Walking with TomTom

[Malchemilla]

I am new to PDAs and navigation systems but have recently bought an iPAQ 4150 and TomTom Navigator 3 with bluetooth GPS receiver for Pocket PC.

Though still confused by many things I have at least got it working satisfactorily in the car. But I want to use it also when walking in both city streets and the countryside. So far I have tried it only in city streets in an area which I know well. Its performance is totally erratic. It frequently loses track of where I am and tells me to take non-existent turns. I can only suppose that the GPS receiver jiggling in my pocket and the PDA swinging in my hand are driving it insane. Can anyone tell me the recommended way of using the navigation system reliably when walking?

[nej]

The problem is cities is a thing known as Urban Canyoning, although the correct term is Multipath Error. What this means is that the GPS receiver is surrounded by buildings and has a very limited view of the sky, and the signals it does receive are bouncing off the buildings several times before they reach your receiver. This delays the signal, which decreases the accuracy and that is the problem you are seeing.

Not too much you can do about it really... it works a bit better in a car, as you will not be on the pavement right next to a building. The only thing you can do is make sure the receiver has as good a view of the sky as possible.

HTH

[icsys]

TomTom (or any other street nav software for that matter) is useless for walking in the country. There is not enough detail in the maps.

If you are serious about walking then you will need topographical software for the PPC.

There are several options that use Ordnance Survey maps in full colour.
Here are a few pointers:
www.anquet.co.uk
www.memory-map.co.uk
www.fugawi.com

If you require further info just ask.
_________________
Ian.
iPAQ 2210 | Navman 4100 BT Receiver
Navman iCN 635
TomTom GO
Anquet OS mapping

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