PDA/GPS question (getting almost as bad as fridges! :)

Sounds good. Have a look at a HX4700 Ipaq. Big screen and very easy to read (for a PDA). I don't think you can get a PDA to run off a USB GPS mouse. If you get hx4700 you can either get a CF or SD GPS receiver (the Ipaq has both sd and cf card slots so you can use one for a GPS receiver and the other for memory cards). The other option is to just get a bluetooth GPS receiver.

Mike get a bluetooth GPS and leave the GPS mouse for the laptop mate. A HX4700 is good but has a few problems, the 2210 would be a good option in my books (I have a HX4700). The PDA is a great solution, just a word of advice get a good mount for it, like a RAM mount, dont fart around with the cheapies.

The USB GPS mouse might not work with any PDA's.
You could look at buying a hp rx5765, it has a BT GPS, you can run Tom Tom and OziCe These start at $500
Otherwise get a 12V CarPc and run a 7 or 8" screen

Mike, a sensible option and one that I have just explored and done.

I have just set up a Ipaq rz1710 with tom tom and ozi CE. I am using a Haicom SIRF 3 GPS mouse with a 'y' cable that provides power to PDA, power to GPS and links the PDA to the GPS. As far as the USB compatibility, if you search the HP website for your models specs, it should tell you the formats that it will support (i.e. serial, USB, PS2, etc) this will then guide you were you need to go from here regarding cables etc. You may need a USB to serial adapter if your PDA does not support USB.

Also, check out this site

www.gpsaustralia.net/

Join the forum, as there is substantial info and downloads available. Also if you have any queries post a message to 'Nicko' or contact him through the online shop function (top left menu in red) He is very helpful and can more than likely organise the appropriate cables etc for you. You can either order direct through him or get Jackie to order it as he is the shops supplier.

Its a good, cheap and reliable way of setting up a gps system. So far mine has cost me a smidge over $200 which included a ebay PDA, new GPS and cable, spare stylus, screen protector and a window mount (slight modification required to make sturdy) If you look hard enough you can find all the programs that you need on the world wide web.

Good luck, I hope it all goes well

Hi Mike.
I use an Ipaq (bought on Ebay) with Oziexplorer CE & it is great. I found that it was cheaper for me to buy a Haicom 4 in 1 PDA holder than buy all the cables etc to connect the GPS to the PDA, Power to the PDA and a dedicated car mount. The Haicom came with a compact flash connection & a compact flash sirf3 GPS.

I do most of my trip work using Oziexplorer on the PC and simply transfer the files across to the PDA

The only issue with it was that I didn't like the windscreen suction arm but found a better designed Garmin one for $50.00 that was a perfect fit.

Issues with my type of PDA - Ipaq 5550 is that the contents of the SD card can be wiped if the card is left in the machine & the battery runs flat. It says to avoid this in the book.

It may be out of your price range but the Asus Mypal A636 provides everything except Ozie CE in one package - including co-pilot soft ware.
Cheers, Tony.

Mike I believe the 2210 is virtually the same as my 2215, if it is then you have the advantage of duel memory slots, it has SD and CF. The main advantage is you can go either way and use either a Bluetooth GPS or a CF GPS.

I run Ozi CE and also TomTom software.

I use a bluetooth but have just ordered one of the CF ones.

Do yourself a favour Mike and steer clear of HP stuff...Wait till it hits the skids and you want it to be repaired,They will not replace it even after 4 returns !

Assholes ....

Hello Mike - as I alluded to before may I suggest you look at geting a PDA with and inbuilt GPS. There are few on the market now. I have a Mio Digiwalker P550 that works fine with OziCE. It has an SD card slot which I use for story data and maps. It came with a very good window sucton mount and car power cable. There is a cheaper model (P350) that is identical except no wifi or bluetooth (I think). Ipaq have a few models available as well. The advantage of inbuilt GPS is obvious ie no additional wires or gadgets plug in or worry about/break and it fits in your pocket.

Cheers
Greg

Hi Mike & others

have a hp 2200 with a bluetooth gps off ebay - put 4 gig sd card in for maps - if you buy a card on ebay watch out for dummy cards on ebay most of what comes out of china are copies - if you go the bluetooth gps way I suggest you get one with an extension antenna - it dramatically improves reception in the urban canyons IMO - most come with a 2 metre cable suggest you will need one with a 5 metre cable to get outside though the firewall. Using tom tom around town at present & works ok. Will explore ozi ce in due course.

