Any recommendations for GPS software and hardware???

[AndyD]

asking for a friend :)

[Jereboam]

I can thoroughly recommend Tom Tom Navigator 2 - although I have heard it is better for Europe than for the US....can't remember specifically why, but the 3D view is great for navigation. There are many addons, free and commercial, to enhance TT2, which you can read all about on www.pocketgps.co.uk - the single best GPS site out there. Send your friend there and he should be able to make an informed choice, there are reviews of all the main setups and a decent comparison review also. The forums there are also great, very helpful people. I don't want to send people away from these forums, but I think this is a very specific area, so is justifiable. :)

Otherwise, I have a friend who loves the Navman software.

J

[adsbar]

Been pretty happy with Destinator 2.0

Both Europe and US maps are good, very good routing choices.

Customer service is somewhat slow, but they did upgrade my 1.0 maps to 2.0 for free.

[Sven Johannsen]

If you have a BT capable PPC, the BT GPSs are very convenient (though expensive). I do like my Socket BT GPS a lot.

Mapopolis is a very good package for the states. Can't say about the European version, though a new Eoropean one should be coming out this fall.

[AndyD]

Thanks guys. I'll check into the ones recommended. Sven, how much did your gps cost you? Just curious, since you did mention that bluetooth can be quite costly.

I'll probably recommend using Tom Tom since I've heard only good things about it.

One other question...

Do maps monopolize the space on a memory card? Should I recommend using a card solely for the use of map storage?

[Pat Logsdon]

Personally, I'd recommend Routis/iGuidance for software. It's only $99, and works very well - fast re-routing, logical routes, excellent UI.
I've heard that TomTom has some outdated maps (http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3438), and can create some odd routes (http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2527&whichpage=1).

There's an excellent review of TomTom here (http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/articles.asp?id=64), and one for Routis here (http://www.aximsite.com/reviews/index.php?qid=89).

There are several hardware & software packages out there that are very affordable: Deluo (http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DE&Product_Code=CFNS&Category_Code=NAVS) has one, and Semsons.com (http://www.semsons.com/haicmmfgpswi.html) has another (the folding GPS is cool).

You can also get a bluetooth GPS + software package (http://www.semsons.com/globbtgpswig.html) for $299 at Semsons. I have the Haicomm folding CF GPS and Routis, but if I bought today, I'd get this package. 8)

You may also want to check out GPSPassion.com (http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/Default.asp) - you'll find lots of information about all of the available options there.

[Pat Logsdon]

Do maps monopolize the space on a memory card? Should I recommend using a card solely for the use of map storage?
Yes. :D Maps can take up quite a bit of space (from 30 to 250mb, depending on map size/details).

I'd recommend the purchase of a 256mb SD card - they're not that expensive, and it'll be able to accommodate any map size that's needed, whether it's for local or long-distance use.

[beckp]

I just went through this process for mt Toshiba e740. I really wanted TomTom USA but the reviews are so-so and it's expensive. I went with Routis, good reviews, comes with PPC and PC version, and it's a good price. So far it looks pretty good but I haven't done a road test yet. A lot of good info over at www.gpspassion.com as well.

[bazza]

Can highly recommend CoPilot Live/PPC 4.0.

Chose between Copilot and Destinator based on Pocket PC Magazine reviews.

http://www.pocketpcmag.com/jul03/

Have not looked back. Maps are current and have had no hitches with either the Hardware or software. I use the jacket - however, there is a bluetooth version.

Suprisingly, once you use it it comes to be extremely handy!! I was a bit skeptical about the outlay but it is worth every cent.

Good luck. :D

[racerx]

I have used Destinator and Copilot. I now useCoPilot Live 4 PPC And the CoPilot Bluetooth GPS receiver and can recommend it highly. Both work very well. CoPilot gets better & be Her with each version and the Bluetooth receiver acquires signal very well.

[AndyD]

kk I'll tell him to give copilot a shot :) What are the prices? Do you have to pay for additional maps?

