PDA & CompactFlash GPS

Just a side issue,

I've always liked to have a separate GPS, so that if the laptop or PDA stuffs up, I can always use just the GPS.

All the cable options are listed at www.gpsoz.com.au
www.gpsoz.com.au
Depends on your model of PDA.

Cheers
Phil

yes i know Electric Bug
Gerry French who works there is a friend of a friend of mine
Gerry was on a trip with us 2 years ago where we cruised down the murray river from Renmark to Morgan over 11 days 257 river Klm in our yatchs mine 21 foot a 20 fotter & a 24 foots without our masts what a great trip & by the way Gerry is a very knowlagble man
thanks for yr info though i didnt even think of electric bug

G'day AC,

don't know if you already know this but DEFINATELY get a good CF card. The speeds vary considerably and many of the cheaper cards are very slow and too slow for navigation. Invest in a decent one. The guys at GPSOZ will point you in the right direction.

Cheers,

Smocky.

I am no expert on CF card GPS but I use an iPaq 5450 and an eTrex. I believe most iPaqs use an SD slot and card for memory. Not possible to interface a CF GPS to such a slot. I wold use normal GPS with GPS to iPaq cable, but shop around online for cables they can be expensive.

Your best bet is to connect your GPS via cable and then get a large memory card to store your maps. I run a Garmin GPS76 through a cable to my O2 XDA II where I have OziExplorerCE installed. I also have a 1 Gig SD card with almost the entire east coast of Australia in Auslig maps loaded. A 64 Mb card will hold around 7-8 Auslig maps.

By using a GPS which interfaces via SDIO or compact flash, you limit yourself with memory options. Also think about bluetooth GPS as this is another option.

I would just spend a few bucks and make or buy a cable to interface with your GPS with you iPAQ.

Regards
David

Warren,

I would stick to separate GPS. I run a Garmin Etrex Vista with Ipaq 3870. Power cord for both GPS and PDA purchased from GPSOZ which Phil G mentioned. Also purchased a RAM suction mount from GPSOZ to attach PDA to windscreen. No vibration there as opposed to mounting on dash. Can easily be moved if I have a navigator on board. My PDA had a SD slot but I bought an expansion pack with a CF slot as well. I have a 1gig SD and 512K CF and pretty well get all the Raster maps and Hema desert plus many more running through Oziexplorer CE. If you have any problems then Goercke(yorke Pen) could probably help you out as he has his sorted out or I may be heading your way in the next month or so.

I run a bluetooth GPS into a Dell x50v PDA (vga screen).
Works very well (using the standard bluetooth support provided by 2003SE).
The bluetooth receiver cost $200 - not much more than a compact flash GPS card.
The receiver I purchased even works when inside the vehicle between the front seats - much better than I expected.
Battery life on my receiver is about 16 hours - plenty of time for a full days driving, and recharge from the 12v overnight.
The PDA doesn't last as long and needs a recharge during the day - its normally plugged in while driving anyway.

With a PDA you get the best of both worlds - software like Destinator that can guide you using maps and audio directions, plus the ability to use scanned or purchased maps under Oziexplorer.

I also sometimes carry around an old laptop (bigger screen) - but it's to large to use while driving.
The best part is you can spend about $25 and get a bluetooth USB plug - and use the same GPS receiver and maps - laptop screen is much better for doing any route planning.

Sav.

Hi Aussichef,

We sell many GPS units and all the associated equipment, software and features you need. Have you thought about using a PDA cradle with a built in GPS receiver? This particular one is reasonably new out. Your model of Ipaq isn't listed, but I am about to get a full list of the compatable models from Holux so if you are interested I can check the full list.

If there is something you are after that is not shown we have access to over 400 units & accessories so just drop me an email (Juliana@ExplorOz.com) or give me a call on 08 9403 3737. I am continually adding new products and accessories, so just because I am not showing it, doesn't mean I am not selling it.

Happy deciding,
Regards,
Juliana.