GPS CF Vs BT

[icsys]

[andrems]

I'll consider buying the Haicom Hi-401BT since it combines both BT and CF.
And for what I've seen it's battery life is very good, also the price, and the sensibility is good also, I think.
In my case sensibility and battery life are the most important for in car use.


Thanks.

[topgazza]

Peoples experiences will vary for a variety of reasons. My Fortuna Clip on is small, sits in the boot of my Passat Estate plugged into the socket in the back and works everytime. I have never lost synch with my 2210 once and always get plenty of sats. It sits in my pocket as well like a box of matches (don't play with fire kids!) and ditto with synching issues. An external AAA battery pack is a good idea for extending battery life and for that added sense of confidence.

[flyhal]

I have had no problems with reception inside a car with the New Holux Ultra Xtrack. 7 to 10 sats setting on the console between the seats. You can lay the PDA at big angles and still receive enough sats to navigate. BT seems like a lot of extra complications. And more money too.

[Robin2]

I have been using an iPAQ2210 with TomTom and CoPilot, using a wired receiver, for 14 months, and have never lost synch or had a lock up so far. Simple precaution - I usually do a soft reset before embarking on a long journey. The only times I have had a problem was when I started moving before getting a fix - that slows the process a lot. But that is well known and my own fault for not being patient!
Robin

[Robin2]

Sorry, please ignore the above post - I didn't read the start of the thread carefully enough to spot that it was referring to BT!
Robin

[thebatterystall]

Hi Guys,

I'm a complete beginner to this GPS stuff, but have found a number of answers to my questions, just simply looking at previous posts.

I have just purchased a HP hx4700 PDA and I wish to purchase a CF GPS receiver rather than a BT device, and software i.e. Map of UK/GB.

(1) I gather, the CF GPS uses the PDA's power when inserted into the CF slot ? Silly question yes ?
(2) I have been looking at the Rikaline X6 GPS 6021, can anyone recommend something better or is this OK. I will be using it for both walking and travelling by car.
(3) Software - I don't understand about software maps, I thought there was only one program/mapping software called Tom Tom 3, are there different software companies who supply the same maps and functions ?
(4) I see it a good idea to get an SD card with at least 256mb's, is this so a load of maps can be put on it at one time, and so you don't have to keep swapping SD cards for Uk and Europe maps ?
(5) To setup Sat Nav, do I only need a PDA, CF GPS and the maps ?

Thanks in advance for all help received. 8)

[DavidW]

Whilst CompactFlash appears attractive, I'd encourage you to consider Bluetooth for your GPS. In part, it's because the 'blank' for the CompactFlash slot in the hx4700 is fiddly, which reduces the likelihood that you'll be consistent over fitting it when the GPS isn't in the slot. If you're not consistent and not careful, you'll damage the CompactFlash socket.


However, there's more important issues. If you use a CompactFlash GPS, you have to be able to get the Pocket PC mounted in car so that the antenna on the CompactFlash GPS has a good view of the sky - it's sometimes much easier to mount the Pocket PC in the easiest position with regard to viewing, and put the GPS wherever it has a good view of the sky.

Further, away from your car, the battery life of a Bluetooth GPS setup is better (the CompactFlash GPS is indeed powered from the PDA's battery, and draws more power than a Bluetooth connection), also it's easier to waterproof and/or ruggedise a Bluetooth GPS setup using the available products. You have to be a little careful how you handle a CompactFlash setup so as not to break off the protruding part of the GPS!

It's up to you, though - my older setup, still in use by other family members, uses a Haicom HI-303MMF CompactFlash GPS very successfully. Using a CompactFlash GPS saves you from having to provide a power source for a Bluetooth GPS in car, which is something I'd recommend if you do go for a Bluetooth GPS.


One final advantage of going Bluetooth is that you can buy the Fortuna Clip On, which is switchable between standard SiRF firmware and SiRF XTrac II. Until the SiRFstar III based GPS receivers become available (later this year, I'd think) which is likely to have something approaching the advantage of both and the disadvantages of neither, there's two ways to use the existing SiRFstar IIe/LP GPS chipset, both of which have different strengths and weaknesses.

XTrac works better with weaker signals - such as when you have a poor view of the sky in a city centre - but sometimes seems to have problems with accuracy and position "lag" (XTrac II is reportedly better than the original XTrac for in-car use, but some report it's poorer for walking). Standard SiRF firmware doesn't have the problems of XTrac, but requires better signal strength to work well.

CompactFlash receivers that use the SiRFstar IIe/LP chipset are usually either standard SiRF or XTrac - you don't get a choice except at the time of purchase. I have seen adverts for supposedly auto-switching products, though I've no idea how well they work. The Clip On has a little switch under the power switch that you select either XTrac or standard SiRF with.


Rikaline have a somewhat mixed reputation; many of their products seem fine, but there seem to be reliability issues with some of their products, especially if sourced from eBay (where any problems are compounded by it often being impossible to claim on any warranty).


There's lots of mapping and navigation software available! You don't say what usage you're planning on foot, but the software that's available falls into several groups.

Firstly, there's software for street navigation. This includes TomTom Navigator 3, as well as products like CoPilot, Navigon and Navman's Smart St. This software is really only any good for use on roads; it's able to provide routes to your destination. These days, voice directions have become standard.

The other group likely to be of interest is software for more general usage. This includes both software that provides handheld GPS alike functions, software that allows you to use self provided maps, and software that includes topographic maps such as those from Ordnance Survey.

There's also more specialised software available - such as software for marine and aviation use.


Memory cards - really, the bigger the better. 1GB SD cards are affordable now; that's what I've got in my hx4700. It doesn't take much to fill 1GB - in my case a couple of TomTom Navigator 3 maps, a couple of Sprite Backup files, some ebooks in various formats, some digital photographs and some MP3 audio files.

It's important to be a little picky about SD cards; there are some types available that work badly (I had one card on test that repeatedly crashed TomTom Navigator 3 on my hx4700 - I could make it foul up in a card reader on my PC, too). Both my systems are currently using Lexar 32x SD without any obvious problems, but the cards are still to recommend them completely wholeheartedly.


So far as what you need, the basic components of any system would be your Pocket PC, a GPS receiver, software, memory card, whatever you need to mount and power your system in car (I'm using the Brodit active mount for the hx4700 on the appropriate Brodit Proclip for my car) and whatever you feel appropriate for use away from the car (be it an Aquapac or something more heavy duty such as an Otter box).


Have a look through the reviews section of this site for more information.



David

[Artisan]

Hi,

I have a 2210 with a Rikaline X6 CF Card, I've found it to be ok for use when powered from the car but can confirm that the battery drains within 2-4 hours when walking. If I was starting over I think I would go for BT and use the CF slot for memory.

Art

[topgazza]

You will, of course, get a variety of suggestions.

I too use a BT and my CF slot for a big card. My Fortuna Clip on is no bigger than a small box of matches and fits right in my pocket/backpack/ lower intestine without any problems. If out for a long while withoput charging facility a spare battery is always a good idea and a more reliable/safer swap than doing the same for the PDA.

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