PC Software and GPS recommendations

[ree]

I'm planning on mounting a small tablet PC (probably one of the newfangled origami/UMPC's) in my H2 for navigation, media, plus whatever else.

Questions:

- What is the best PC-based, GPS-enabled mapping/navigation software?

- Any recommendations for GPS hardware? The tablet/UMPC will likely only have USB2.0 peripheral ports. I think I might be able to get a PC card adapter for it, but I really want something where I can roof mount the GPS antenna and not have to run extra power to the GPS unit (too many wires).

[dеiтайожни]

I had a windows based carputer for navigation/media/internet/etc a couple years ago and the best software I found was DeLorme Street Atlas. Whatever umpc you get, it will probably have bluetooth, there are a ton of battery powered bluetooth gps devices out there.

[evldave]

I'm planning on mounting a small tablet PC (probably one of the newfangled origami/UMPC's) in my H2 for navigation, media, plus whatever else.

Questions:

- What is the best PC-based, GPS-enabled mapping/navigation software?

- Any recommendations for GPS hardware? The tablet/UMPC will likely only have USB2.0 peripheral ports. I think I might be able to get a PC card adapter for it, but I really want something where I can roof mount the GPS antenna and not have to run extra power to the GPS unit (too many wires).

Here's my current setup. It's worked on 40k+ miles of camping trips over the last 3 years (the US & Canada + Alaska).

I prefer Microsoft Streets & Trips for basic 'where am I at right now?' location. For that, I use a Garmin 12 (old school GPS) with serial connector. I've just upgraded to the 60csx (or whatever the # is), but I'll still use the serial connector because I use the USB for other stuff. I don't like this for real-time routing since it doesn't have good directions yet (the 2006 edition added voice, etc. but it's got a long way to go to match delorme IMHO).

For routefinding & realtime driving directions, I use the Delorme Topo 6.0 & Street Atlas, usually the TOPO 6.0 since I'm offroad a lot. For the GPS for that, I use the Earthmate w/USB interface. You can't use 1 GPS for 2 software packages & using 2 USB GPSs causes mucho conflict for some reason.

For other offroad, I also use NatGeo TOPO! w/the various states (I have WA, CA, AK, IL, WI, ID, UT, OR + Nat'l parks + backroads). I prefer that since I used to be a geologist and can read them better for loading in waypoints, printing on the road,, etc than the delorme, but they aren't as nice while driving.

For regular daily driving, I drop the USB interface for the earthmate and put it in the bluetooth powerpack adapter (rechargeable or plug-in) and use my IPAQ 4700 w/streets & trips. I have the Delorme Street Atlas for handhelds and HATE IT - the refresh is ridiculously (sp) slow - that was a waste of $30. I still haven't found any pocket PC-based routing software I like.

Yes, I'm a map junkie. My first step was admitting it, then I went and bought more maps.:D

[evldave]

Oh yeah, I also just got a P4 desktop ready to install. Will have 300GB HD w/all my MP3s, navigation software and a 15" touchscreen. Will be installed against in the back under the sleeping platform (I have an H3) w/the monitor mounted to a swingarm from the dash (still haven't worked that out yet, too f'in hot here to do anything outside). Good luck!

[ree]

Here's my current setup. It's worked on 40k+ miles of camping trips over the last 3 years (the US & Canada + Alaska).

I prefer Microsoft Streets & Trips for basic 'where am I at right now?' location. For that, I use a Garmin 12 (old school GPS) with serial connector. I've just upgraded to the 60csx (or whatever the # is), but I'll still use the serial connector because...

For routefinding, I use the Delorme Topo 6.0 & Street Atlas, usually the TOPO 6.0 since I'm offroad a lot. For the GPS for that, I use the Earthmate w/USB interface. You can't use 1 GPS for 2 software packages & using 2 USB GPSs causes mucho conflict for some reason.

For other offroad, I also use NatGeo TOPO! w/the various states (I have WA, CA, AK, IL, WI, ID, UT, OR + Nat'l parks + backroads). I prefer that since I used to be a geologist and can read them better for loading in waypoints, printing on the road,, etc than the delorme, but they aren't as nice while driving.

