BrunDog
Well-known member
A while back I posted a thread about connecting my PocketPC phone to my Active-7 Smart. Well, I updated some things and I thought I'd share.
Personally, I like using my Sprint PocketPC phone as the center of my entertainment and communications hub. First off, it is my phone, so I am never out of contact (keeps the home nagger happy). Second, with a 2 GB card onboard, it has a couple hundred MP3 songs for my listening pleasure. Third, running iGuidance, it is my navigation system, with full maps of FL and GA also on that card. Fourth, running Microsoft VoiceCommand, it is idiot easy to dial a phone contact, or play music - just speak what you want to do and VC does it for you.
Connecting the PPC to the Active-7 was a tad tricky. Since I wanted stereo music, but also wanted the phone connection, I needed to split the audio signals: Stereo out into the Active-7 music port, and mono in into the phone port. Using one of these 4-conductor, 2.5mm plugs and building a custom cable did the trick:
Previously, I had just stuffed the PPC in my tankbag's map pocket, but the damn thing floated around like crazy, the map pocket plastic made it near impossible to touch the screen, it wasn't a very waterproof design, it had no security if I wanted to leave it, and it was hard to see because I needed to look way down and away from the road.
So, a little update was in order. I ordered and installed the Aquabox from Ram Mounts. The Aquabox 2 is just big enough to accommodate the phone and the cables. The box is injection molded nylon and has a unique single piece replaceable ens and seal. The box is therefore waterproof, and the lens allows for button or touchscreen activation of the PPC. While I am starting with a suction-cup mount, if this works well I will upgrade to a locking mount. The Aquabox already has holes for a small padlock or cable lock.
I had to order right angle cables in order to fit. While I was remaking the cable, I installed a ground loop isolator inline to eliminate noise when the PPC is powered. This worked perfectly. Note: the phone plug ground needs to be disconnected entirely in order to route the GND signal through the GLI only.
Here is the fairly completed setup:
Here is the side view:
Here it is with the cover open:
And here is the close up of the right-angle connectors. These were a little tricky to source, but fit perfectly:
If anyone is interested in doing something like this, let me know how I can help.
-BD
Personally, I like using my Sprint PocketPC phone as the center of my entertainment and communications hub. First off, it is my phone, so I am never out of contact (keeps the home nagger happy). Second, with a 2 GB card onboard, it has a couple hundred MP3 songs for my listening pleasure. Third, running iGuidance, it is my navigation system, with full maps of FL and GA also on that card. Fourth, running Microsoft VoiceCommand, it is idiot easy to dial a phone contact, or play music - just speak what you want to do and VC does it for you.
Connecting the PPC to the Active-7 was a tad tricky. Since I wanted stereo music, but also wanted the phone connection, I needed to split the audio signals: Stereo out into the Active-7 music port, and mono in into the phone port. Using one of these 4-conductor, 2.5mm plugs and building a custom cable did the trick:
Previously, I had just stuffed the PPC in my tankbag's map pocket, but the damn thing floated around like crazy, the map pocket plastic made it near impossible to touch the screen, it wasn't a very waterproof design, it had no security if I wanted to leave it, and it was hard to see because I needed to look way down and away from the road.
So, a little update was in order. I ordered and installed the Aquabox from Ram Mounts. The Aquabox 2 is just big enough to accommodate the phone and the cables. The box is injection molded nylon and has a unique single piece replaceable ens and seal. The box is therefore waterproof, and the lens allows for button or touchscreen activation of the PPC. While I am starting with a suction-cup mount, if this works well I will upgrade to a locking mount. The Aquabox already has holes for a small padlock or cable lock.
I had to order right angle cables in order to fit. While I was remaking the cable, I installed a ground loop isolator inline to eliminate noise when the PPC is powered. This worked perfectly. Note: the phone plug ground needs to be disconnected entirely in order to route the GND signal through the GLI only.
Here is the fairly completed setup:
Here is the side view:
Here it is with the cover open:
And here is the close up of the right-angle connectors. These were a little tricky to source, but fit perfectly:
If anyone is interested in doing something like this, let me know how I can help.
-BD
