What PDA

... oh and there is no limit to the size of the SD card. I run 2gb but I believe 4gb ones are now available.

I also have a Asus 636 & it is a great PDA with the GPS built in. Have used it on several long trips with no problems. When travelling I have both CoPilot & Ozi running - usually watching Ozi & listening to CoPilot.

It is easy to switch between them - use the right button on the bottom RHS button - it is called the Mode/Task switcher button.

Willy

Willy

I just tried that and get the message "Unable to open Port. It may be in use by another program or utility or may not exist on this device" - do I need some additional software to get the two programs to share the GPS port?

Cheers
Pete

Pete,

Franson GPSgate will allow sharing of multiple programs via the one input port.

I have tried this with OziExplorer and CoPilot and it works very well, every time.

I have tried this with OziExplorer and TomTom Navigator 6 and it doesn't. Navigator just doesn't like sharing with anything.

Also, neither CoPilot or Navigator can be "iconised" to allow something like OziExplorer to be displayed.

Under Widows 5 mobile, there is a switcher bar that can be enabled to allow moving between active programs.
As OziExplorer doesn't cover the top of the screen, the switcher icon can be accessed at any time.
CoPilot and Navigator however, use full screen mode and you cannot see the icon to activate switching mode.

Willy's reply above has given me food for thought and I will investigate if I can assign the "switcher" to a particular button.

In the meantime, I start Ozi first, then CoPilot if I'm in the metro area and need it and then shut CoPilot down once I'm in the country. When getting near a largish town, I can start CoPilot again for possible direction around that town.

In this way, Ozi is running all the time.

Also got the Asus A636, for about 18 months now.
Very happy with it.
Have Oziexplorer and Co-pilot 6, but earlier copilot 6, and it will not switch between them. Have tried GPSgate.
Have tried the mode switcher button.
But have been told 2 things.
1. Start ozi before copliot.
2. The latest version 6 copilot may be more friendly to Ozi.

Havn't tried either yet but on my to do list :o)

It also could just be me coming to grips with the system.

If you are planning to use 4gb SD cards in the Asus some work, some don't. The SD card definition for SD card, version 1.1, only defines the format up to 2gb, not above. SDHC (ver 2 of the SD card format called SD high capacity), defines the format up to 64gb I understand. But not all devices support SDHC, including the Asus mypal 636.

Apologies for hijacking the thread.

Sand Man,

Not sure what version of GPSGate or WM (or even which PDA) you're using, but I can confirm that GPSGate DOES work perfectly for running both TomTom Navigator and OziExplorer at the same time.

I have been running both on my JAMin for almost 18 months.

Me Too! ASUS that is.

Pete,

I have had my Asus MyPal for about 18 months. You do need to have GPS Gate to run 2 programmes off the GPS at the same time. Just make sure you have the ports set correctly.

It does not matter which software you start first - either CoPilot or Ozi. They can run concurrently & if you are watching maps on Ozi - the voice from CoPilot still comes through. The switching between programmes is real easy - as indicated earlier just use the switch button - RHS sector of the RHS button.

This button can be used to switch between any open programmes. The 1st time you press it it comes to the Start page & each subsequent press it just rotates through any open programmes.

Let me know if I can help further,

Willy

Thanks Willy - could you tell me which GPS Gate you loaded? Figure that if your system is working I might as well go down that path rather then trying to set something else up.

Cheers
Pete

Pete,

The software is Franson GPSGate. The web site is:-

http://franson.com/gpsgate/

You can get a free 14 day trial - I was recommended to it by GPSOZ in Sydney where I bought my PDA.

You set GPSGate to the port from GPS & then the other software - COPilot & Ozi - as virtual ports.

When you want to use it you start GPSGate first - get a satellite connection & then open the other programmes. I've never had any problems once you get the ports sorted out.

Let me know how you get on,
Willy

It's far easier to setup GPSGate to start up when your PDA starts up - that way you simply start the mapping apps (Ozi or TomTom or Co-Pilot or any combo) when you need to and the rest is always working.

You only need to set up one virtual port - I run both TTN6.03 and OziCE at the same time using the same virtual port.

Steve,

The problem I have found with Navigator 6 is that it will not share the Virtual GPS Output port. Looks as though it is the version I have. (6.010 vs your 6.03)

I use a BT-338 which uses bluetooth communication.
Input is via Com8 and Output is via Com6 which is a virtual port as created by GPSgate.
OziExplorer runs on this port OK.
CoPilot runs on this port OK.
Navigator spits the dummy, however, if Navigator is started on its own it will happily use the Com6 virtual port.

Easiest solution is to use CoPilot when also using OziExplorer.

Just for reference I use a Dell Axim X51v running Windows Mobile 5, along with:
GPSgate 2.5.0.169
Copilot V6.0.4.106
TomTom Navigator 6.010 (7720)

I also use a Haicom 4 in 1 BT holder for the PDA, but mine is kind of a 3 in 1 as I could not get the included GPS receiver to work over bluetooth. It works OK when set to use Com1 through the physical connection, but I wanted true portability,so bought a Globalsat BT-338 so I could use the PDA away from the vehicle.

Sand Man,

I seriously doubt it is your version of Navigator. I was running version 6.00 (older than yours) until recently, and Navigator never had any problems sharing a virtual com port (still doesn't with the new version). I'd say it's something setup incorrectly in your general setup elsewhere.

My setup:

imate JAMin running WM5
Holux GPSlim 236 Bluetooth GPS
GPSGate 2.0.1.125
TTN6.03 (8320) with maps v675.1431
OziExplorer CE 1.12.3

Both TTN6.03 and OziCE are using virtual COM7 as the input, which is the only output port I have setup in GPSGate. Almost every trip I do I run both TTN and OziCE concurrently for at least the onroad parts and they both perform flawlessly together....

