GPS on a PDA

G'day Gazza,

I've got an I-Mate too and have been playing around a bit lately. I've been testing a bluetooth (wireless) Leadtek GPS Receiver which communicates with the I-Mate and supplies location information. You then need some software to interpret that information.

First bit of advice, stay away from Bluetooth with the I-Mate. Had to install a bit of software called Bluetooth Tools to get it to work properly and now am having other problems with car kit. Get a serial device. Better still, if you are going to buy a receiver, look at a cheap GPS unit so that this will tell you where you are even if other things break down. You can get a Garmin E-Trex for around $300.

OziExplorer is the software of choice for displaying current locaiton on a map and also for planning routes etc. It's not free and neither are the maps. I don't think it's dear though for what it is. Their website is excellent and you can download trial software to have a look. (You can buy it in the shop here too!)

OziExplorer WON'T do what is called turn-by-turn navigation. For this you need a different and far more expensive program. The main difference is that the maps are not pictures as they are in OziExplorer and others, the maps are reference data and the software will give you the voice prompts like "Turn left in 200 metres". This only works on recognised roads (UBD). Will not help you in a desert or in the bush.

Hope this helps a bit with understanding the components. There are a lot of experts on the forum that use OziExplorer extensively and I'm sure they will fill in the blanks.

One question I will add to this thread for both your own and my benefit is:

What hand-held GPS should we be looking at given we only need basic (NMEA) communication via serial with a PC and possibly waypoint downloads?

Thanks for asking the question too, I'll watch the answers with interest.

Cheers,

Jason.

GazzaS

Sounds like you have been to Jonny Appleseed in St Kilda Road.

I went there and bought a Haicom mouse GPS for my (then) IPAQ. I have since changed to an O2-XDA I needed to buy a new Y cable approx. $20 - no worries.

I agree with previous comments that Bluetooth is a problem so steer clear. There is some merit in a GPS that has its own display but my Hiacom only cost $175 so it was a no brainer for me.

I also agree that OziExplorer is the best mapping software for a PDA for remote areas. One cool feature is when you get home if you have been on an unmarked track you can add it to the map permanently. To run OziExplorer on the PDA you must have the PC version as well because this is waht you use to setup your maps for the trip and convert files etc.. I think you have to be a little bit of a techo to get the most from it but if you like gizmos this is a very neat solution.

Gaz

Hi again,

Spoke to a store here in NSW and these are the basic options:

1. Serial mouse such as Haicom 204S or Garmin GPS18. These are cabled for Serial (RS232) or USB. $179 or $199. You'd then need an adapter to fit the I-Mate. Not sure of cost. If you need to mount the I-Mate, you'll need that for both solutions. All up, around $200 + a cable.

2. Best option of portable is the Garmin E-Trex Legend, which is $329 including data cable for a PC. You'd then also need a converter cable AND an in car charge for the unit. Plus an additional cradle or holder for the the E-Trex as well as your I-Mate. All up, around $400 plus a cable.

The standard $179 serial Garmin GPS18 would work perfectly with a PC as is and you could just stick it in the corner of the dash. But you're then using a PC instead of the I-Mate for the map. Connecting it to the I-Mate seems to be the problem, as for me I have a Car Kit which plugs in to the bottom of the I-Mate. So I won't be able to use this and the GPS at the same time.

So Gaz, more info for you but not a great deal of answers I don't think. I'm going to the store tomorrow to look at these things so will let you know then.

Cheers.

Gazza,
it sounds like a lot of trouble for a display that isn't much bigger than a basic GPS. The Magellan Map330 does all the things you mention in B&W, the Sportrak Color has a prettier display. With my 51 year old eyes (no comments about other causes of visual impairment please) I need a bigger screen while on the move. The cheapest 'big screen solution' is an old laptop with a mouse GPS (from the EO shop) running OziExplorer.
I reckon 'convergence' can be taken too far. Just because your phone has a colour display it doesn't mean it will make a good navigation system.