GPS Laptop Combination Question

[allen_p]

Hi. I am fairly unfamiliar with GPS technology but I am interested in getting involved. Basically what I want is the ability to generate address-to-address routes while I'm on the go, in my car. I have noticed that the only self-contained GPS units that seem to have this capability are far out of my price range (over $700, my price range is closer to $200). So, I'm looking for the poor man's method.



I have a laptop already. If someone could please review the following idea and let me know if it's feasible, I would be greatly appreciative. I would like to get a bottom-of-the-line handheld GPS unit (one of the $99 ones), buy the cable for it, and connect it to my laptop. What I need to know is if there is anything in this setup that I haven't thought of, or especially if the setup will work at all. I would like to run MS Streets and Trips on the laptop, and from what I have read, it should be able to receive data from a GPS unit, plot my location on a map, and generate driving directions based on my current location and the address I tell it I want to go to. Is all of this correct? Are there any hidden costs associated with a setup like this that I haven't thought of? I know that I will probably need to get a power converter for the laptop so it stays on for more than 45 minutes, but I have been planning to buy one of those anyway, regardless of the GPS.



Also... I have an iPaq h1910 Pocket PC, which I discovered after purchasing is just about completely devoid of the ability to work with any accessories. But just in case, has anyone heard of a successful method of turning this model into a GPS unit (similar to the Navman that is available for the higher-end iPaqs)?



Sorry if I'm being a pain already and it's only my first post, but I'd really like to get some advice from someone other than the 14-year-old punk who will no doubt sell me this equipment at [edit attack on company; just read that rule; rhymes with West Why]. Thanks in advance!

[Pc-Mobile]

Yes a handheld plus a cable is all you need and is what I would recommend.

Of course you also need software, if you do not have to buy it(MS S&T is free?) then it is perfect.



I would also suggest you go for a marginal better than the cheapest handheld. As these (e.g. eTrex Venture, Magellan SporTrak) include PC cables which just about cost the same as the cheapest model plus the cost of cable.



It is no for GPS with 1910.
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Pc-Mobile
http://pc-mobile.net/gps.htm

[stuart]

I still run my Dell laptop in a vehicle when in Europe. I use MapPoint (Europe) with a Leadtec (Ex Psion5Mx TomTom) GPS with adapted lead which works great. And with AGPS loaded I get vioce and auto re-route.All for free...Try it, it works.

[Dave]

Don't you find the laptop a little large in car ?

[MikeB]

I have used S&T and Autoroute on my PC in the car. I was connected using the cheapest eTrex. It worked fine as far as it went. No voice navigation, big bulky setup, required a passenger to provide directions etc.



That said S&T exported to PocketStreets pretty well, but was somewhat crippled by the size of maps it could export. Fine for city navigation, useless for touring. Again no voice navigation.



For a cheap and cheerful introduction to SatNav it is great, or for occasional use: fine. There are much better apps out there. You are however hampered by the fact that you have a PDA device which cannot be used as a GPS solution. If you had a 2210 then things would be so different.....
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Mike Barrett

[stuart]

Dave, Yes it is rather large. Thats why I now have my ipaq 3950 and CoPilot 4...Much better for traversing London. But I still have the laptop option for Europe and have AGPS ( http://www.techgt.com/agps/)loaded for re-routing etc.

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