Pocket PC and GPS : What to Buy?

[galathea00]

Hi! Pocket PC total newbie here. How newbie? I basically haven't owned
or used a pocket pc (not that extensively) >.< in my entire life.

I need to get immediate, compiled and accurate information ASAP about
*points at the thread subject* pocket pc and GPS. I need information,
more about the hardware side.

I was wondering if anyone can suggest a good pocket pc brand/model
that will go along just fine with a GPS card/device (and what specific
GPS). We are thinking of acquiring one, you see, for development.
(Yeah right *sarcastic*, a newbie gonna develop...well *sweatdrop*..got
to start somewhere* :D )

I know most of you here are experts, so I guess, this is the right site to ask about it directly.

Plus, could someone give me, sort of a brief explanation of what are
SD slots (what it stands for) or CF Compact Flash; differences perhaps?
I would normally browse sites or get manuals but I don't have time at
present (but the need is immediate) ... i would appreciate any prompt
response.

Sorry if I am being a total dummy about this. :oops:

Thanks in Advance. :)

[hollis_f]

PocketGPS (http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/) is the site you need to check out. There is no one definite answer to your question -

There are maybe a dozen suitable pocket PCs and an equal number of suitable GPS devices and the same number of suitable software packages. That's about 1700 different possible combinations.

SD (Secure Digital) and CF (Compact Flash) are two interface standards. Both are mainly used for memory. CF is also widely used to add peripherals (including GPS devices). SD peripherals are appearing, but you must make sure that you PPC can handle SDIO.

Personally, my ideal setup is a bluetooth enabled iPAQ with a BT GPS device and a CF memory card (to store the maps - which can take a few hundred MB).

[Scott R]

If cost is at all an issue for you, I recommend that you run, not walk, as quickly as you can to your local Radio Shack and see if they have a 20-1601 DigiTraveler in stock. It's a GPS unit that takes batteries (but can be DC powered optionally as well). It comes with a few cables for some common PDAs and other cables can be special ordered. Right now you can get this for $30 at Radio Shack, which is an incredible deal. It's a "mouse" style GPS, which means that there's a cable that connects it to the PDA. If cost is not an issue, you may be more interested in a Bluetooth GPS. If you want to hike with it, you may want a Compact Flash GPS (though you can hike with the other two options I mentioned as well, though it's a bit more of a kludge with the Radio Shack option as you'll have a cable hanging about).

The Radio Shack option comes with Delorme software but do yourself a favor and don't bother installing it. It will frustrate the life out of you. I tried and nearly got frustrated with the whole thing. Then I downloaded a trial version of Mapopolis and was loving life yesterday while I drove around and had the Mapopolis software running on my ancient iPaq 3630 speaking turn-by-turn directions to me. Buying 3rd party GPS software will set you back between $70-110. If you mainly want GPS for the car, you really can't beat this $30 DigiTraveler clearance deal, though.

Scott

[SandersP]

PPC GPS information here.

Any model with CF slot should be fine.
Try HI 303MMF, It comes highly recommended.

http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/default.asp?_SetCurrentVersion=EN

PS. skip the digitraveler suggestion above. It's old receiver, spend extra few bucks and get a more reliable new GPS receiver. You'll save a lot of pain.

[Scott R]

Any model with CF slot should be fine.
Try HI 303MMF, It comes highly recommended.
...
PS. skip the digitraveler suggestion above. It's old receiver, spend extra few bucks and get a more reliable new GPS receiver. You'll save a lot of pain.A few extra bucks? The HI-330MMF you suggest costs $170 (with no GPS software included), compared to $30 for the DigiTraveler. And what's unreliable about the DigiTraveler?

No doubt about it, there are better options than the DigiTraveler, but you'll pay more. A lot more. As I said in my original post, if money isn't an issue, there are a lot of options. But if you're looking to spend as little as possible, the DigiTraveler is a great deal while you can still get it.

Scott

[galathea00]

Guys, thank you very much. I would look into all your suggestions.

:D