Use ozi on a laptop out of town in my truck and very happy with the combination - used to use an etrex to drive ozi but blutooth with ext antenna a vast improvement in signal - used to get multiple dropouts & many straight line track plots previously.

Have to admit I have been waiting for the laptop to fail - there is a fair bit of bang and crash in a forward control isuzu truck - wheels right under cab - sony seems to be keeping on keeping on though - fingers crossed.

I must be getting old or maybe my arms are getting shorter but I do like the size of the image on the laptop particularly on toppos. Maybe you will be a bit shocked at the reduced size of the image on the pda.

Hope this helps

smort

Hi MIke

None of the PDA's yet have screen brightness of more than about 400 nits and
still major reason why I don't use for constant viewing , so this means its essential to be able to position any such device for optimum viewing which usually means below the dash level, this in turns drives need for gps receiver to be remote from PDA/navigator, hence USB GPS or other means to get signal can assist in making best out of whats available.

Robin Miller

Mike,

My thoughts for what they are worth. I have used an iPaq 2210 for the last three years running OziExplorer with a CF GPS. I have recently upgraded to a rx5765 with TomTom and have swapped OziExplorer across.

The 2210 setup has worked beautifully and I have had no issues with the CF GPS, it came with an external antenna which plugs into the side of the GPS and sits very neatly on the roof (magnetic base and about the size of a matchbox). I have not had experience with a Bluetooth GPS, but I don't understand why some would say it reduces the number of cables, surely it has to be powered and presumably need an external antenna? The CF GPS just slots into the top of the unit and _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx its power from the PDA. Haven't had mine snap off either (and in a Toyota). Either GPS seems like a good option though.

Screen brightness can be an issue as Robin pointed out, but I would disagree that this applies to all PDAs. The new 5765 is brilliant and can easily be read in full sun. The 2210 does suffer in direct light though.

For what you want, your plan sounds like a good way to go (once you resolve the GPS issue). I don't know what second hand 2210s are worth, but imagine that it is a relatively cheap way to go, particularly if you can pick one up with all the extras (screen mount, GPS, etc).

Cheers,

Matt.

Mike

I have an Ipaq 5765 and I am very happy with it. It does power off the usb port. I would say that most PDAs would do this and as there is only one USB port you would have a power issue.

Suggest you find one that has more than one usb port or does not power off the usb port.

Tjilpi

Hi Mike
Just some info on my PDA setup.
HP iPAQ 2110 (off eBay about $200)- Holux CF GPS Receiver (eBay less than $50)- 1gb SD Card (about $30) Cig lighter cable (about $10). So all up the hardware cost me about $300.
I run Destinator (a turn-by-turn) around town application.
Also, OziExplorer CE- I have the 1:250k All of Australia Mosaic map. Also, the set of Hema Desert maps, and a few 1:50 & 1:25 maps of frequently used areas.
I will be getting a 2gb card soon, so's to fit a few more maps on.
I have fitted an extra cig. lighter socket with permanent power to drive the PDA (so it doesn't flatten when the ignition is off). I also use this power for the UHF, so it stays on with the ignition off.
The 2110 is probably the bottom of the barrel- but it works for me. Has done the Beadell rds, Gunbarrel, Simpson, and quite a few weekenders with no probs. I just received the Hema (digital) Cape York so will be loading it up, and planning a trip for July.
In summary- I don't think you've gotta spend a squillion $$ for something that works and does the job more than adequately.

Mike, I have a MIO P350 PDA with inbuilt GPS which I have with me all the time, so if you are in the vicinity of the marina I will there over the long weekend.

Thanks, very much, everyone for your responses.

For someone who is, normally, a "decision taker!" I'm vacillating all over the place with this one :)

Should I go the e-bay route?
Should I spend the $550 and buy the Ipaq 5765 with Tomtom et al?
Should I stick with my notebook?
Should I simply hang fire and see what technology does over the next 12 months?
If I buy the PDA will I be able to _see_ it without reading glasses?

Damn! Think I'm going to go bush for a while and meditate over this one... hang on a mo... without mapping software how am I going to get there...?

!!!!!!!!

Mike Harding :)