PriusChat Presents Prius Drive Thru

[Prius Drive Thru]

Hobbit, the "deth wish" shot slayed me. I loved your shots of the trip. It's cool to see places we'll be visiting soon ourselves.

Electric, officially noted you never pronounced judgment on Drive Thru.

And lighten up on Canada. I love that place. We did a priusownersgroup road trip there a few years ago to Quebec City during their Winter Carnaval. It was a complete blast. I've been dying to get back there. It's a truly wonderful city.

And I would love to do the cross continental highway in Canada. The stuff that I've seen from that drive is amazing.

Bob, I totally love the idea of a Prius relay with some kind of trophy that's passed along. A seriously cool idea. We need to do that.

[Rae Vynn]

I've driven (and ridden... shared driving) from Winnipeg to the Canadian Rockies, and thence down into Idaho. I'd love to, say, start in Vancouver, and drive all the way across to ... um, showing my ignorance here... the East Coast of Canada.

My piece of road trip advice for Prius Drive Thru (Russell)... don't forget to STOP at rest areas! Even if the Prius doesn't need fuel, and YOU don't need to stop for a comfort break, your co-driver probably WILL.

[bwilson4web]

Hi Russell,

Originally Posted by Prius Drive Thru

. . .
Also Bob, I would really love it if someone who was math literate (which I am not) would create some kind of MPG matrix so I could track MPG over various conditions and then get some good average numbers as well. I'm willing to provide with any information you need if you can help organize it in some rational fashion. My thought was to break down each day into segments by general road conditions or type of driving (urban versus freeway versus state road for instance). Any help you can offer here Bob would be greatly appreciated.
. . .

I wanted to address this for everyone taking a vacation or long trips. If you are going to use cruise control on a relatively flat stretch of road (actually any road,) the trick is to reset one of the trip meters and then record the data when you pull in for a stop:


What we need is:

• start and end location - something we can Google map like exit number and interstate
• distance - see trip meter
• MPG - from trip meter
• average speed - from trip meter
• temperature - needed to understand air density
• optional - head or tail wind, rain, A/C, impressions

In a perfect world, the data table would look like:

speed	MPG	distance	temperature	starting	ending	notes
70	62	120	82	Exit-24,I-24	Exit-144,I-24	headwinds
65	58	80	72	Exit-33,I-128	Exit-113,I-128	rain

The first three elements are critical. Temperature is desirable and starting, ending and notes are optional. The stop-start locations allow us to check altitude as well understand the terrain but don't sweat the small stuff. This makes is easy to enter into a spreadsheet and plot the data. If you are going to record the data on a PDA or phone, just put commas between the fields for easy import into excel.

NOTE: this is not a competition. We only want to know what the Prius does. <grins>

Bob Wilson

[Prius Drive Thru]

speed	MPG	distance	temperature	starting	ending	notes
70	62	120	82	Exit-24,I-24	Exit-144,I-24	headwinds
65	58	80	72	Exit-33,I-128	Exit-113,I-128	rain

Bob, yes that's perfect. I can and will record and report that information daily. I'd love to find a way to accurately report the beginning and ending location. I've contemplated a cheap, handheld GPS for just that purpose. If I can find a hundred bucks or so I might just do that.

And to go off on a tangent here. I think the one thing Toyota hasn't exploited very well with the Prius would be adding a more sophisticated computer system for the driver/passenger to access. I can't help but think how cool that Mac mini was installed in GenII Prius and how even that install didn't really tap into what an integrated computer could do to enhance the driver experience. It would be that expensive to do but obviously it's not a priority.

Bob, if you have any more ideas on data collection, please just let me know. And that applies to anyone else here. If there is something I can reasonably do to document this trip and possibly enhance our understanding of how this new vehicle performs, I'm all for it. Just drop me a line or post here.

Thanks.

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by Prius Drive Thru

. . .
Bob, if you have any more ideas on data collection, please just let me know. And that applies to anyone else here. If there is something I can reasonably do to document this trip and possibly enhance our understanding of how this new vehicle performs, I'm all for it. Just drop me a line or post here.

If you can get a Garmin nuvi, like the 260W, it will automatically record your trip including the altitude. With your Mac, you can read out a complete trace of the trip.

