Upgrading wired to Bluetooth

[thekirbyfake]

I've currently got the TT3 wired set up with my Ipaq 2210.

I'm considering changing over to the BT option. Questions:

1. What's the cheapest way of doing this? I can only find TT3 bundles with the software included and I only need the BT mouse (and power cable)

2. Do I actually need the TT3 BT software or will it work with my existing TT3 wired software?

Thanks in advance.

Kirby
_________________
HP iPAQ 2210; TT5 wired; 256Mb Kingston CF; 256Mb Viking SD; Arkon Powered Speaker Mount

HTC TyTn; TT6 BT; 1Gb SanDisk MicroSD

[DavidW]

Your existing software is fine - no need to replace it.

All you need to do is buy a Bluetooth GPS - and not necessarily the TomTom one (the standalone TomTom Bluetooth GPS package is designed to be a replacement GPS and lacks the accessories). My favourite of the current offerings is the Fortuna Clip On - you have the best of both worlds as things currently stand, as you can switch between standard SiRF and SiRF XTrac 2 firmware depending on your needs.


Be aware that if you can hang on a few months, we should see Bluetooth GPSes becoming available that are based on the new SiRFstar III chipset. This reportedly improves on the already impressive performance of devices like the Clip On (which are SiRFstar IIe/LP based). SiRFstar III supposedly combines the advantages of standard SiRF and XTrac firmware.



David

[thekirbyfake]

Thanks David!

You lost me little there with all the talk of surfing but I think I got the idea.
_________________
HP iPAQ 2210; TT5 wired; 256Mb Kingston CF; 256Mb Viking SD; Arkon Powered Speaker Mount

HTC TyTn; TT6 BT; 1Gb SanDisk MicroSD

[DavidW]

Glad you got it.


Most of the Bluetooth GPSes use a SiRF GPS chipset. Most products at the moment are based on the SiRFstar IIe/LP chipset, running either "standard SiRF" firmware or SiRF XTrac 2.

These two firmwares have different strengths and weaknesses. XTrac 2 works with poorer signals, but can sometimes give worse results than "standard SiRF". The Clip On allows you to switch between the two - you slide a little switch that hides under the power switch with the GPS turned off.


There's a new generation of SiRF based GPSes coming out next year - that's the SiRFstar III bit.


The key thing is that any Bluetooth GPS will work with your existing software - you don't have to buy the TomTom one.



David

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