Own Axim, want GPS

nibbles · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 28, 2003 Posts: 12

I have Dell Axim X5 upgraded to Windows Mobile 2003.

I want to buy a GPS receiver and software.

The best reviews point to the SysOnChip CF Plus receiver, but it has nebulous issues with the Axim and as Dell offers no support and SysOnChip are based in Korea this looks like a no-starter.

So

Is it to be the Haicom 303S or Holux 270u (both with Xtrac)?

Which software? Memory-mapping's Ordance Survey products look very nice - but are there others? I'm not to bothered about route-finding software at the moment...

Thanks for reading!

DavidW · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2003 9:26 pm Post subject:

There's many options. Xtrac is probably the best if your primary wish is to navigate yourself around on foot.

If you buy a Haicom HI-303 series GPS, make sure you get one with a second bar code - apparently it's somewhat transparent and stuck to the bottom of the antenna bit. It looks as if they're the only ones that work with the HI-401 Bluetooth slipper, and older production, which just has a bar code on the white label on the bottom of the CompactFlash part, does not. Whilst you might not want the slipper at the moment, it seems worthwhile giving yourself the option in the future. There may be no way to upgrade an older HI-303 series GPS to work in the slipper - though maybe you can buy one second hand at a cheaper price if you're not interested in future Bluetooth options.

Another thought, though, if you're interested in "pedestrian navigation" is to use a standalone GPS linked with a cable, or even a Bluetooth setup (if you can find a CompactFlash Bluetooth card with decent Pocket PC 2003 drivers; I'm afraid I don't follow this part of the market as my iPAQ has integrated Bluetooth). I'm not the expert on these setups; Mike is much more expert than I. The problem with CompactFlash GPS based setups is that they can be very hard to ruggedise - you can put them in an Aquapac to waterproof them, but that's not going to provide sufficient protection if you drop the setup part way up a hill or when geocaching. Usually CompactFlash setups won't fit in the full on ruggedisation products like Otter Armor.

It might help if you can define a little better precisely what you want your GPS setup to do. It sounds as if you're not much interested in in-car navigation, which is fair enough (though it has to be said that if you buy wisely, you can usually add this simply by buying software in the future - the problems come more with turning in-car systems into pedestrian mobile systems).

David

nibbles · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 28, 2003 Posts: 12

I'd like to use the GPS whilst walking (Lakes, Peaks etc) and also for geocaching (which will probably be the more common occurance).

It seems the CF based receiver market is quite immatutre, but I'm not really sure of the pro, cons and costs of the cable to standalone GPS receiver route.

As I understand it, we're talking about a simple GPS receiver like a garmin which can be used on its own, and also linked via cable to a PDA and used with memory mapping, tomtom etc.

These are both applications that appeal, and the ruggedness of the solution, its flexibility and its fitness for the uses i have described above are important factors.

nibbles · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 28, 2003 Posts: 12

I forgot to say that although I have looked at quite a few websites in the UK, I can't seem to find one that stocks all of the products being recommended or that I would like to compare. Which are the best?

nibbles · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 28, 2003 Posts: 12

Are you looking at £250+ for a handheld standalone device which supports Xtrac and NAAS (or equiv.)?

Does this mean that although inflexible, the CF receivers are a lot for the money?

Dave · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 7:56 am Post subject: Re: Requirements

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