Best Bluetooth GPS for iPAQ

drgrafix · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 30, 2006 Posts: 7

I'm considering replacing my current iPaq 3970/Navman 3450/Mapopolis setup with a slightly newer iPaq 5550/5555 (probably used). I have some accessories that are common to the 3970/5XXX series, so that's one reason why. My current setup has been great, but it would be nice if I didn't have to mount the iPaq into the sleeve, so a BT puck style approach is what I'm thinking about.

I'd like to have a wireless connection, hopefully a BT receiver that has a rechargeable battery setup that will also run powered by the lighter plug. It'd be nice if the battery was user-replaceable, and also if it had the means to jack into my ThinkPad via USB should I want to use that.

I've actually thought about a Pharos PPC or a Asus MyPal 636, but I don't know much about how well they actually work on the road, and whether you can substitute software like Mapopolis on their systems? If anyone here is using either and would care to comment, that would be great.

Otherwise, I'd just like to hear about the BT GPS (puck) types, and whether I should get a SIRF3 or 12 sat, 16 sat, 20 sat, or even a 32 sat or is all that a joke? I also occassionally read that someone claims their BT GPS works from under the sun visor (hidden) or in the glove box without LOS to the sky. Is this (really) possible?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Doc

lbendlin · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:37 am Post subject:

The GlobalSat BT338 is still your best choice - it has an iPAQ power connector.

The 12,16,20,32 numbers are channels, not satellites.

Yes, SiRF III receivers can work without direct LOS.
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Lutz

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astrocompass · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:46 am Post subject:

Hi Doc

Just to confirm what Lutz has said - my BT338 works from the tray between the seats and from the glovebox. Battery lasts for ages on one charge. I'm less interested in the number of channels and number of satellite fixes than the speed of first fix, which is seconds, and it hasn't so far dropped out en route. One to consider.
_________________
Garmin 2360LT
iPaq 2210 TTN5.2

drgrafix · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 30, 2006 Posts: 7

Now that's what I call good feedback. Sounds like the BT338 should be one of the SIRF3 units I should look at. You guys are giving it very high marks. But are all these SIRF3 units pretty much using the same chipset and maybe they are private-labeled under a bunch of different brands?

I also have to admit that I'm looking at the Dell Axim X50 series... seems like a nice unit and the prices are pretty realistic now that Dell has dropped it to $324 USD. That would almost mandate the BT puck style setup, although there are CF and SD GPS cards, plus someone told me about a GPS card that also has 512 memory combined to actually store maps/programs/etc.

I like the idea of the GPS in the glovebox. My Camry has a center console with a 12v outlet inside it, and that would probably work similar to the glovebox. There's one guy I saw online advertising TomTom 5 (?) and the BT338 as a bundle. I think it was in the UK, about $195 USD shipped fedex. The bare unit... what should I pay for that... roughly, and are there any reliable outlets that will take paypal?

Doc

Mike29 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 02, 2006 Posts: 4

Sorry to deviate but I am having trouble getting my iPaq 3970 and Navman 3450 sleeve to communicate. Did you have to do anything special in order to get your system up and running?

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