I received my PSP-290 (GPS device) a few days back and I must say, AVEC is pretty bad ass, especially the turn-by-turn navigation business. Now with 3D terrain mode and improved MPI routines, we present: Art’s AVEC V6.

I’ve been using this site to get my maps; I’m not sure what’s with all the religious POIs in my area. Oh yeah, I also recommend you use the included MP Converter tool; having the PSP do this takes forever.

AVEC V6 Changes:

• Implemented 3D terrain view mode for topographic maps with two configurable terrain exaggeration levels.
• Fixed bug present only in user mode version where the grid was not rotating with map while in GPS mode.
• Removed canvas size option from the configuration menu.
• Changed position indicator slightly to improve visibility.
• Added street names to map display at highest zoom level if street names are available in the map file.
• Fixed zoom routine to ensure highest zoom level is always available.
• Changed the default GPS mode zoom level to the highest zoom level.
• Removed delays in image capture routine that were not supposed to be present in any public release.
• Improved the look and the control of scrolling in the configuration menu.
• Sound now works in GPS mode for user mode version only. USB GPS routines are running in a dedicated thread.
• Implemented new compressed mpi file format resulting in faster map file searching and smaller file size.
• The PSP-290 USB GPS unit can now be plugged in after the user mode version of the program has started.
• Fixed bug in mpi converter routine. Program would crash if a street name began with an open bracket character.
• Program no longer adjusts the PSP clock speed. By default, the PSP will run at 222MHz.

Download: AVEC V6

- source: dcemu

This demo is pretty cool…

It is Art’s AVEC with a serial connected GPS device and a USB powered PSP Go Cam (PSP-300). Every time the map screen is drawn and saved to a file, a picture from the cam is snapped and saved as well. Cropping and vertically stacking the images then paint the perfect picture above.

- source: youtube

That’s what I’m talking ’bout: PSP-290 GPS support with Art’s AVEC. And of course V5 features more than just that; see the full change log below. Two versions are now included: 1) support for serial connected GPS devices using the 1.50 kernel, and 2) support for the PSP-290 GPS accessory on whatever custom firmware.

AVEC — Vector Mapping & GPS Map Viewer — V5:

• Implementation of Deniska’s PSP-290 test program routines provides compatibility with the PSP-290.
• Added signal strength indicator to user mode version of the program for PSP-290.
• Added colour cycling circle around pointer crosshair to make it easier to see.
• Improved joystick controlled map rotation feature for track up mode without a GPS device.
• Greatly improved the speed of rotation routine for faster drawing in track up display mode.
• Improved accuracy of screen position by removing zoom levels that cause float rounding error. This fixed a bug in the find place by name feature where the found place may not have been on the screen.
• Fixed bug in screen capture routine. Saved images were horizontally offset by one pixel.
• Improved text entry method for find place by name feature by implementing optional analogue selector.
• Fix to projection routines to resolve a problem that caused some lines and polygons to appear squashed toward the bottom of the screen. This may have added a noticeable processing overhead.

Congratulations on owning the Neoflash 2009 Summer Coding Competition in the PSP apps division, and thanks for the PSP-290 support. Cheers!

Download: AVEC V5

- source: dcemu

Longtime PSP developer Art, whom you may recognize from such homebrew as X-Flash, has shared something I’ve yet to witness in the PSP homebrew scene…

In the obvious early stages of development, Art notes this program will eventually compliment his Garmin GPSMAP 60CSX with text-to-speech functionality. The finished program will also provide additional navigation details on the PSP screen; thus, two instructional screens to ensure you find your destination with ease.

Personally I’d like to see this app take off; stay tuned for more updates as they become available. Nice WIP, Art.

- source: qj