Which GPS Receiver to choose for an ipaq 2210

jrgriffin · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 04, 2004 Posts: 8

I'm new to the GPS world but have clear views on what I want to get out of my GPS solution but am unsure if a) my expectations are unworkable b) what is the correct kit to fulfil my needs.

I want to run Memory-Map Os 1:50000 software on my ipaq via GPS so that when I'm out cycling I can see the route in real-time, just like Bond did when trailing Goldfinger across Europe in his Aston Martin. Not sure if the software works in this way.

My queries surround which GPS kit to use - do I go Syson CF+ or Bluetooth ( Emtac, Fortuna or Tom Tom ) and crucially if I'm cycling for 3/4 hrs+, is there any sort of portable power supply for the ipaq that will keep it charged for that long based on the GPS kit it is paired with.

My gut feeling says go Tom Tom3 Bluetooth Navigator3 route as I gain the Car Software as a bonus but then i've heard there may be issues running Tom Tom and Memory-map on the same ipaq.

All comments appreciated ... although my hope is whatever kit I buy it is re-useable in the future with most handhelds or Smartphones.

Thanks

John

lbendlin · Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2004 2:42 am Post subject:

There are no (insurmountable) issues running MM and TomTom on the same machine. However the TomTom BT GPS is not necessarily suited for outdoors.

Although a CF receiver is technically ok, you will want to get a BT receiver that has an exchangeable battery - so you can carry extra batteries both for the iPAQ and for the GPS/

In addition you can use the good old AA 4-pack solution to keep the PDA and the receiver on juice. If everything else fails, get yourself a sidewinder www.sidewinder.ca .. I am serious here - this little gadget can save your life...
_________________
Lutz

Report Map Errors here:
TomTom/TeleAtlas NAVTEQ

MarkHewitt · Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 4:28 pm Post subject:

I've ran TomTom and MM on my ipaq before but it did crash shortly afterwards so don't know if that is related!

Anyway, if you have MM already then I would recommend the CF solution for cycling, if only because it means that your GPS and ipaq will then effectively be integrated together in one unit, no extra power etc to have to worry about.

I'm not sure of how long the battery in your ipaq would last tho (even without the GPS), you might want to look at some of the battery addons available.

icsys · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:56 am Post subject:

If you are only cycling for three quarters of an hour or so then the PDA battery with CF GPS should be OK.

However, if you want your kit to be re-usable in the future I would recommend a Bluetooth GPS receiver. Most new PDA's don't come with a CF slot so upgrading to a new model is likely to mean your CF GPS could become redundant.

I use a Bluetooth receiver and can get 15+ hours from it on new batteries and a conservative 5+ hours from a full charge with the 2210 - more than enough for a cycling expedition.
_________________
Ian.
iPAQ 2210 | Navman 4100 BT Receiver
Navman iCN 635
TomTom GO
Anquet OS mapping

MarkHewitt · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 10:19 am Post subject:

I forgot to switch my ipaq off when I got to work yesterday, it was running the whole day just sitting in the car. Admittedly I have it set to turn the backlight off completely when there is no input, but the ipaq and the CF GPS was running continuously for 8 hours, and it had used 50% of the power in the battery.

So I expect battery life shouldn't be too much of a problem when cycling, as long as you set the backlight to switch off after a minute or two.

semrots · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:55 pm Post subject:

With the Haicom 303E in a 2210 with backlight on I got just around 2 hours use before battery warnings came up - I think according to PDA there was still circa 45 mins left.

DavidW · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 9:14 pm Post subject:

The battery life is very dependent on the backlight level. I find I can keep my backlight very dim in indoor conditions; I've got used to working that way. It makes a huge difference to the battery life, as does turning off wireless radios if they're not in use.

David

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