Hi All

I think it's time to get myself GPS. But I'm confused and angry at the wide range of GPS receivers, and was hoping someone will recommend one...

I have a BT enabled PDA with a type I/II CF slot. I think I'd prefer a standalone BT receiver over a CF one, because of the extra battery and maybe better reception if I site it right at the front of the dashboard?

The receiver I'm inclined to go for at the minute is the Fortuna BT Xtrack clip-on one for ~

Hi Jpreston,

I run a HP Ipaq 4150 (integrated wireless and bluetooth) and have a TomTom bluetooth gps reciever. I brought mine seperately to the TomTom Navigator software saving myself about

Its one of them technical areas where they haven't quite got things 100% working yet, but they are gettin a lot better all the time.

I went for an iPAQ Navigation system when they first come out a few years back, and the idea of them was great. There were just so many flaws when you put it in practice though. The GPS jacket for the PDA had a 2 inch antenna sticking out the top, then underneath the PDA, you need a power adaptor, then the power connector, then the cable has to go to your cigarette lighter. The full height of the thing was 8 inches - they you have to find somewhere safe to mount it in the car. The windscreen suction cup was no good because the device wouldnt fit with the gradient of the windscreen. When I eventually got it in place, I found the dodgy Citroen I had at the time had one of those windscreens with the layer of metallic stuff, blocking out the suns harmful rays....and GPS signals. VERY Frustrating!!

That was a while back though, and the new systems are much better designed. The dedicated ones (tomtom etc that don't integrate with the PDA will always be the most reliable for car navigation I reckon. Anything that is in more than one piece, from different manufacturers will always have some sort of reliability issue, especially when its with something like picking up a GPS signal.

The software system I used to use on the iPAQ was Co-Pilot. It seemed to do a really good job of what it did. I understand the latest version has some nicer features and all the points of interest, live traffic information feed, speed camera database etc.

I'm actually minutes away from ordering my next GPS system myself (Chrimbo pressie from the other half). I'm not using a PDA, but a Windows based smart phone this time. Its the Co-Pilot software again with a bluetooth receiver. I will point you to THIS PAGE for more on the system I'm looking at.

Also check this page at Expansys for some other systems that work with PDAs.

The good thing (for me) about the one I'm looking at is it can all go in your pocket and be used on foot - all powered by battery for about 5 hours.

I'm hoping we both end up with good systems that (more importantly) actually work. One piece of advice is keep doing what you've done and ask about the forums etc. The manufacturers and folk who sell these things are all evil liars!

Software wise I brought a second hand license of Nav3 for

Cheers all, I didn't know about TomTom messing up your drivers nor that the OS maps were available - they'll definitely be handy for walking/biking. I see that some receivers have a 'black box' logging feature, might be fun to use with OS maps (as opposed to A505A onto M1 Jct 11, north to M1 Jct 15... )

I have an Octy vRS, has anyone experienced reception problems caused by the windscreen?

My girlfriend has a Focus with Quickclear heated windscreen...handy for frosty mornings but I imagine kills the GPS stone dead

Cheers all' date=' I didn't know about TomTom messing up your drivers

[/quote']

Installing Navigator 3 doesnt mess them up...just renames them rendering all other gps software useless. easily corrected with a regedit tool for pocket pc. Also, would very much recommend installing GPSgate if you plan to use more than one gps app.

I have an Octy vRS' date=' has anyone experienced reception problems caused by the windscreen?

[/quote']

Colleague has one and he uses a TomTom Go and has had no issues regarding recieving signals

Never heard of any problems with the glass in Skoda's, or any VAG car for that matter. Be aware though if you intend swapping it between cars, almost all French cars have this metallic layer of anti-radiation stuff, particularly newer Citroens and Renaults.

There is no problems with my reviever from my kirrio setup in my furby, that was a bundle with a tungstem e pda all for 249.00 but looks like you don't need, the pda so i am going to stop driviling on mate. :-)

has anyone tried the usb2 gps receivers for a laptop?

keep looking at them on Ebay but not got one yet

My new Palm Tungsten T3 arrived today, so I went for a blast to check out TomTom... It's ace!!!

"You have reached your destination"

LOL

I know the usb recievers are a little cheaper, but using a laptop for gps seems (IMHO) totally impratical. Obviously PCs are the most powerful option compared to a handhelp gps unit or a pda but it has obvious limitations, including portability. If you want a gps unit just for a car then buy something like a TomTom GO although I would still recommend a PDA and either wired or BT receivers as they are much more flexible than a car specific unit. Even hand held units have a greater functionality in that they support on and off road use.

Laptops/PCs are best suited to planning, printing and programming detailed routes into a handheld GPS unit/PDA.

Thats my two pennies worth anyway.

I know the usb recievers are a little cheaper' date=' but using a laptop for gps seems (IMHO) totally impratical. Obviously PCs are the most powerful option compared to a handhelp gps unit or a pda but it has obvious limitations, including portability. If you want a gps unit just for a car then buy something like a TomTom GO although I would still recommend a PDA and either wired or BT receivers as they are much more flexible than a car specific unit. Even hand held units have a greater functionality in that they support on and off road use.

Laptops/PCs are best suited to planning, printing and programming detailed routes into a handheld GPS unit/PDA.

