MM2003 50k maps on 2.2GB minidrive

[TimB]

I use MM2003 50k maps on 256k SD cards on an Ipaq 3970 (Pocket PC2002) However I would prefer not to keep having to change cards and would like to free up the cards for other stuff. I also have an expansion jacket with a PCMCIA card slot and don't often use the slot. I have seen advertised CF Type 2 compatible minidrives (2.2GB for £165) and I have a PCMCIA to CF adaptor.

I am contemplating using MM2003 maps on a this minidrive - power would not be an issue as I would only use this combination in a powered brodit mount. The GPS receiver is a BT emtac.

Does anybody have experience of using enormous sections of mapping like this or does it slow up or freeze the Ipaq. I just like the idea for in car use of never having to plan to take the right bits of map, simply have a massive area on the go for all the time!

The other problem I have is loading big chunks to the card via the Ipaq. Anyone have any tips how to speed this up or prevent download error messages - I have a card writer but I don't think MM2003 supports this.
I have copied & pasted whole regions before (eg the 1:250k road atlas, but get error messages (after about 2 hours) saying the transfer failed if I try to use the normal transfer screen method.

Finally, if or when I upgrade to MM2004 would this change either of these issues? If I change the Ipaq one day am I right in thinking that the only one in the current range that is compatible with my 3970's expansion jacket and mounts etc. is the H5550?

Sorry to ask so many questions in one go, but fingers crossed!
Tim

[MrT]

I have used a whole map and aerial photo on an 1GB SD card and the size of map made no difference. There is a set scale range on the PDA version so you only read the data you need from the card and the maximum amount is the same whatever tha map size.

[mikealder]

Just loaded the Lakes at 1:25,000 on to an SD card in my USB card read/ writer without any problems - yes it took some time but far faster than when coupled through the IPAQ-4700 and MS Sync - get a good quality card as I have one that take four times longer to write to for the same amount of data as the beter one - you payes your money and reap the longer term benefit of faster uploads - the PPC seems fine wit the large map so have t wait and see when the weather improves and I use it in anger (fair weather only) - Mike

[MikeB]

I recently went to Florida and managed to create a 300Mb map file. This worked fine on my 4700. The 3790 is one of the faster older Compaqs so speed should not be an issue.

With my version of MM2004 (4.3.1) I get the option to write to a "Storage card on the PC" when exporting the Map to my PDA which can be just a directory. I use this and then transfer the file to my hard drive and then ust the card reader to transfer to the memory-card.
_________________
Mike Barrett

We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
Have you considered making a donation towards website running costs?.
Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!