PDA GPS

[snorky]

I'm looking to buy a sat nav system. I want a PDA based one so I can use the PDA for other stuff but am after opinion/experience for things such as...integrated GPS antenna or not .....bluetooth antenna or not....accessories that I should have (powered mount etc) .....discuss...:)

[Mutant Rat]

I was going down the same route (pardon the pun!), but eventually settled for a dedicated TomTom 700 instead of PDA+navigation software.

Be careful to ensure:
1) It fits under the windscreen. TVR's have shallow, sharply raked screens and the 'vertical' format PDA's sometimes don't sit very comfortably on their suction mounting bracket between the screen and the dash top, particularly if you need to take the stylus out of its holder on the side, or it the PDA has a fold-out built-in GPS reciever like the Mitac Mio 168..

2) Make sure the speaker has sufficient volume for you to be able to hear the instructions. You can get mounting brackets with built in amplifiers/speakers for the 'vertical' format PDA's (eg. Mitac Mio 168) but I haven't seen them for the 'wide' format PDA's.

You often won't be able to read the screen very easily due to glare, if you are using it in a TVR with the top down, so you will be relying on the verbal instructions.

The TomTom 700 that I bought has speed-dependent volume and so is reasonably easy to hear at up to around 85mph with the top down, but anything with a weaker speaker or without speed-dependent volume would struggle.

Make sure that whatever software you get integrates with a speed camera database, too - some packages don't!

The TomTom software (also available for PDA's)is very good and very easy to use, but from my experience I'd say that it works better if you can read the screen as well - the verbal instructions are sometimes a little confusing (it will tell you to 'keep left' or bear right' when there is really a 'give way' junction, but the display on the screen hasn't been wrong, so far.

[targarama]

I have a Mitac Mio 168 which I use for my daily diary/contacts etc. etc. I have recently upgraded from Tomtom 3 to Tomtom 5. Version 5 is much faster and a big improvement. You can hear the voice instructions in the TVR, top down and the screen isn't too hard to see unless the sun is directly behind you.

Mind you, for some reason it lost the M40 Northbound between Oxford services and the A46 junction last week ... it was OK going South though so it knew the M4 0was there.

I agree you need to check the visual instructions sometimes. The voice can say something like "take the third exit on the roundabout" and it might not tally with what you're seeing on the road (but it's usually factually correct).

[nubbin]

Mutant Rat said:

I was going down the same route (pardon the pun!), but eventually settled for a dedicated TomTom 700 instead of PDA+navigation software. Be careful to ensure: 1) It fits under the windscreen. TVR's have shallow, sharply raked screens and the 'vertical' format PDA's sometimes don't sit very comfortably on their suction mounting bracket between the screen and the dash top, particularly if you need to take the stylus out of its holder on the side, or it the PDA has a fold-out built-in GPS reciever like the Mitac Mio 168.. 2) Make sure the speaker has sufficient volume for you to be able to hear the instructions. You can get mounting brackets with built in amplifiers/speakers for the 'vertical' format PDA's (eg. Mitac Mio 168) but I haven't seen them for the 'wide' format PDA's. You often won't be able to read the screen very easily due to glare, if you are using it in a TVR with the top down, so you will be relying on the verbal instructions. The TomTom 700 that I bought has speed-dependent volume and so is reasonably easy to hear at up to around 85mph with the top down, but anything with a weaker speaker or without speed-dependent volume would struggle. Make sure that whatever software you get integrates with a speed camera database, too - some packages don't! The TomTom software (also available for PDA's)is very good and very easy to use, but from my experience I'd say that it works better if you can read the screen as well - the verbal instructions are sometimes a little confusing (it will tell you to 'keep left' or bear right' when there is really a 'give way' junction, but the display on the screen hasn't been wrong, so far.

How do you link the night view to headlights? I presume there has to be some sort of hardwiring e.g. the permanent install kit - I can't see any other way it would be possible?

[nighthawk]

I use an Ipaq 2210 with a royaltek sapphire wired GPS mouse, with tom tom 5 on the card route planning and driving is a cinch.

I opted for the wired mouse as I can use it on the laptop too with autoroute.

The bluetooth gps doodahs tend to hog the pda's resources and eat up the battery from what I read.

[Prof Beard]

I'd go for the dedicated device. Those I know with PDA devices mostly agree that viewing the screen is often an issue. I have an original TomTom Go (upgrade to TT 5 software and maps) and have found it very usable in all the cars I've tried it in (including my Aero convertible)

Prof Beard

[MarkK]

snorky said:

I'm looking to buy a sat nav system. I want a PDA based one so I can use the PDA for other stuff but am after opinion/experience for things such as...integrated GPS antenna or not .....bluetooth antenna or not....accessories that I should have (powered mount etc) .....discuss...

I've got a Dell Axim x50v with a Socket OEM Bluetooth GPS, an Arkon PDA mount and TomTom5.

The PDA can be had for less than £300 and runs TT5 well although there are some minor bugs apparently. The PDA itself is actually very handy and one of the best around. The GPS is excellent - quick fixes and compact - cost about £60. The Arkon mount is good - about £50, suction mount with flexible shaft. Will charge the PDA and GPS whilst driving. Also has built in speaker with volume control.

I used www.expansys.com to buy the kit (apart from the PDA which I got from dell although expansys do sell it). Had no problems with them and the website has lots of useful info.

Hope this helps

[oggs]

I have this one


Personal Naviagation Assistant.

Features:

* Complete GPS Navigation System also covenient for pedestrians or cyclists
* Satellite based positioning (GPS)
* Integrated GPS receiver
* Including navigation maps 21 European countries
* Samsung 266 MHz processor
* TFT-Display with 65.536 colours
* SD/MMC cardslot
* 7 languages selectable
* Speed indicator
* Compass
* Integrates with MS-Outlook address book
* Pedestrian routing
* Car routing with velocity profile
* Docking station incl. USB synchronization cable
* 256MB Multimediacard (MMC)
* Car holder with suction cup
* Bike holder
* Wallet
* 12v car adapter
* AC power adapter
* Microsoft Synchronization software and outlook 2002


I've used it at le mans with no trouble, i just got a bigger card to hold a few maps.
Great multi router as well.

[Mutant Rat]

nubbin said:

How do you link the night view to headlights? I presume there has to be some sort of hardwiring e.g. the permanent install kit - I can't see any other way it would be possible?

I don't think you can, and I don't think you'd want to.

I tend to switch my headlamps on in any low-light conditions, to make myself more visible to other road users.

It needs to be really quite dark before the TomTom's night colours come into their own.

It only takes a couple of touches on the screen to change the settings, anyway.