Thats my two pennies worth anyway.[/quote']

good point but I should have added ....already running a Garmin streetpilot 3 but would like to get laptop on gps for use with memory map/ordnance survey maps etc unless i can load memory map onto the garmin - which i doubt is possible

For the reflective windscreen problem, I've just got my TomTom Bluetooth receiver today, and the instructions recommend fixing to the back of the rearview mirror in the event of this. The reflective/heated windscreens tend to have a black area round there which isn't coated. In TomTom's case this fixing would be quite easy as the bottom of the module is magnetic and comes with a magnetic plate and strong adhesive to fix that somewhere. Might even put mine there when the Furby arrives, rather than have it sitting on the dash.

Steve

My new Palm Tungsten T3 arrived today, so I went for a blast to check out TomTom...

Have you got a car mount sorted for your T3 yet Josh? I've got an iPaq 1940 and that's the only thing I need to sort. I'd be interested to see what other people are using...

Steve

good point but I should have added ....already running a Garmin streetpilot 3 but would like to get laptop on gps for use with memory map/ordnance survey maps etc unless i can load memory map onto the garmin - which i doubt is possible

I know you can download routes to the eTrax units but i've never had the pleasure of using the Streetpilots. From what i understand though they are just preloaded with the UK raodmaps, so no i doubt you can download routes from memory-map to it. But then can't really image you carrying your laptop across a field....I'm sure a paper OS map would be easier to read

I know you can download routes to the eTrax units but i've never had the pleasure of using the Streetpilots. From what i understand though they are just preloaded with the UK raodmaps, so no i doubt you can download routes from memory-map to it. But then can't really image you carrying your laptop across a field....I'm sure a paper OS map would be easier to read

TBH i'm going off the garmin recently....when i replace it it wont be another garmin unit

maywell be found carrying laptop across a field though not sure about battery life though - like me its getting past it....perhaps a 10 mile extension lead?

I have a need to find an exact os map reference in a local forest and garmin dosn't use OS grid :(

I have a need to find an exact os map reference in a local forest and garmin dosn't use OS grid :(

Pretty sure my Garmin eTrex does. I think there's a setting in one of the menus which lets you switch between the different mapping standards, as I use it for GeoCaching which can use all sorts of different systems.

Chris

I have a need to find an exact os map reference in a local forest and garmin dosn't use OS grid :(

Paper map?

Or just install memory-map and the map you need and hover the cursor above where it is you need the reference and it will tell you.

If you want to describe where the forest is and where tin the forest you need the co-ordinates from i'll happily read them off for you. (As long as its not higher in the country than Sheffield as i havent got the north of UK maps at rpesent)

Pretty sure my Garmin eTrex does.

I dont think the garmin StreetPilot uses the same layout as the eTrax as it only has road info installed onto it (From what i understand)

For the reflective windscreen problem' date=' I've just got my TomTom Bluetooth receiver today, and the instructions recommend fixing to the back of the rearview mirror in the event of this. The reflective/heated windscreens tend to have a black area round there which isn't coated. In TomTom's case this fixing would be quite easy as the bottom of the module is magnetic and comes with a magnetic plate and strong adhesive to fix that somewhere. Might even put mine there when the Furby arrives, rather than have it sitting on the dash.

Steve[/quote']

If you change cars, they're a bu99er to get off, though! If you mail Tom Tom support they'll send you another, FOC. Oddly enough, they call it a "FiFi"

:confused: !

Do you have the in car charger? does it work?

Phil

Pretty sure my Garmin eTrex does. I think there's a setting in one of the menus which lets you switch between the different mapping standards' date=' as I use it for GeoCaching which can use all sorts of different systems.

Chris[/quote']

Geocaching...thats the activity to try in the new year

need something to force me to go out in the wind and rain but dont want to rush out and but a etrex just to try it

If you change cars' date=' they're a bu99er to get off, though! If you mail Tom Tom support they'll send you another, FOC. Oddly enough, they call it a "FiFi"

:confused: !

Do you have the in car charger? does it work?

Phil[/quote']

I've found never had too much trouble getting things like that off, just heat the adhesive up with a hairdryer Or I suppose you could stick the plate down with something less sticky, but if it was on the back of the rearview mirror I'd want to be sure it wasn't going anywhere! Thought it was quite a good idea, gets the receiver out of the way and looks tidier.

For the car charger, I'll be getting one eventually yes. What's the problem with it not working? Need to sort a decent car mount out for the PDA first though. Ideas anyone :confused:

Steve

Have you got a car mount sorted for your T3 yet Josh? I've got an iPaq 1940 and that's the only thing I need to sort. I'd be interested to see what other people are using...

Steve

Hi Steve

Here you go:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4668&item=5739707435&rd=1

This is from the same seller I bought mine from. VERY fast delivery and fast responses to email questions. I can recommend.

You get the cradle, charger, window mount, GPS mouse thingy... And it all works flawlessly.

The cradle rattles a little bit if you haven't got a palmtop in it and feels a little bit plasticy, but it can be removed (leaving the window mount and cables still intact) very easilly.

Basically, for 90 quid inc p&p, it's a bargain!

Oh, it ALSO has a powered/amplified speaker in the back of the cradle, so you can hear Jane tell you "You have reached your destination" clearly over your stereo! lol

Thanks Josh, but I've got everything I need apart from the cradle. And I've had problems with the Haicom stuff before as well. I used to use one of their USB GPS receivers with my laptop and it packed up :(

Steve