X50/X51V VGAout + USBhosting = carputer | desktopPC

[afarre]

I am to buy an X51V and I would like to use it as a limited desktop PC as far as a carputer. I spent several days searching the web collecting information and I think a brief could be of general interest.

X50/51V seems to be the only one PDA in the market with VGA out
(http://www.firstloox.org/VGAppc.htm),
using other PDAs some sort of presentation interface like this one should be required:
http://www.colorgraphic.net/newsite/..._overview.html
It is very expensive (+$300.00) and it seems to be very limited.

Here there are a couple of reviews I found about Axim VGA output:
http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=87487 (thaks DeMoBLiTzer! :approve: )
http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/arti...,41409&start=0 (very good! :approve: )
In both cases VGAout seems to be good enough including for video playback.

On the other hand, X50/51V does not provide USB hosting. While it is not a big problem when using it as desktopPC because we can use a BT KB/mouse, it is the major drawback when using it as a carputer because all sort of car TFT cames with built in USB touchscreen.

I found several possible solutions but I still haven't found someone reporting to have a touchscreen+Axim working:

1) Adding a Compact Flast USB host interface.
Ratoc CF seems to be the only one product in the market: http://www.ratocsystems.com/english/...ges/cfu1u.html.
Searching aximsite I found lot of compatibility / performace problems using Ratoc. :exc:
If Ratoc was valid, additonal driver problems could appear, here there is a driver that could work: http://www.egalax.com.tw/eg/drivers.htm (thaks new2axim!)
Ratoc CF is expensive ($150.00), forum Ratoc owners help would be apreciated to find out if it could put a touchscreen to work .

2) Could it exist a converter from general USB client device to bluetooth?.
I found some specific device for USB GPS and USB printer, but nothing about general porpouse.
Perhaps it would be the best solution because it is more confortable (wireless) and does not eat the only one CF slot available, keeping it free would be interesting for more advanced carputer functions.

3) At this aximsite topic there are peole trying to build some sort of external interface, I does nor seem to be working yet...
http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showt...2&page=3&pp=24 (thaks new2axim!)

4) Also here there are someone who is trying to enable USB hosting inside X51V, good luck!
http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showt...light=kill+usb

[afarre]

This is just a reminder for all X50/51V + RATOC adapter owners:
Could you please connent any USB mouse or keyboard and tell us what you get?
Thank you.

[darkdestroyer]

I'm interested in this also, bump to you.

[morris_the_Cat]

I am dying to find out if this can work too.

[Pc-Mobile]

X50/51 is not USB host capable.
The Ratoc CF solution should work, at least for X50. There is a question mark for WM5.

You have to ask yourself why you need USB host. Unless you want to connect several USB devices at the same time you could substitute the USB device with one of BT such as mouse, KB and GPS, for a lot less cost than a CF adapter alone. For flash disk, CF/SD are already available.

[new2axim]

X50/51 is not USB host capable.
The Ratoc CF solution should work, at least for X50. There is a question mark for WM5.

Unfortunately, the reviews of the Ratoc imply that there's a question mark for using it at all. I've never heard of anybody getting it to work consistantly

You have to ask yourself why you need USB host.Unless you want to connect several USB devices at the same time you could substitute the USB device with one of BT such as mouse, KB and GPS, for a lot less cost than a CF adapter alone.

He (and I) need the USB host so we can connect to a touch-screen's usb connector.

[morris_the_Cat]

I wonder if this bluetooth trackball would work well with a carputer?
http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/periph...all-138514.php

Basically use the vga-out cable to the touchscreen, and then mount the trackball on the centre cosole somewhere to controll a pointer ont he screen. I believe WM5 has generic pointer capablity doesn't it? Heck, you wouldn't even need a touch screen for this to work. You could use any car monitor & pop a vga to composite converter in behind it.

[new2axim]

Lack of Axim USB makes baby Jesus cry....