TTGO/CoPilot/Garmin/Compass Whatever!

topgazza

Still phaffing around. Nearly ordered Mitac 168 with COPv5. Then I read one of Daves comments about TTGO being great for those who don't need a PDA. Then I read about issues with TTGO routing and postcodes, THEN I read about GarMin and issues that it has, AND THEN I blank out...

prices

TTGO £444
Mitac + COPv5 + 128 SD £394
Navman PiN £373
Garmin iQue + 256 SD £599 (WOW!)

First time buyer of this stuff but colleague has Garmin SP111 another has Toshiba PDA + TT3 all giving good feedback. I still have no cluse although impressed by COpilots reviews. HELP!

lbendlin · Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 7:35 pm Post subject:

Is navigation all you want to do with this device? Or do you rather want to have a Pocket PC that can also do some navigation?
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Darren · Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 7:37 pm Post subject:

If you have no need now or in the future for PDA functions then the TomTom GO is the best solution.
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topgazza · Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 7:52 pm Post subject:

Although its unlikely that I will use a PDA, but you never know, I am tempted by Dave's review of Co Pilot V5. The fact that it would come with a PDA (mitac 168)would not influence my decision but the Mitac has the built in GPS which in a way is as self contained as the TTGO. I keep reading about soft resets and lock ups which, I guess, a dedicated GPS like Go would not suffer so badly from.

I would just use it mainly for navigation. I know you guys have your own views and preferences and all are valid. I guess I am flipping between which Nav software would suit my needs. Then I will take whatever hardware is the best for it.

Darren · Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:05 pm Post subject:

The main consideration that is often overlooked is that a PDA based solution requires a certain amount of 'attention'. If left alone and uncharged their memory is wiped when the batteries die requiring a re-install of the Nav Software and setting up etc. A dedicated solution does not suffer this and can be left in the drawer until you need it be that two days, two weeks or two months down the line.

Don't let this put you off, if you can be disciplined enough to keep it's batteries topped up then a PDA solution can be just as good and more versatile in many other respects

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topgazza · Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:01 pm Post subject:

I think you're right. If the Nav part of it is the main use and "you" use this every now and then I suspect charging could be a problem. Its a quandry 'cos I really like the Co Pilot 5 software, from what I've read of it, but the convienience of the GO for what I'll use it for is also appealing. I think the PDA might become a bit of a pain as I really don't use a PDA but I suspect I would keep it charged and you never know I might start to use it. My company gives me a nice poweful laptop and I have a paper diary. The old fashioned way.

Trouble is I have been taking the p**s out of my colleagues for using PDAs and the loss of face could be fatal if I got one (might just have to keep it in the car!). No, the software is still the main driver

topgazza · Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:03 pm Post subject:

...actually I think the Co Pilot software is on the SD card? Does this mean that the mem loss would not present a problem? In PDA world does loss of batt power wipe out ALL the software, OS etc etc?

HellFire · Regular Visitor Joined: Jul 25, 2004 Posts: 126

If you go down the PDA route then I would get a separate PDA and GPS receiver because I used to have a Mitac 168 (Navman PIN) and even though when it gets a sat fix it picks up a lot of them it can take like 15 minutes to get a lock when a separate receiver normally does it within 30 seconds and also its only 300 Mhz so really your better off getting a normally PDA

topgazza · Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:17 pm Post subject:

Ouch! One of the benefits is the leap in the car and go facility. I guess sometimes it will lock on quickly but I have read of your experience elsewhere and that would really annoy me if it took that long.

Recommended PDA setup, particularly the GPS part as I see there are a multitude of choices? Having said that I like my gadgets to be plug and play so the old swingometer is edging back to TTGO. Except the Co Pilot 5 software is damned attractive in its functionality and price. Two headed coin anyone?

kartracer · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 12:45 am Post subject:

lbendlin · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 2:20 am Post subject:

I have tested it, and it works... Nicely, I may add.
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topgazza · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 7:36 pm Post subject:

Now, see, this is why this is such a great Forum. No sign of anyone talking down to people just advice and opinion from a broad spectrum of folk. I know this is a fairly "new" technology in many respects but it seems a lot of the posters here have experience of all the products out there at one stage or another...and they share that knowledge. Its good stuff and I even find myself reading other threads that I am not strictly interested in, but the threads are. (Jeez, I must get out more!)

Thanks folks I believe I'm gonna go for the Mitac with COPilot 5 unless others feel that a PDA with seperate (bluetooth) GPS is the answer. I see mixed opinion of the Sat attach capabilities of the Mitac but the balance is towards the good side. Just a bit perturbed at the thought of a long lock on on start up. Looking for that final tick in the box.

mark1968 · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 9:41 pm Post subject:

One thing to bear in mind with the all in one solution is what type of car you are going to be using.

For example my Citroen has a heat reflective wind screen and this will effect the reception of your GPS.

My solution is with a bluetooth GPS sat it the boot and the PDA up on the dash!
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topgazza · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 10:34 pm Post subject:

Just when I thought it was safe to go back in the water!

Now, THATS, an interesting option. I have a VW TDi Sport but no heated windscreen but hiding the GPS in the boot and just having the Sat Nav in the car has its attractions for neatness. It would remove any lingering doubts over reception of the Mitac as long as the Bluetooth link is stable. Be more expensive but nice. Presumably a mounting kit is required and I note that people talk about "jackets"? Would I need one of those. I have a nice tweed one I'm not using at present! Or would just the mounting kit, GPS and PDA (which lots do as a bundle) be all I would need?

I feel myself being guided away from the light and dedicated Sat NAv and towards a PDA solution although if Co Pilot did a "Tom Tom Go" type solution then the dark side would beckon again

topgazza · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 10:38 pm Post subject:

..I also have 2 12v sockets in the boot, as per the one in the ashtray in the front....to plug the GPS in?

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