Is there a "Do It All" GPS out there??????

Mavisto · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 20, 2007 Posts: 3

Bit of a tough question for all you GPS experts, but is there a GPS that I can use for a whole host of different uses??

For example. I drive a car and ride a motorbike so I would like something that I could use with both. I'm not too bothered about mounting it on the bike as I would probably stick it in my tank bag like I do with maps.

Bluetooth might be nice as I wouldn't have to have wires trailing from the GPS to the bike helmet, but again it's not essential.

Here's where it gets complicated though as I also cycle as well as ride a motorbike. Having something that I could use while mountain biking would be great. And having something that I could use while out walking would be even better.

So is there something out there that will satisfy all my needs? A few years ago, it seemed that the best option was to go down the PDA with GPS route. These could be used as a SAT NAV in the car or as a hand held. Some even came with cycle mounts. But these seem to have been replaced with mostly "car" specific units.

Do I need a basic GPS or is there a Sat Nav system that does all I want? Or should I just stick with those folding paper things that have served me well all these years?

Please help!

mikealder · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:25 pm Post subject:

Have a look at the road angel 7000 it supports road and off road (OS Maps) as it is water proof. Or look at a PDA based solution with a water proof box (Otter box) - Mike

Mavisto · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 20, 2007 Posts: 3

mikealder · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 4:27 pm Post subject:

I would still consider the Otter box for the waterproof and protection from dropping etc. It also has a handle bar mount available for the mountain bike.

The P550 is OK but one other (possibly cheaper option) is to get a PDA based mobile phone on contract either the T-Mobile MDA Compact - III or O2 XDA Orbit, both have built in GPS and fit in the Otter box, if you have a mobile phone on contract, they are well worth consideration.

Battery life can be extended for longer durations through the use of an external power pack, such as one of These (as long as you can get the correct cable for the PDA, get one that uses mini USB as this is almost a standard fit these days - Mike

Mavisto · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 20, 2007 Posts: 3

Hi Mike,

I did think about a GPS enabled phone, but the size might be a bit of a problem. I hope I won't have to work one on the go, but having to take bike gloves off all the time might make me not want to use it.

I will go and have a look at them to see just how big they actually are, but as with so many things these days, the idea is just to make things smaller and smaller.

Thanks for the link to the external battery, that would solve a whole host of problems.

Cheers,

Dave

	PocketGPS
	Web