Instead of investing in an ordinary GPS module, one Maker put his own punky twist on geocaching.
After reading about geocaching, Folkert van Heusden decided that it was a hobby worth exploring. However, the Maker didn’t want to invest in one of those run-of-the-mill, walk around GPS modules. Instead, he wanted to create his own steampunk-inspired unit.
To bring this idea to life, van Heusden rounded up an inexpensive GPS module, a 6600mAh LiPo battery and an Arduino Nano (ATmega328), along with pair of analog meters on eBay to serve as distance and directional indicators. The meter on the left shows the angle to the destination, while the other reveals the proximity. An embedded beeper emits a sound that increases in frequency the closer one gets to the geocache.
Beyond that, van Heusden employed a couple switches for turning the beeper and power on/off and two quad seven segment displays for the interface, which he used to select and check both the longitude and latitude coordinates, as well as set a new target.
All of the electronics are housed inside an antique wooden box, and are situated on a laser-cut wooden panel to give it that authentic steampunk look and feel.
Want one of your own? Check out the project and its necessary code here.
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