plain james
Newbie level 1
I would like to buy an earthmate GPS receiver (https://www.delorme.com/earthmate/moreinfo.asp) for use with my ipaq, but there's a problem: delorme, in its infinite wisdom, has devised a "powerpack" for use with pocket PCs. This thing costs $70 - $140 (w/ or w/o bluetooth) and is of no use to me whatsoever. I only want to use this in my car and don't need a batterypack or bluetooth capabilities, but they have cleverly made this the ONLY way to hook up an ipaq (very crafty - but I have a plan). The receiver is USB powered (hence the powerpack) so here's my plan: frankenstein a Y-cable which runs between the USB plug on the ipaq and the plug on the receiver, and a cigarette-lighter power adapter which powers both devices. I can get a raw plug for the ipaq (https://www.gomadic.com/gomadic-new/ipconplug38s.html), "reconfigure" the USB cable that comes with the receiver and solder in a car power adapter. But where I once was fairly handy with electronics and the like, I'm afraid I'm a bit rusty - not to mention wholly unfamiliar with USB power requirements. Both devices require 5v (obviously) but I'm not sure of the amperage, though it shouldn't be hard to draw from the car's inverter. Does this sound practicable without blowing my precious ipaq a new one and sending the GPS into orbit (though I've always wanted a moonroof. . .)? Incidentally the ipaq is a 2215. Any help will be greatly appreciated.