GARMIN NUVI

If you get one, it will have a USB cable that is needed to download and upgrade the software as well as the map. With a Macintosh, there is 'timing' window you have to be careful about or the Garmin's file system will be damaged and it has to be returned. But it can be done:

1. Download the Garmin WebUpdater - have it on the computer before EVER plugging in the nuvi to the USB port.
   1. I had to return the first one because I tried to 'charge' the nuvi batteries with the USB cable and did not dismount it correctly.
2. Follow the instructions and stay by the Mac during the upgrade, 3-5 minutes, and don't leave it alone. Stay during the "Updating..." phase and monitor progress.
3. When the message "Please disconnect the device from your computer and allow it to start up" pops up, you have a 30 second window, plenty of time, to disconnect the USB cable. It is a race you need to win.
   1. I had to return the second nuvi because of this (Costco return policy is great!)

Eventually I got the timing right on the upgrade and life is good.

TRIP LOG

The "Trip Log" is a record of every point until it is cleared. The "Trip Log" can be downloaded by plugging in the Garmin to the USB port and mounting the USB disk image:

1. Open the volume "Garmin"
2. Open the folder "Garmin/GPX"
3. Copy the file "Current.gpx" to some local folder and rename it to something you'll remember
4. Dismount the USB volume (be sure and pull the USB plug)
5. Startup nuvi, use 'tools', "My Data," and clear the "Trip Log"

Use the Perl program attached to this message to convert the *.gpx file into an excel compatible text file with time-stamp, longitude, latitude and altitude. Then use excel to convert each point into a relative X-Y location, velocity profile and altitude profile.

A couple of cautions:

• thieves look for evidence of a portable GPS and break the window to grab them - so when you park, make sure all cables and devices are 'hidden' ... this includes the suction mounting disk
• do put a 4-digit pass code on the GPS so if it is stolen, it will remain unusable and traceable (e-mail yourself the serial number and details)
• if you use the 12 VDC power plug, the Garmin will work automatically ... there is no need to start it manually as it will automatically find satellites, typically 30 seconds, and automatically trace the path
• in Huntsville, the nuvi works perfectly fine in the forward cup holder but of course the more exposed it is under the window, the more accurate and reliable the operation

I understand there are other Garmin tools around that may be easier to use but I wanted access to the raw data and my own analysis routines. Also, XML experts will probably be appalled at my hack and they are welcome to add theirs. <grins>

If this seems technically daunting, send me a PM and we can work something out. But a little practice goes a long way to taking the "newness" off.

PRIVACY CONCERNS

The trip log is automatic and works even if the unit is just powered on and not opened for use. If a software locked, 'nuvi' unit were in a car in a place not known to the driver and reasonably exposed to the sky, the "Trip Log" would provide a record of where ever the car had travelled with enough information to calculate speed. This is a functioning, electronic tail of the car.

Such data could be useful in an accident investigation, challenging a traffic ticket, or understanding why the vehicle mileage has recently taken a dive. However, I have no interest in supporting such investigation analysis of 'nuvi' trip data.

Bob Wilson

[cwerdna]

Originally Posted by eak354

awww.... he's also skipping hawaii!

LOL! Those darned "interstate" highways...

Originally Posted by FireEngineer

Or any of my numerous Prius related road trips, including stalking the Prius Team in March for the drive time. But I still had fun. And Russell takes better pictures.

Wayne

Ahh... that's why I bumped into you in SF. I didn't realize...

Russell: You gotta drop by a Toyota dealer in each city you've listed, like one particular web site we all know and love? j/k

[bwilson4web]

<AHEM>Visit a dealership? I don't think so unless invited.

With rare exception, dealerships are going to be 'in town'. The Nashville schedule shows arrival on a Sunday and most dealerships would be closed. Instead, head towards the vistas, the outlooks, the views. Let's ask the local folks to propose 'good places to eat' and places to meet.

Downtown Nashville by "Market Square" has a beautiful park that overlooks the river. There is a Southern tradition of 'bring a dish' and that would be a great place to have a picnic meeting, take photos and enjoy a beautiful vista. But we're just visitors from Huntsville and Nashvillians might have some better suggestions.

I've been to the Unitarian Church in Nashville and it is very nice ... a great place to enjoy and feed the soul. That would be another nice place to meet.

Now another possibility is to survey the "MeetUp" web site and look for Prius friendly groups. It doesn't take much to contact them and ask if they might propose a 'get together.' This would be a great way to reach out to local communities.

Just some random thoughts.

Bob Wilson

ps. I didn't mention it at the time but that "GreenHuman" nonsense showed only dealerships and car lots. They drove past great vistas and bypassed beautiful rivers to hunker down to 'car lots.' That is about as 'green' as visiting an oil refinery.