Thanks everyone - I will give it a go. About to download gps gate now and put my limited techno skills to the test. Will let you know how it goes.
Cheers
Pete

Willy

Could you please email me peteandlyn22ATbigpondDOTcom - I have downloaded and installed it on my PDA got both programs working together but buggered if I can get the switch tasker to work.

Thanks
Pete

GPSGate versions before 2 allowed more than one application to connect to the same Virtual port.

Version 2 and higher of GPSGate you must create a virtual port for each application you want to run at the same time.

To get TomTom and Ozi to run with GPSGate 2.5 you will need to set up two Virtual ports and connect one to each app.


Peter

Peter - I ran the wizard to set it up on my ASUS 636N and it only gave me the one virtual port. Both Oziexplorer and Copilot appear to be running OK but I can't get the mode switch button to operate in a way that will let me readily switch between Ozi and Copilot

Yes, that is correct.

The GPSgate version for the PDA only creates the one virtual port which all application programs are (supposed to be) able to share.

The Laptop version however, allows manual creation of individual virtual ports for each application. I have both, although I haven't used the Laptop for GPS tracking for some time.

Pete,

Have been away for a few days so just saw your post above.

I have emailed you with some more detail on the mode switcher button,

Let me know if you don't receive the email,

Regards, Willy

There I go again. HP 5965 NOT 6965.

Lloyd B

I have an hp5965 also, and think it's great for navigation.

It comes with Tom Tom, and I've added ozi. They can be run at the same time.

Having previously had a different ipaq with bluetooth gps, I find the 5965 is a bit thicker however it is great to have the inbuilt gps - it means there's one device to turn on, one power cable, the supplied cradle suits me well, and the multitude of shortcut buttons means with a couple of button presses any program you like can be up and running.

It takes and SD card, which I reckon you can now get in 4gb.

The only thing I don't like about it, compared to my old hp 4150, is that it's considerably bulkier so not well suited to slipping into your pocket. I'm just fussy though!!

And you can buy the HP5965 from $400 when on special, Not sure if they will read the 4gig SD card

Skippy


They will read the 4gig SD card

They will not read the 4 gig SDHC card

If you buy a 4 gig card which I have be careful or you will not be able to use it with yout trevel companion



Tjilpi

Ditto,

Great unit

Pete

Don't suppose you have tried running a wireless SD Card in your 5765 ? I have such a card but am having trouble configuring it

Cheers

Wilgadene


Sorry - cannot help you as I have not run a wireless SD card in mine.

You may be able to get help from HP.


Tjilpi

Thanks Kumunara

We've managed to get ours working now with the wifi SD card - after much gnashing of teeth!! Brilliant little gadget now and works faster than our laptop at doing most things.

Cheers
Wilgadene

Michelle



I do not have a problem with the screen size. I am 55 and need glasses to read.

I can use moving map on the laptop by connecting the PDA.

It gives you a lot of versatility.

1. You can you Tom Tom for voice direction on road navigation

2. You can use Oziexplorer CE for off road navigation on the PDA

3. You can connect the PDA to the laptop and use Oziexplorer on the laptop for navigation.

4. The PDA is portable so it can be used when walking.



Regards



Tjilpi

Michelle I am interested in knowing how you use the laptop, does it sit on the passengers lap or is it mounted some how?

I have my laptop in the back seat and run a video out lead to a 7"monitor on the dash.

I wanted to have the laptop in the front and put the trouble and strife in the back seat. I don't know why she refused. No sense of humour.



Tjilpi

Hi Michelle,

The Dell PDA running OziExplorer has a big enough display for almost everything. The moving map function works very well.

I am still learning it's finer points, e.g. tapping the screen to record a waypoint. I am yet to be convinced that it would be as practical as the Laptop when recording data to create Treknotes.

Compactness is the biggest advantage.

My Wife mildly objected to the Laptop's "intrusion" when travelling.
She used to have it sitting on her lap until I installed the Laptop holder so it sat over the centre console, but she still thought of it as an intrusion, so I invested in the PDA solution. I agree with your point about the larger screen allowing those finer details to be more apparent. It all becomes a compromise in one way or the other I guess, but you just cannot beat the bigger display size the Laptop provides.

From my point of view, the jury is still out on what is the best setup.

Bill.

Hello Michelle - use a PDA/OziExplorer all the time and cant say I find the issue you mention significant....but this doesn’t mean it isn’t an issue for some as we all have different requirements. No doubt the bigger the screen the better but range of advantages using a PDA and disadvantages of using a laptop outweigh any screen size issues, for me at least . Also note that most handheld GPS units have smaller screens than PDAs so if it was a universal problem there would be a lot of sufferers, though no doubt some people find PDA (and I presume handheld GPS screens) too small to use properly in a car.

OziExplorerCE has ability to show more of the map in your direction of travel, which does help in giving forward warning of approaching features of interest (though doesn’t help if they are to left or right of displayed area). The PDA touch screen also allows you to pan outside current view for sneek peek of adjoining areas in any direction (though you have to turn off GPS communication to view adjoining map sheets).

A bit of forward planning on the PC (making waypoints, map features, routes and tracks) before departing on trip also goes a long way in making sure you don’t miss anything special (applicable if using PDA, handheld GPS or Laptop)...so you can work around the screen size issue if it becomes an annoying problem.

Cheers
Greg

HK


That's probably why the HP5965 is selling cheap at the moment.

It will be interesting to see what the cost is of the new model.



Tjilpi