Last time i got out with the RZR, I got VERY lost in the Ozark national forest in Arkansas. I had no cell reception and the map I was carrying got ruined by rain! Thankfully I figured my way out by shear luck, but as soon as i got back, i started searching for a cheap "backcountry" GPS devices. I’d love to have the Lowrance GPS but $800 is almost a superatv "S" conversion (priorities right?!)!

Several months ago I tinkered around with a Raspberry Pi to make a cheap HTPC (home theater PC). For those of you that don’t know, a Raspberry Pi is a credit card–sized single-board computer initially designed to be a cheap platform for teaching basic computer science in schools. For only $35, you get a capable computer with HDMI out, internet connectivity, and USB ports. It’s open source meaning the source code is freely available and may be redistributed and modified.

Yesterday i started researching if i could use my Raspberry Pi to make a homemade GPS device for the RZR. I don’t care about ‘turn by turn’ trail directions or 3d mapping. I just want to be able to plot my trucks LatLong and have the RaspPi tell me which direction to travel (N,S,E,W) and the distance back. Well, i found this GPS attachment for the RasPi from Adafruit (geek site):

Adafruit Ultimate GPS HAT for Raspberry Pi A+/B+/Pi 2 – Mini Kit ID: 2324 – $44.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

It’s an incredibility sensitive GPS unit that can plug directly into the Raspberry Pi.

For the screen, i decided to use a OLED (like an E-reader) to be easly visible in direct sun, like the one below. I could mount the screen directly in the dash.

Monochrome 128×32 I2C OLED graphic display ID: 931 – $17.50 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

I’m still researching the inputs, like buttons or possibly a remote? And i’ll also need to figure out the GUI. I figured i’d start a post and keep track of the project in case someone else is interested! Stay tuned.