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]

Originally Posted by 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).

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by evldave

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.

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]

Originally Posted by ree

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&m inisite=10020

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

https://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DEL...?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 )

[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.

[ree]

evldave,
Can you comment on the mediocre customer reviews of the earthmate on cnet: http://reviews.cnet.com/DeLorme_Eart...98.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.