[patsparks]

Russell,
Can you seek further sponsorship from a road transport company? If you can find a willing transport company to fit your Prius with satellite tracking then vehicle movements, speed and even fuel consumption can all be recorded remotely on some systems and maybe even published on line.
Some of these systems are
GPS Vehicle Tracking System | Fleet Management System: SmartTrack
Get the latest GPS tracking system- versatile tracker that outperforms other systems
IntelliTrac GPS Tracking System, GPS Stolen vehicle Tracking, GPS Fleet Management. From as little as $.130 per day with No Upfront Costs
I like this idea! Mighty GPS - trackstick datalogger

I think these are Australia systems but something similar must be available in the USA.
Maybe you already thought of this?

By the way, there are 7 more states on this side of the Pacific!

[cwerdna]

Originally Posted by patsparks

I think these are Australia systems but something similar must be available in the USA.

We've had Qualcomm Products and Services - OmniTRACS Mobile Communications System apparently since 1988. About the only info I know about is from what we were told when I interviewed for a job w/them back in 1996 or 1997. They gave us a high level overview of the system and showed us the control/monitoring center at their HQ.

The bowl shaped antenna housing is still pretty commonly seen on big rig trucks around here.

I remember seeing http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2008/01/c...s_buddy_tu.php at CES. Now that I think about it, I think the timeframe is too short to swing any sort of deal/sponsorship before the start of the trip.

[Flying White Dutchman]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

If you can get a Garmin nuvi, like the 260W, it will automatically record your trip including the altitude. With your Mac, you can read out a complete trace of the trip.

GARMIN NUVI

If you get one, it will have a USB cable that is needed to download and upgrade the software as well as the map. With a Macintosh, there is 'timing' window you have to be careful about or the Garmin's file system will be damaged and it has to be returned. But it can be done:

1. Download the Garmin WebUpdater - have it on the computer before EVER plugging in the nuvi to the USB port.
   1. I had to return the first one because I tried to 'charge' the nuvi batteries with the USB cable and did not dismount it correctly.
2. Follow the instructions and stay by the Mac during the upgrade, 3-5 minutes, and don't leave it alone. Stay during the "Updating..." phase and monitor progress.
3. When the message "Please disconnect the device from your computer and allow it to start up" pops up, you have a 30 second window, plenty of time, to disconnect the USB cable. It is a race you need to win.
   1. I had to return the second nuvi because of this (Costco return policy is great!)

Eventually I got the timing right on the upgrade and life is good.

TRIP LOG

The "Trip Log" is a record of every point until it is cleared. The "Trip Log" can be downloaded by plugging in the Garmin to the USB port and mounting the USB disk image:

1. Open the volume "Garmin"
2. Open the folder "Garmin/GPX"
3. Copy the file "Current.gpx" to some local folder and rename it to something you'll remember
4. Dismount the USB volume (be sure and pull the USB plug)
5. Startup nuvi, use 'tools', "My Data," and clear the "Trip Log"

Use the Perl program attached to this message to convert the *.gpx file into an excel compatible text file with time-stamp, longitude, latitude and altitude. Then use excel to convert each point into a relative X-Y location, velocity profile and altitude profile.

A couple of cautions:

• thieves look for evidence of a portable GPS and break the window to grab them - so when you park, make sure all cables and devices are 'hidden' ... this includes the suction mounting disk
• do put a 4-digit pass code on the GPS so if it is stolen, it will remain unusable and traceable (e-mail yourself the serial number and details)
• if you use the 12 VDC power plug, the Garmin will work automatically ... there is no need to start it manually as it will automatically find satellites, typically 30 seconds, and automatically trace the path
• in Huntsville, the nuvi works perfectly fine in the forward cup holder but of course the more exposed it is under the window, the more accurate and reliable the operation

I understand there are other Garmin tools around that may be easier to use but I wanted access to the raw data and my own analysis routines. Also, XML experts will probably be appalled at my hack and they are welcome to add theirs. <grins>

If this seems technically daunting, send me a PM and we can work something out. But a little practice goes a long way to taking the "newness" off.

PRIVACY CONCERNS

The trip log is automatic and works even if the unit is just powered on and not opened for use. If a software locked, 'nuvi' unit were in a car in a place not known to the driver and reasonably exposed to the sky, the "Trip Log" would provide a record of where ever the car had travelled with enough information to calculate speed. This is a functioning, electronic tail of the car.

Such data could be useful in an accident investigation, challenging a traffic ticket, or understanding why the vehicle mileage has recently taken a dive. However, I have no interest in supporting such investigation analysis of 'nuvi' trip data.

Bob Wilson

can you post the gpx file?
i can convert it to KML ( google earth ) and make a screen dump