[bollar]

Based on the discussion here and on GPSPassion.com, I have decided to go with the Socket BT GPS and the MyNavigator software. Hopefully Socket updates it as frequently as the Routis people (it's the same product, as I understand it).

[Qman]

For anybody hows interested Radio Shack has a clearance sale on the DigiTraveler for the PDA for $39.97 (part # 20-1601).

This model comes with 3 cables that allow it to works with:
3600, 3700, 3800 and the 3900 series iPAQs and the
m125, m130, m500, m505, 515 and the i705 Palms.

Thanks to a tip that was posted over in the XDA-Dev forum I was also able to get it to work on my T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition. 8)

[Jordan Rosenwald]

I'm really torn here, hoping you guys can help out. I've played with Mapopolis (without a GPS) and am very impressed. I've also seen Ostia used with a GPS and I was blown away (it was even able to give turn by turn directions inside a relatively new housing development).
Now I'm hearing a lot of people tout the CoPilot software.

While I hope to get a GPS at some point, my biggest need is to essentially have MapQuest in the palm of my hand (i.e. turn by turn directions). Has anyone used Ostia? If so, what do you think of it?
Also, why so gung-ho on CoPilot and Mapopolis? Particular good or bad experiences with any of them?

[Pat Logsdon]

From what I've heard, Ostia is to be avoided. I've heard that the maps are out of date, the software is old and outdated, and the routing is horrible. Mapopolis seems to be the one to beat, but the Intellinav (http://www.intellinav.com/) systems (Routis (http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DE&Product_Code=RSSA&Category_Code=NAVS), iGuidance (http://www.semsons.com/ignavsof.html), MyNavigator (http://www.socketcom.com/product/GP0805-406.asp)) are running neck and neck with Mapopolis. In my opinion, the Intellinav programs get the thumbs up due to the more user-friendly UI.

I don't mention CoPilot because it's in a much higher price range ($229 vs under $100 for the Intellinav systems) - I'd probably compare that to TomTom (http://www.tomtomusa.com/products/platform/products.php?ID=213&Language=4&PHPSESSID=9d48d4ad5d0aada96aa5c2c326020625&PHPSESSID=7b8f8dbc9703460aaea6c758294a0e0a) ($179).

I'd also stay away from the Pharos CF or mouse GPS hardware - it's also outdated, and the CF unit is so large that it blocks the headphone jack on some PPC's. There are many better hardware choices, including models from Holux (http://www.semsons.com/holuxgps.html), Fortuna (http://www.semsons.com/fordualmodpo.html), Globalsat (http://www.semsons.com/globcomflasg.html) and Haicomm (http://www.semsons.com/haicmulgpsre.html). All of these include the SiRF Star II/LP chipset, which is the currently considered to be the best, and uses the least amount of power.

I have Routis and use the Haicomm CF GPS unit. My wife does not have a GPS, and frequently uses Mapquest. I can honestly say that in most situations, Routis will give better routes that get me to the location faster than my wife. It also annoys her to no end, which is part of the fun. :twisted:

I'd check out gpspassion.com (http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/Default.asp) for info on what to buy if you're in the market - there's a lot of good stuff there. :)

[Jordan Rosenwald]

Surgical Snack, thank you so much. Just proof positive that we have a wonderful community here. Ask a question, get a clear concise and informed opinion. Thanks so much.

[Scott R]

For frugal buyers, I'd just like to point out that the Radio Shack DigiTraveler solution is a steal. I just got one for $30 (while they last). It's a "mouse" solution but is self-powered (uses 3 AAA batteries). Theoretically, you could take the whole contraption hiking, but you'd probably look pretty silly.

Obviously, it's not going to be as super-sensitive as some of the newer options, but hey, did I mention that it's $30?

If you go this route (no pun intended), do yourself a favor and don't even bother installing the Delorme XMap software that comes with it. I was ready to pull my hair out with it and then downloaded the trial version fo Mapopolis. It was a zillion times better. I would have liked to have tried PocketMap Navigator, but they don't have a downloadable trial.

Scott