VeloAce
| VeloAce
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|---|---|
 VeloAce mounted on the Palm Vx on the handlebar |
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| Basic data
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| developer | Mark Hämmerling |
| Current version |
2009.6 ( June 11, 2009 ) |
| operating system | Palm OS 3.5 to 4.1 |
| License | GNU General Public License (GPL) |
| German speaking | No |
| http://www.engbedded.com/veloace/ | |
VeloAce is an open source program for the Palm OS operating system that allows you to use a Palm compatible PDA as a bike computer .
Functions
In addition to the pure speed measurement and the "usual" functions of a bike computer such as daily and total kilometers or average and maximum speed, VeloAce offers the possibility of saving logs of (training) trips and sending them to other Palm OS PDAs or computers via IrDA , z. B. for evaluation. VeloAce also offers a training mode with a lap counter and lap time measurement. Optionally, the last or best ten lap times including the respective average speeds can be displayed in a list.
The user also benefits from the hardware used, such as the large display of the Palm OS PDA (from 160 × 160 pixels ) or the ability to switch on the backlight when it is dark.
Connection with the bike
There are two options for connecting to the bike sensor (which, like most other bike computers, is also a simple magnetic switch):
VAIF-1
Here the connection is made via the serial RS-232 interface of the PDA (pins RxD and RTS). So an old modem cable can be used for the connection. Since not all Palm-compatible PDAs have a complete RS-232 interface, this method is e.g. B. cannot be used with the devices of the Handspring -Visor series.
VAIF-2
In order to use more modern PDAs and those without RS232 interfaces, the IrDA interface can be used for connection via a simple circuit that is mounted on the bike.
The author provides detailed descriptions of the structure of both variants on the program's website (see web links ).
Usable PDAs
VeloAce runs on all Palm-compatible PDAs with Palm OS 3.5 or newer (There are minor display problems under Palm OS 3.3, but the program can be used). For example, the following PDAs from Palm Inc. can be used (incomplete overview):
- Palm III (Flash ROM)
- Palm IIIe (Palm OS 3.3, no Flash ROM)
- Palm IIIx (Flash ROM)
- Palm IIIxe (Flash ROM)
- Palm IIIc (Flash ROM)
- Palm Vx (Flash ROM)
- including m500, m505, m515 and m130
- Tungsten T, T2, T3, C, W, Zire 71
Some PDAs from the Tungsten and Zire series do not have an RS232 interface and can therefore only be used with an infrared connection.
Devices with a high-resolution screen (from 320 × 320 px) are not explicitly supported. Graphic errors can occur there.
Devices with Flash ROM can be upgraded to Palm OS 4.1 with an OS upgrade and are therefore potentially suitable in principle.
Even if the manufacturer Palm Inc. claims that older devices only support upgrades up to Palm OS 3.3, they can be updated to newer versions, provided they are flash ROM.
Devices from other manufacturers such as Handspring or Sony are also supported with restrictions (see above ).