For regular daily driving, I drop the USB interface for the earthmate and put it in the bluetooth powerpack adapter (rechargeable or plug-in) and use my IPAQ 4700 w/streets & trips. I have the Delorme Street Atlas for handhelds and HATE IT - the refresh is ridiculously (sp) slow - that was a waste of $30.

Yes, I'm a map junkie. My first step was admitting it, then I went and bought more maps.:D

Yikes. This is not helping me ;) I do know what all those things mean, but it certainly doesn't help me narrow the field for picking a single piece of software and a single GPS unit :)

I do like the notion of a bluetooth enabled unit. I don't like the idea of it being battery powered. I want something reliable that I don't have to nurse by charging or replacing batteries. I also want something that works well in a lot of environments, e.g. city, tree canopy. I don't need a multipurpose device.

If I can get some good pointers for specific GPS hardware products to consider, I'm going to trial a copy of the delorme software from a friend.

[evldave]

Yikes. This is not helping me ;) I do know what all those things mean, but it certainly doesn't help me narrow the field for picking a single piece of software and a single GPS unit :)

I do like the notion of a bluetooth enabled unit. I don't like the idea of it being battery powered. I want something reliable that I don't have to nurse by charging or replacing batteries. I also want something that works well in a lot of environments, e.g. city, tree canopy. I don't need a multipurpose device.

If I can get some good pointers for specific GPS hardware products to consider, I'm going to trial a copy of the delorme software from a friend.

ok, here's my recommendation (sorry for the ramble, been drinkin for awhile now). Buy the Delorme Earthmate GPS w/Street Atlas 2006. You get a USB-powered unit that uses WAAS (much more accurate), so no need to plug it in twice. The software works good.

Plus, if you want to upgrade to bluetooth, you can do so by getting the bluetooth adapter (with battery, so absolutely no cables).

Here's a web special for everything (including TOPO 6, which kicks azz)

https://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?section=10091&item=24466&minisite=10020

Here's the bluetooth version (sorry, no specials)

https://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10093

I wouldn't get the S&T2006 setup from microsoft since they still don't have as good a real-time navigation & voice directions. All that other BS stuff I said, just ignore it until you become a junkie (and you will become a junkie:D )

[f5fstop]

Can't help with the laptop GPS, since I have always used hand units (Garmin 60csx latest one). However, in the area of batteries I might help.
Get some of the 2500 mAh Energizer NiMH and you will be amazed at the time they hold a charge.
My 60csx, with the backlight on full, will run for almost 16 hours; without the backlight on, over 25 hours. Alkalines...don't even ask.:D

[ree]

evldave,
Can you comment on the mediocre customer reviews of the earthmate on cnet: http://reviews.cnet.com/DeLorme_Earthmate_GPS/4505-3490_7-30473998.html?tag=mp

I know these are all old, but I haven't seen newer reviews yet. Other than getting the Earthmate to work with other software, have you been happy enough with it?

The Earthmate does look nice, especially since there's an optional external antenna you can mount up on the roof. I'd be willing to route the coax from that in through the markers and out of the overhead console somewhere.

However, I don't see the adapter that allows you to upgrade the USB Earthmate to be battery+bluetooth enabled on their site. The cnet review shows this product, but I delorme doesn't seem to be including it on their site.

[evldave]

evldave,
Can you comment on the mediocre customer reviews of the earthmate on cnet: http://reviews.cnet.com/DeLorme_Earthmate_GPS/4505-3490_7-30473998.html?tag=mp

I know these are all old, but I haven't seen newer reviews yet. Other than getting the Earthmate to work with other software, have you been happy enough with it?.

Can't speak to the review, but here's my experiences. I've got a Garmin 12, 60csx (brand new) and the earthmate. The 12 loses signal first, and will not work anywhere in the hummer except up on the dash (can't get a signal because of the metal I guess). The earthmate loses signal next, but rarely loses 2d (which is good for mapping I don't care about elevation), the 60 almost never loses signal, even inside the truck.

I drive in mtn valleys regularly, and do lose 3d on the earthmate (almost never on the 60 which I think has a new receiver). I don't lose the 2d that often, but it's also a pretty cheap GPS, so I'm happy w/the cost-performance.

It's slow to acquire the signal when inside the vehicle (can take 3-5 minutes sitting on the dash), but outside the rig can acquire w/in just a minute or two.

