To save from wading

jakjon · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 13, 2004 Posts: 5

I am new to gps and find everying complicated even the forums everybody seems to speak with a GPS tongue about 5 m from accuracy....Only joking,,,just need some info as i have been wanting gps for ages,,,,I wanted to know if you could use a handheld like Garmin or Magellan and connect it to your pc and use software sach as infomap with voice (do the handehelds work just as GPS receivers too.) And then which software I think Infomap is the cheapest UK and Europe for £50 (amazing) but I see you all recommend co-pilot £130 software only.The other question is for a complete solution I am interested in a GPS phone does anybody have the info on this and who would be my normal phone provider or do O2, Orange have any deals going on....
Any or all info would be appreciated....

Thanks

Jack

Darren · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 9:08 pm Post subject:

Absolutely Smile

The vast majority of Garmin's handheld range offer what is known as 'NMEA Output' which in laymans terms means it has an interface which provides GPS position data to an external device such as a PC/Laptop, PocketPC etc.

NMEA is the defacto standard for position data and is used by neraly all apps which accept GPS Data.

With a suitable connecting lead you could as you wish plug the GPS Handheld into a laptop and have it 'drive' an application such as InfoMap Navigator.

InfoMap is a bargain and offers voice and routing but it is not very user friendly and has a cluttered screen layout, CoPilot laptop is by contrast the best laptop package you will find hence it's price.

As for GPS Cellphones, forget them, those from Garmin and Benefon are way behind regular handsets in terms of featires and whilst some handsets from '3' such as the Motorola's have GPS receivers, '3' do not allow access to the data as yet and even when they do it will likely be for use in selling location based services via the handset and not to allow the data to be sued as you wish.

I hope this helps.
_________________
Darren Griffin

Hunnymonster · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 9:10 pm Post subject:

And of course everything Darren has said applies equally to most of the other manufacturers of handheld units - Magellan, Lowrance & Fortuna to name but three.

Darren · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 9:13 pm Post subject:

Yes indeed, my apologies for leaving the others out, Garmin may be the biggest name but not the only one by any means! My very first consumer GPS was a Magellan and an excellent handset it was too.
_________________
Darren Griffin

jakjon · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 13, 2004 Posts: 5

I thank you for your swift replies ....I need to use GPS for in car(Europen routes) I also need portable accurate european major city plans which is for work. For me i would like something so i do not get lost in the hills ....any suggestions as the handhelds look more or less the same to me....

Thanks again

Jack

alix776 · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 9:36 pm Post subject:

just to add even more confusion have you thought about the copilot for ms smartphone or route66 for the nokias the copilot looks the best and should give you (i think im right here but could be wrong) uk and european maps all on your moblie if you go on contract then somthing like the spv would be a lot cheeper than buying a pda and though you would end up buying the software and a gps receaiver
_________________
currently using aponia truck navigation on windows phone. Good bye IOS don't let the door hit you on the way out .

Oh the joys of being a courier.
device Lumia 950 xl

jakjon · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 13, 2004 Posts: 5

Ok smartphones perhaps might be the future but they are not ready yet. I have checked Garmin do have NMEA output Magellan dont Lowrance have a website far too complicated for me. Does this mean I can connect a Foretrex to my PC and it will work. The size appeals to me....

Thanks

Jack

Hunnymonster · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 10:46 pm Post subject:

jakjon · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 13, 2004 Posts: 5

Again I thank you for your posts. I was looking at the cheaper Magellen models which dont support NMEA only because the internet retailer only offered these models. But again it only adds more to confusion Garmin or Magellan they both look the same I would like a colour display and the specs I have mentioned...Please give me a recommendation which of the handhelds would you buy to suit my needs.....

Thank you

Jack

jakjon · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 13, 2004 Posts: 5

I have still not received a recommendation surely out of all these members one of you have a handheld that you like...or pehaps not....
Simple requirements , NMEA output colour screen, on base memory for city maps, use in mountains as well. Garmin , Magellan, Lowrance, etc i have no brand loyalty...

Any advice much appreciated....

Thanks

Jack

	PocketGPS
	Web