Holux 270 of Rikaline 6020

[databoy]

Hi,



I have a Dell Axim and I would like to start using gps. T would mostly use it in the car but also from time to time outside the vehicle, so I guess a CF card would be the best solution for me.



Now, I have been reading and comparing a lot and I was going in the direction of the Holux 270. Would this be a good decision?



Recently I came across the Rikaline 6020+Active Antenna for about the same price. Would this be better.



Any suggestions...?!!

[DavidW]

For your application, a CompactFlash GPS makes lots of sense - presumably you're thinking of putting the maps on an SD card.





I've never heard of the Rikaline - but when I investigated it, it's clearly inferior to the Holux. The Rikaline is only an 8 channel unit that doesn't support SBAS. I have no idea about the GPS chipset it uses.



The GM-270 is a highly respected unit - it's a SiRFstar IIe/LP based unit (12 channels with SBAS support), and it was the original CF GPS using that well liked chipset. About the only known problem is that it doesn't always behave well in a Memplug expansion pack on an iPAQ.





I was going to buy a GM-270 - but eventually opted for a Haicom HI-303MMF. The Haicom uses the same chipset as the Holux, has the advantage that you can adjust the angle of the antenna to sky to be horizontal, and you can also use it with a cable in 'mouse' mode (albeit with no serial input in mouse mode, so you can't reconfigure the GPS in that mode).



I could also get the Haicom cheaper (from www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk) than I could get the Holux!





Obviously you can import from the UK without paying anything other than UK VAT - though I guess you'll choose in preference to buy from a supplier in the Euro zone.





If you decide to go for the Holux, be aware that the GM-270 comes in two versions. The standard version is the GM-270; there's also a GM-270U (sometimes described as the GM-270 Ultra) runs SiRF's Xtrac firmware. That has the advantage of greater sensitivity, though at the cost of some 'lag', particularly in the direction and speed information. As a result, many people who've tried both think that standard SiRF firmware is better for street navigation and that Xtrac is best kept for specialist applications that really need it.





The final thing is that you may get the best price, if you're after street navigation, to shop around for a bundle with the GPS receiver and the software. You may find one offered at cheaper than you'd pay for the two items separately.





Does that help any?







David

[databoy]

Yes that helps a lot

thanx for the quick and elaborate reply

i'm not a gps specialist, just a beginner who has read a lot on forums and sites and has decided to start playing around with it

i would opt for the most inexpensive solution as this is my introduction to the world of navigation

i will take your word and knowledge on it that the holux will be the best choice for me, especially compared to the rikaline



thanx a lot

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