However, I don't see the adapter that allows you to upgrade the USB Earthmate to be battery+bluetooth enabled on their site. The cnet review shows this product, but I delorme doesn't seem to be including it on their site.

I can't help you there, maybe google it? I bought mine a couple years ago, from delorme (paid $99 for the bluetooth/battery).

[f5fstop]

I have that 60csx and I agree, it pulls in signals every where and fast. That new SiRF III chip is amazing. Did you get the new software update 2.90 and the new WAAS software update 2.60; free on the Garmin site?

[ree]

FYI, I just contacted Delorme about bluetooth and usb and found out the following tidbits:

- the LT-20 (part of the bundle posted above) does not have a bluetooth adapter and that their BlueLogger is the only bluetooth choice right now.
- the BlueLogger does not support USB
- if you want an external antenna, you have to use the BlueLogger receiver
- the newer receivers are all NMEA compliant so they should work with other vendors' software if that software talks NMEA
- the delorme mapping software should work with any NMEA 0183 2.0 or higher receiver

So it sounds like you need to go all bluetooth or all USB if you want to use one of their bundles.

But, according to their sales guy statements (above) it should be possible to use the Delorme software with the Garmin 60CSx. If this actually works, I'd spend the extra money to get the better receiver and cope with the extra wires somehow.

Any chance you can verify their claims that the 6.0 Delorme software will work with the Garmin for realtime navigation????

Thanks.

[Fubar]

contact rodster he's got a pretty cool windows tablet setup running gps software. It's great to see gps info on a 8x11 screen.

The Garmin 60cs is a great handheld.

[ree]

contact rodster he's got a pretty cool windows tablet setup running gps software. It's great to see gps info on a 8x11 screen.

The Garmin 60cs is a great handheld.
I will. He went inactive on the forums just after the great Mojave Road fiasco. I'll see if he responds to PMs on either the new or old site.

[JetEyeNite]

GPS Unit:
I currently have a Holux GPSlim 236 bluetooth GPS unit under my dash board. I also ran an external antenna from the roof of my car down to under my dash board and connected it to the GPS unit. The external antenna is functioning great. I do get some signal w/o the antenna but it does disconnect from time to time.

Before this unit, I used to have a Globat Sat bluetooth unit but this one is not as good as the Holux unit. This unit had some problem finding signals from time to time. Holus is rock solid.

Software:
I used to use TeleType software. Now I use Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006.
Things I liked about TeleType over MS SNT:
1) Auto Reroute if you miss your turn
2) Estimated time of arrival is displayed

Things I like about MS SNT over TeleType
1) Does not crash like TeleType
2) Better human voice J
3) Looks better ? J

[evldave]

I have that 60csx and I agree, it pulls in signals every where and fast. That new SiRF III chip is amazing. Did you get the new software update 2.90 and the new WAAS software update 2.60; free on the Garmin site?

No, but I will now!

[Andy C]

I use Garmin City Navigator in the car and Garmin Blue Charts on the boat - they are both excellent - I think.

I use a Garmin 276c Plus - I have never lost the signal on it, even going through the only tunnel in Florida - granted it is only about 50 yards long.

City Navigator seems to be pretty comprehensive and does the auto rerouting thing well - I think most Garmins can be connected to a PC - I used to use an Etrex in my old H2 linked to a laptop.

I wish that I had waited for the 376c though - it is equipped with XM radio and live weather radar feed that you can overlay on the base map - great for on the boat.

The thing I like the most about the 276 is that you load all the base maps onto a memory card - so I keep City Navigator on one card and Blue Charts on another - I just swap the cards out when I move from the truck to the boat.

[ree]

The Garmin 276/376 units are nice. I saw the latter one with the weather radar recently and it's pretty cool.

I'm however, avoiding these dedicated nav units since they don't make a lot of sense to me financially. These are ~850-900. I'm already planning to mount a UMPC tablet PC. I'll probably put about $1200 into one of these and have a general purpose computer at my disposal that I want to use for media, web access when on the go, picture storage and navigation. I figure if I put another $300-500 into GPS receiver+antenna and good mapping software, I've got a lot more feature for the money. Sure I won't beable to get the XM-fed radar, but that's not a dealbreaker for me.

BTW, damn you H2 Rocks (and Mike Morris too) for awakening my gadget bug and convincing me I need to do this GPS/mapping thing :D