Cheap programmable GPS devices

Question

I'd like to start a side project that involves programming with GPS devices. All that I need is a GPS device that can record its location every X seconds or minutes, save those locations locally, and then send the list to a central server.

I know that iPhones have GPS support, but I don't want to spend $300+ on an iPhone and another $1000 on a mac computer. Any ideas on some reasonably cheap (ideally under $100) devices that can do this?

Two features that would be nice to have, although not important while I do some basic playing around: 1) Able to transmit data over Internet, especially long distances 2) Durable enough that they can be dropped/left in the rain and will still function.

Solution 1

Try looking for devices like Trimble Trimtrac Locator or enter "gps gsm" request into Google.

Solution 2

If you don't want to buy an iPhone and all it's other components or worry about a phone at all, you could build your own GPS unit.

You will need a GPS unit itself, which you can get at SparkFun for around $50. In fact, they have a good guide on which to buy as well. Find it here.

After you have a GPS receiver and can receive data, you will just have to start routing the data as you wish. Initially, you could set up communication up over a serial port very easily. Or if you wanted to give it internet support, there are various boards that will take serial data, convert it, and send it over an ethernet connection (aka Internet).

As for protecting against drops and such, you should be able to fashion a case or housing for $10-$20.

This approach will take a little more effort on your part, but you should be able to get exactly what you want, save a little money, AND learn all about hardware and electronics!

Good luck!

Edit: After looking at SparkFun some more, I found out they actually sell GPS breakout boards that automatically wire a serial port and USB port for you to use for under $40! Take a look here.

Solution 3

Look at the Garmin GPS18x OEM. Can be found for $85 and less.

The GPS 18x is an OEM GPS sensor for use in automotive, fleet vehicle, and electronics applications that require a small, highly accurate GPS receiver.

This device can connect to a serial or USB port on most computers. Programs running on the computer receive a stream of data packets from the device.

An example of such a program is gpsd, which includes the device mentioned above in the Compatible Hardware list. gpsd is open source, so it can be used as an example of using a GPS device in a program. It is also quite useful in itself for transmitting GPS information over the internet.

gpsd is a service daemon that monitors one or more GPSes attached to a host computer through serial or USB ports, making all data on the location/course/velocity of the sensors available to be queried on TCP port 2947 of the host computer. With gpsd, multiple GPS client applications (such as navigational and wardriving software) can share access to GPSes without contention or loss of data.