IPAQ + which GPS for use in Australia + US

louiseb2705

I'm new to this forum and am hoping you can give some advice.

I have an IPAQ 3760 with a bluetooth expansion pack + CF slot and want to buy a GPS hardware product that suits. Given than the IPAQ only has 40MB free storage (at best), a CF option probably isn't a good idea. This leaves me with either a bluetooth or sleeve option. I want to use this GPS for both street use and hiking (off-terrain) use, so I'm thinking a sleeve might be best. Your thoughts??

Next problem is the software and maps. I can get lots of US maps easy enough, but will be returning to Australia later this year so want to be able to add Australian maps. So, is there some generic software I can add 3rd party maps to? I looked into Navman, who have an Australian distributor, but their Aussie maps cost around $US400 - more than the price of the unit! I'm wondering if voice-activated products like Ostia will allow you to import maps from other sources.

Any recommendations gratefully accepted!

lbendlin · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 7:33 pm Post subject:

I would recommend getting a BlueTooth GPS receiver.

As for the application - are you talking street navigation or outdoors? Alk CoPilot has street navigation maps for North America, Europe, and Australia.
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Lutz

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louiseb2705 · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 7:40 pm Post subject:

Hi Lutz - thanks for the reply.

Bluetooth you reckon - OK, I'll check that out. So if I'm outdoors I assume I could just carry the unit in a pocket or something?? Presumably it would work OK through a waterproof bag or box. And I could get some sort of mount to hold the PDA in the car.

As for the software, I want both street and outdoor and would like the instructional type. I looked into the ones that you can import maps into and plan routes yourself but that isn't really what I want.

A basic question - will the BT receiver be compatible with most/all software pacgakes?

lbendlin · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 8:14 pm Post subject:

yes, the BT receiver will work through pocket fabric etc - just make sure it sits in a place where the antenna faces the sky.

The BT receiver doesn't care what program it sends the data to. It's rather important to ask "Does this program support the COM port where the data comes in?" . Fortunately, most of the programs out there do support that wide range nowadays.

"instructional type" has a different meaning for street navigation and for outdoors. With street navigation you get "after 500 meters turn left into York Street" . With outdoors all you get "approaching waypoint". There is only one program that I am aware of that is doing both (Delorme StreetAtlas) but it's far from being useful. You will simply have to accept the fact that you will need two different specialised programs, one for the streets and one for outdoors. They can use the same BT GPS, just not at the same time.
_________________
Lutz

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mires · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 19, 2004 Posts: 13

Hi,

I don't think anything PDA related is good for hiking (I don't own GPS right now, but searching to buy one for similar use)

The problem for PDA & GPS use IMHO is battery life. how mutch of "air time" can you get from fully charged IPQ with BT radio on ? don't think it'll will last 2 days trip.

I'm currently considering magelan/garmin handheld GPS + IPQ 2210 (the only thing I don't like about this combo - no possibility to plug external anthena)

louiseb2705 · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 4:01 pm Post subject:

I have to admit, battery life is a concern for me too. Its the one thing that keeps niggling away in thr back of my mind about this set up. I just ordered one of those 4 x AAA battery charger things from PC-Mobile which would give me a few more hours so I'll see how that goes.

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