PDAs, GPS, Sat-Nav and speed cameras

[pbrettle]

Anyone,

Have been using an Ipaq with a Navman 3000 sucessfully for about a year now. Recently upgraded the software to the TomTom Navigator version (SmartST is rebranded TomTom if no-one knew). Anyway, firstly the TomTom software is EXCELLENT. Bought off Ebay and much cheaper that the upgrade from Navman - key features if anyone is interested:

1) moving map display - no paging
2) speaking directions - not a gimick really
3) clear display of directions and summary - better than previousl
4) accuracy - much more accurate on road selection
5) Full detail map for UK - but is 85MB in size!!!!

Thats all well and good but notice in Autocar this week that TrafCam have a new product for the Ipaq that integrates with the TomTom software for speed camera detection (via GPS). Anyone tried this? Does it work OK?

I used to use the Pocketstreetmap.co.uk software for speedcameras but it seems that they are either out of business or going bust at the moment - they are refusing to answer my phone calls or emails! Lost my license (Ipaq ran out of batteries) and I just want it again.... so need alternatives. Oh, and will be attempting to recover my money from them for the loss of use of the software!

Any other alternatives for the Ipaq with a GPS device? Dont really want an off-the-shelf product like RoadAngel etc as these are little expensive at the moment.

Welcome suggestions and guidelines.... anyone tried this and any feedback on the Trafcam software?

Cheers,

Paul

[Steve_T]

I have an iPAQ with Tom Tom and I agree it's a top system. Check out the Tom Tom website, there are UK speed cameras listed on their points of interest databases, which are submitted by users of Tom Tom. I've not got these extra POIs to work yet, however the pre-installed ones do. I'm sure it can't be that difficult to do, but I didn't spend much time trying or read the help.

Cheers,
Steve.

[daydreamer]

Not at all O/T Paul.

How much do the GPS jackets cost for the iPaq. I've got one going spare after we decided on a more industrial unit for the application that it was intended for.

I've got (or have on order anyway) a Snooper SR6 for licence protection, but it would be nice to have Sat Nav on a temporary basis (it won't fit in my new car anyway and I would only use it a couple of times a month).

Watching thread with interest....

[pbrettle]

daydreamer said: Not at all O/T Paul.

How much do the GPS jackets cost for the iPaq. I've got one going spare after we decided on a more industrial unit for the application that it was intended for.

I've got (or have on order anyway) a Snooper SR6 for licence protection, but it would be nice to have Sat Nav on a temporary basis (it won't fit in my new car anyway and I would only use it a couple of times a month).

Watching thread with interest....

Well take a look at the following :

www.navman-mobile.com/html/products.htm

I have a Navman GPS3000 and now with the TomTom Navigator software I get the voice turn by turn directions etc.. Probably nothing in it between this software and the Navman SmartST stuff....

A quick search of ebay has come up with 15 items for sale. Looking at about £150 second hand for the GPS 3000 one which aint bad. One thing that I would say against the Navman is that it is a jacket GPS - which means that it needs to physically be in view (either open air or through the glass) to the sky. Ok if you have the space and location to do this, but might not be appropriate for all. Therefore try a separate system like the TomTom one:

www.tomtom.com/products/platform/products.php?ID=31&Language=1

You can get the software AND GPS receiver (which is a plug in one on the end of a cable) for €429 (about £286) which aint bad I suppose. Search on Ebay for anything cheaper though.

Quite expensive but portable and works well. The latest generation stuff aint perfect, but by being on something like an Ipaq they are fast and effective. Seen some of the proprietary Garmin units and they are SLOOOOOWWWwww. Latest generation ones are great, but hey at £880 each then they better be... Cheap, chearful and can be used. But never going to be as good as a full professional fitted multi-head navigation unit from the leading car stereo makers - then again they do cost from £1500 upwards for a decent screen variant.

Cheers,

Paul

P.S. If you have a Renault or similar with the funny front windscreens (if you have one you know what I mean) then ANY GPS receiver wont work. You need a different way of doing this.....