GPS hardware and software combo.

[mirkazemisaman]

He everyone!

I finally decided to actually get a GPS for my Axim, however with so many choices out there I thought it might be better to get an input from your guys. Please give me some suggestions.

Please note that I need a CF GPS and I am not going to pay more than $250 for both the hardware and the software...

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Pat Logsdon]

I have a Haicom HI303MMF CF GPS (http://www.semsons.com/haicmulgpsre.html) (it folds, and you can use it as a "mouse" GPS using a serial cable, leaving your CF slot free for something else - like a WiFi card). It costs $185 at semsons.com.

For software, I use Routis (http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DE&Product_Code=RSSA&Category_Code=GS), from Deluo. It's $99, has excellent voice navigation, fast rerouting, and I've been very pleased with it.

I know, this adds up to $284, over your limit. But you can lessen the bite on your wallet if you join GPSPassion.com (http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/articles.asp?id=37&page=3). For $15, you'll get to take $10 off the price of Routis, and 10% off the price of the CF card, giving you a final price of $270 plus shipping.

Deluo also has good prices on GPS bundles - this (http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DE&Product_Code=CFNS&Category_Code=NAVS) is a good one.

Good luck! 8)

[mirkazemisaman]

Deluo also has good prices on GPS bundles - this (http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DE&Product_Code=CFNS&Category_Code=NAVS) is a good one.
Good luck! 8)

WOW, that does look like a great deal. Does anyone here use it? I would like to know how it performs compared to the popular cards like the Holux CF GPS cards. Is there a noticeable difference? BTW, I live in a relatively open area, so I am not really worried about reception.

Thanx again for your help.

[Pat Logsdon]

I would like to know how it performs compared to the popular cards like the Holux CF GPS cards. Is there a noticeable difference? BTW, I live in a relatively open area, so I am not really worried about reception.
The Deluo GPS in that bundle is made by Fortuna (http://www.fortuna.com.tw/GPS-CF.htm), and it uses the exact same chipset (SIRF IIe/LP) as the Holux GM270 (http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DE&Product_Code=GPSCF&Category_Code=GR), so the performance is the same. :D

[mirkazemisaman]

Thanx again for the reply. I will order that package as soon as I get home. Another question though, what exactly is WAAS (I just know that it somehow makes GPS more accurate) and how do I know what "territories" are "WAAS enabled"?

[Pat Logsdon]

WAAS stands for Wide Area Augmentation Spectrum. The European counterpart is called EGNOS (not sure what that stands for). My understanding is that it's a normal GPS signal that has been received by ground-based stations, corrected for additional accuracy, clock drift, etc., and reradiated from the ground station. The concensus seems to be that WAAS signals are accurate to less than 3 meters, whereas normal GPS is somewhere around 7 to 15 meters.

It's not really very good for in-car navigation, since acquiring the signal takes significantly longer than a normal GPS signal. Plus, since it's ground-based, coverage is somewhat spotty.

Prarie Geomatics has an excellent article (http://www.prairie.mb.ca/waas.htm) on WAAS that goes into a bit more detail.

Here's a map (http://www.nstb.tc.faa.gov/vpl.html) of WAAS coverage, if you're interested.

[mirkazemisaman]

Thank you Surgical Snack for following up with my post. It was of great help!!!

[Pat Logsdon]

Sure thing! Enjoy your GPS!

If you want to try something fun with it, try geocaching (http://www.geocaching.com/faq.asp). 8)

[Brewser]

How big of a map can you use with the Routis software? Could a person go coast to coast or are you limited by downloading certain cities into the PPC before you go out? Thanks for the help.

[GoldKey]

I field tested the TomTom product and it is great, but I have not used any of the other PDA GPS's other than an old one for Palm, so I can't really compare for you.

And I agree with Snack, Geocaching is a blast.

[klinux]

I use a 1st generation Pharos CF GPS unit with both the Pharos GPS software and the Routis software. Both will get the job done but the Routis software has quite more features. To be fair, the Pharos software I am using is a few years old.

[sambeckett]

I had hardware issues with my Haicom HI303MMF CF GPS and Simons was unresponsive with my concerns. I will not deal with them again.

[LaLongeCarabine]

Can I connect my Garmin to my Ax?

Seems like match made in Heaven.

[Pat Logsdon]

Can I connect my Garmin to my Ax?

Seems like match made in Heaven.
Try this (http://www.pocketmapstore.com/gaincaeforde.html).