Advice on Bluetooth GPS and Nav software for O2 Atom XDA

Submitted: Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 11:23

ThreadID: 37190 Views:2605 Replies:3 FollowUps:8

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M3Frank

Hi.

I am new to this forum and also fairly new to GPS other than an OEM system I had in a previous car.

I just bought an O2 Atom XDA on Ebay primarily for use as a phone and PDA. I would like to try and use it for Navigating and am looking at the following :

HP Bluetooth GPS receiver BT-308
Destinator PN 05

I think this combo should work ok with the O2.

I realise this is not the ultimate setup for GPS , but as I say the PDA is primarily for work - phone and PDA. But I would like to do some basic Nav with black spot etc. locations.

Thanks in advance.
Frank.

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Reply By: TerraFirma - Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 12:34

Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 12:34

I use an O2 Mini with a Holux Gr236 GPS. The Holux GR236 uses the latest Surf 111 chip which means very fast signal fixes and accuracy from 20 channels. These are available on Ebay for around $110 landed. (Bought mine from Hong Kong). I use Tom Tom version 5 for navigating however I am still evaluating it and some others. If you want to do 4WD stuff I would prefer to see a software application more suited that would allow custom waypoints and flexibility to suit. The Holux GPS is absolutely brilliant, make sure it is the GR236.

www.pocketgpsworld.com/gr236.php

AnswerID: 191438

Follow Up By: M3Frank - Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 13:25

Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 13:25

Hi and thanks for that.

I am not looking to do 4WD stuff. I went to a local PDA dealer during my lunchtime and they recommened the CoPilot Live bundle ($499). Uses the HP GPS receiver and the CoPilot s/w. Also said that Destinator PN 5 did not support Windows Mobile 5 yet - only 2003. They are expecting an upgrade soon.

I am thinking it make be better to go for an entry level dedicated GPS since you can transfer it to another car without having to use the whole PDA/receiever setup.

Will look into the Holux though.

Thanks,
Frank.

FollowupID: 449198

Reply By: Tim@Stratford - Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 15:24

Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 15:24

Frank,

I'm in the same boat - see my last question re Bluetooth GPS & PDA -

I have looked at Destinator after positive feedback from this site - There is a patch up-grade so that Destinator will work on WM5.

For info.

Tim - Stratford.

AnswerID: 191462

Follow Up By: M3Frank - Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:02

Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:02

Hi Tim.

Thanks for that. I was told that you need Destinator 6 to work with the O2 Atom XDA.That is out in a couple of weeks.

That was destinator themselves. They are releasing a bundle with a bluetooth receiver.

Cheers,
Frank.

FollowupID: 449434

Reply By: AdrianLR (VIC) - Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 22:44

Monday, Aug 28, 2006 at 22:44

I use a HP rw6828 which is almost identical to the Atom with the iPAQ bluetooth GPS, TomTom 5.21 and ecw2gps to view .ecw maps. Works well. The GPS is a bit slow to lock after a cold start and struggled in the very heavy rain/cloud at 110km/h last week on the way to Rutherglen (first time we've had heavy rain in the 4 months I've had it!!)

I'm in Melbourne if you want to have a look. Organiser World have (had?) the GPS for $89.

Adrian

AnswerID: 191560

Follow Up By: M3Frank - Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:06

Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:06

Thanks Adrian,

I assume TomTom 5.21 is the mapping software. I am not sure what ecw maps are - I assume this is optional.

I was also looking at the Navman GPS 4420 bundle but I am not sure this works on the O2. Do you know ? If so, then I would assume it works on the iPaq.

Where exactly in Melbourne are you ? I live in Hampton and work in St Kilda Rd.

Cheers,
Frank.

FollowupID: 449435

Follow Up By: AdrianLR (VIC) - Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 14:06

Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 14:06

I work in the CBD so could go to Fed Square one lunchtime if getting a tram/walking up St Kilda Rd is convenient for you. Give me a call on 0 4 0 8 3 5 9 1 9 7.

Adrian

FollowupID: 449470

Follow Up By: M3Frank - Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 14:09

Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 14:09

Thanks Adrian.

I am looking at an iPaq bluetooth currently on eBay and the seller also has the TomTom software. Might go for it.

I'll let you know.

Cheers,
Frank.

FollowupID: 449471

Follow Up By: M3Frank - Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 17:38

Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 17:38

Hi Adrian.

i won the iPaq GPS on eBay. The seller was offering TomTom 5 on MiniSD for an extra $50. Paid a bit more than Organiser World for the receiver, but the bundle was a good deal.

Will post my results when I get it and try and set it up.

Cheers,
Frank.

FollowupID: 449503

Follow Up By: M3Frank - Friday, Sep 08, 2006 at 13:31

Friday, Sep 08, 2006 at 13:31

Hi Adrian.

I got the GPS and TomTom and managed to get it work. I also find it is a little slow to lock in after a cold start, but once it's up and running its quite good.

On the whole I am not that impressed with the O2 Atom. I wonder if I should have got the HP.

Regards,
Frank.

FollowupID: 451385

Follow Up By: AdrianLR (VIC) - Friday, Sep 08, 2006 at 21:18

Friday, Sep 08, 2006 at 21:18

Make sure the Atom has the latest firmware update. There have been a number and they've progressively ironed out the bugs. It's apparently good now. The HP is still on its original firmware. It suffers from freezing, a memory leak, various odd behaivour and I had to have the first unit replaced after it decided that the headphones were always inserted. The joys of being an early adopter! The HP service is much better than the agents for the Atom. If the version of TomTom is typical of the stuff doing the rounds on ebay then you probably had to hold your tongue juuust right to get it to work :)

Adrian

FollowupID: 451511