Transferable/portable system

Panet · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 2:01 am Post subject: Transferable/portable system

Hi

A Newbie question.

I am looking for a transferable Sat Nav system. I have a Palm T3 so it could use that if that were cheaper. But I wonder how audible it would be in the car.

If not using the PDA the unit would have to be easily portable as I would want to take it to the USA and Canada to use there.

Not essential but nice would be the ability to use it handheld, i.e. on foot in a city.

I believe that various other databases are downloadable for Tom Tom, which is why I am thinking of that first. I have good reports of Tom Tom. I would need maps of Europe and also of USA and Canada.

I would be prepared to buy a big memory card for whatever device I eventually buy, 1 gig if necessary! :-)

Speed camera database is a bonus!

I have tried searching around for the information but can never find it one place that fits all my questions - so I thought I would ask here!

Note: I currently have a Toyota with its own built in CD based system (TNS 200), which has its limitations, i.e. no additional information can be imported into it, and CDs for other countries are horrendously expensive. And it would be no use the other side of the Atlantic, as the car would be still at home!
_________________
Panet
Co. Durham, UK

lbendlin · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 2:39 am Post subject:

Both Mapopolis and TomTom run well on the T3. TomTom is a tad more user friendly. Mapopolis is cheaper and has the better maps (depends on the state though). Do you already have a Bluetooth GPS receiver?
_________________
Lutz

Report Map Errors here:
TomTom/TeleAtlas NAVTEQ

Panet · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 2:47 am Post subject:

Thanks for the quick reply - although there is a time zone difference! Smile

lbendlin · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:11 am Post subject:

I am talking GPS receiver, not handsfree. How did you plan to get your current position into the T3?
_________________
Lutz

Report Map Errors here:
TomTom/TeleAtlas NAVTEQ

Pc-Mobile · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:25 am Post subject:

A BT GPS is the cheapest (less than $100) option for use with T3.

Otherwise, if you ever think of migrating to a PPC, a PDA with built in GPS (more and more emerging now) is best option though cost a LITTLE more.
_________________
Pc-Mobile
http://pc-mobile.net/gps.htm

Panet · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:49 am Post subject:

Panet · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:54 am Post subject:

lbendlin · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:03 pm Post subject:

BT as in Bluetooth. A Globalsat 338 for example (try Google)
_________________
Lutz

Report Map Errors here:
TomTom/TeleAtlas NAVTEQ

peterc10 · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:51 pm Post subject:

In order for you to understand the answers you have got basically for sat nav you need three things. An active GPS aerial to pick up the signal (the BT device Lutz mentions), an electronic gizmo (like a PDA for example) and some software to put on the electronic gizmo. Your Palm can be the electronic gizmo. You will then need some software, like Tom Tom Navidator and a sat nav receiver. Nowadays most receivers communicate with the PDA using wireless Bluetooth technology (BT)

Most BT receivers have a rechargeable battery in them so they can be used outside of the car, for walking etc. But be aware that software like TT is only any good for walking in cities. Cross country walking needs different and more detailed maps.

Alternatively you can buy a dedicated sat nav unit (like Tom Tom Go) which combines all three elements in one unit.

For your camera database you can do no better than the one on this site. It is free at the moment but very soon it will be charged at £2 per month or £19 for a year.

Hope that helps a bit
_________________
Peter
HTC Sensation
Sygic GPS for Europe (No more TT "support"!)
Copilot for USA
Bury CC9060 bluetooth car kit & Brodit mount

Panet · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the full reply. My Newbie status here showing for all to see!! :-)

It was walking in a city I was thinking about. I have done enough fell walking in my time to realise that street maps would not be a lot of use. :-)

It seems I can either:

The European, Canadian and US maps would need to be available for the chosen option.

Sorry to keep asking but my only experience of Sat Nav so far has been the built in TNS 200, which is unlike any of the systems being discussed here. I just hope others are finding this discussion useful. Perhaps it should be made 'sticky'. :-)
_________________
Panet
Co. Durham, UK

lbendlin · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:52 pm Post subject:

	PocketGPS
	Web