got my 2 development car PC's built........ figured out the only real front end that seemed to be close to working properly in all area's was Centrafuse and so I'm going to take the plunge an purchase some licences, however the issue I have is.........

I'm based in New Zealand and there are no other real navigation options here for PC's other than Garmin Mobile PC. It works really well, but I'm of course wanting to include it into my Centrafuse RC5 install to see it all working together before I purchase the front end and then realise it just isn't going to happen.

I'm happy to donate towards someone efforts as I'm no freeloader and appreciate that this sorta stuff although interesting, is also time consuming.......

Can anyone help ? I know there's a NAV section to the website, but I figured this is more of a skin issue........

assault · June 29th, 2008, 08:24 PM

Hey another NZ'er! welcome aboard. I'm using Garmin Mobile PC in conjunction with CF. Currently I cannot get it to embed properley into CF but it doesnt stop me using it. It is a really good program but I just wish GMPC had an on screen keyboard, then it would be usable without an issue.
So the biggest problem you will face is inputing addresses. I'm trying to get the CF OSK working for embedded apps but it is supposed to be working in RC5, just it isnt for me. Not sure whats happening there as I need to investigate more. I currently use a micro usb keyboard about the size of a small cellphone but had previously used a griffin powermate in conjunction with Zorro's Mouse Wheel Input application, which has an awesome form of OSK.
I really want to see a proper plugin for GMPC to embed it into CF as Garmin are by far the leaders in GPS Navigation and this app is set to take off.
Dont let this stop you though, I still manage to run CF and GMPC together with a touchscreen and micro keyboard stored in the glove box (I mostly use a Griffin Powermate to control CF though as its easier).

f1racr · June 29th, 2008, 08:32 PM

Thanks for the fast reply........... so this is really more of a plugin issue than a skinning issue then ?? as I forgot about the OSK issue...........

I don't really want to have an external keyboard, I've got a few hanging around, but I really am trying to make my car PC's ,more like an appliance than a PC so would like it to be all hand controlled. I know you're just saying to use a keyboard in the meantime, I get that, just explaining long term what I'm after.

Centrafuse seems to be the only front end I've looked at that does everything as I'd expected with things like the wifi and other sections looking consistent rather than just removing the bars from the windows default stuff and plonking it on the screen......that's pretty tacky.

I'm not interested in having the world available to me, just what's needed to make it useful.............. Centrafuse looks like it's the answer to 90% of my headaches so far...

PS if you're ever in Wellington........ send me a PM.

assault · June 29th, 2008, 09:15 PM

Yeah I'm trying to do the same as well. I dont like having to have and use an external keyboard, I really want it like an applicance too. If I could do everything from the touchscreen I would be very happy so hopefully the embedded app OSK gets fixed up in the next version. I'm sure it will be sorted eventually though, I have faith in the Flux team

Other than GMPC, CF works really well for me, but I'm not using too many things like email or radio or TV although I do plan on adding DVB-T TV and DAB radio once the plugin gets made, just mainly using the basics.

jmc1414 · June 30th, 2008, 10:15 AM

what version are you guys using of the garmin software?

Scott · June 30th, 2008, 12:04 PM

just an fyi, been spending a lot of time on this osk issue for ext apps, thought it was fixed in rc5 (but not), it's giving us headaches still, but it will be fixed in the next release.

_Dejan_ · June 30th, 2008, 02:29 PM

Im using GMPC 5.00.10 and can't embed it to CF because garmin "locked" minimal resolution and there we can't do a lot... Im read that many others OSK doesn't work with GMPC...

assault · June 30th, 2008, 08:39 PM

I'm using GMPC 5.00.10 too.

Although I hate to say this but Roadrunner is capable of embedding it properley, so it should be possible in CF too. OSK will work also once the Flux team sort out the bugs. I have been able to get the OSK to type some stuff into GMPC so I know it is possible to work once the OSK is sorted out properley.

If OSK is sorted out then GMPC will be usable in conjunction with CF, just gets a little tricky switching between the 2 apps.

_Dejan_ · July 1st, 2008, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by assault

I'm using GMPC 5.00.10 too.

Although I hate to say this but Roadrunner is capable of embedding it properley, so it should be possible in CF too. OSK will work also once the Flux team sort out the bugs. I have been able to get the OSK to type some stuff into GMPC so I know it is possible to work once the OSK is sorted out properley.

If OSK is sorted out then GMPC will be usable in conjunction with CF, just gets a little tricky switching between the 2 apps.

Can you post picture ho look GMPC in RoadRunner?

assault · July 1st, 2008, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Dejan_

Can you post picture ho look GMPC in RoadRunner?

Just realized this is actually in a 800x600 skin, but it works everytime, whereas CF doesnt really grab it and position it properley.

Just to clarify though, if RR (or any app) tries to embed in a space smaller than the minimum size of GMPC (800x450) it wont fit on screen. A larger space will work fine in RR though but not in CF.