Placer 455DR

This is a Trimble GPS receiver that is designed for use in public service vehicles such as fire engines, police cars, and taxis.

The most interesting part of this (old obsolete) GPS receiver is that it has a "heading" accessory that has a piezoelectric gyroscope in it.

This gives it the ability to estimate your position when you drive through tunnels or are losing satellite lock in urban canyons. (The sample map shows it on Market Street in San Francisco, and I can tell you it would be useful there.)

Set up

I got one on eBay a few years ago and decided to unpack it and look at it.

I also need the special power cable.

I have a small mag mount roof top antenna that I can use.

I also have a DGPS beacon receiver, I should drag it out too while I am at it.

Heading sensor

I need the cable that goes from the gyro to the Placer. Part number 30315

I need to connect an odometer signal and a reverse signal. (I suppose I could ignore reverse gear! I don't drive much in that direction.) It won't work without the odometer connection.

After it's all hooked up it has to be calibrated. There is a program and tech note to run. Get your MSDOS machine ready. (I mean MSDOS not Windows...)

Links

Description: http://www.trimble.com/placer450455_pfm.shtml

Firmware and control program download page http://www.trimble.com/placer450455_pfm_ts.asp?Nav=Collection-553