Newbie question: what do I buy?

Jammer · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 3:14 pm Post subject: Newbie question: what do I buy?

I have an iPaq 3870 lying around... and I want to join the GPS bandwagon.

BUT... what should I buy!?
Tomtom? Copilot?
What's the difference?
Is one better than the other.

Should I buy hardware and then buy software seperately?
(Can I do this?)

I want to spend as small amount as possible, but I don't want to get something useless... :|

I've been looking at the iPaq Nav 2 - for sale at £85 + VAT!!
BUT... I just spoke to someone from Copilot... they told me that they wouldn't recommend it... it's 2-3 years old and the map data is old.
(But... they did say I could buy the latest UK and Europe map data at £100 each... but the US maps would not be compatible.)

Is there a dummies guid to GPS on this website?

ANY help/pointers would be really appreciated.

Thanks.

Jam

Steve999 · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 3:22 pm Post subject:

If you post where you live it may assist others to help you.

Steve
_________________
Google Pixel 4a 5G Handset
Sygic
CoPilot
Nissan Connect

Jammer · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 3:36 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the reply.
I'm from London.
I've updated my profile so it contains more info.

Is that relevant (asking in a polite inquisitive way)? Smile

_________________
iPaq 3870
Fortuna Clip On Bluetooth
Tomtom
London
Currently testing Fortuna to see if it's any good!

Steve999 · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 4:48 pm Post subject:

Your location is relevant to which software package you choose as coverage is better for different products dependant upon which country you live in.

I understand that software companies will try to sell you their current or latest products. That is the nature of things. However, older computers often run more efficiently with software from their own generation - to take this to the ridiculous, you would not try to run XP on an old 486 for example (well I wouldn't!).

No doubt a 3870 user (or somebody with knowledge of same) will be able to advise you more accurately as to what will run smoothly on that model but I guess that it has a Windows 2002 operating system. I would suggest that you can get hold of TTN2 quite cheaply and it will run smoothly on that PPC. I wouldn't worry too much about the maps being a year older than some of the other packages as for everyday experience, you will not find that to be a practical disadvantage. Ask all the happy TTN2 users on this forum!

I would be wary of trying to run recent, high demand software on your machine but others may be able to advise you better.

Steve
_________________
Google Pixel 4a 5G Handset
Sygic
CoPilot
Nissan Connect

Jammer · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 6:34 pm Post subject:

Steve, thanks for the reply.
TTN2 - Tomtom navigator 2? Smile

The choice for me at the moment is probably going for TTN3 bluetooth or the iPaq Nav 2.

I've read a review of the iPaq Nav 2 and it's not good. Apparently it misses out loads of 'small' addresses.

I actually bought the TTN3 bluetooth for someone.
The person who I bought it for is having a few problems.
The iPaq unit just freezes for no apparent reason.
The GPS signal will suddenly go - the only way to get it back is to reboot the iPaq.
And when near big buildings in the City (London) the GPS signal will dissapear until you get away from the building.
I've contacted Tomtom who have suggested doing a few things (like doing a clean reinstall).
Would you add anything else that should be tried?
And are the above common problems?

I will look up the TTN2 group and see what they say.

Thanks.

Jam
_________________
iPaq 3870
Fortuna Clip On Bluetooth
Tomtom
London
Currently testing Fortuna to see if it's any good!

Steve999 · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 6:50 pm Post subject:

There may be a number of reasons why your friends TTN3 bluetooth does not work and solid research of these forums will help in that respect.

I recently had a Tomtom bluetooth receiver that worked flawlessly when I used a top quality SD card but would freeze if a lesser quality SD card was used.

I don't know what you mean by 'ipaq nav 2' but guess you may be referring to TTN2 running on an ipaq pocket computer. If that is the case, then the map data within it is from one of the two major providers of map data and will be pretty much standard data found in all packages of the same era. TTN2 is generally well reviewed so maybe you are referring to something else.

Recommend some solid research of these forums and reviews to assist you in making your choice of hardware and software.

Whatever you do, do not buy a cheap SD card.

Steve
_________________
Google Pixel 4a 5G Handset
Sygic
CoPilot
Nissan Connect

Jammer · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 7:08 pm Post subject:

Steve, I started off wanting to buy the iPaq Nav 2 (an outdated system)... but thanks to your advice I'll go for the TTN3. (Hence my duplicate postings and I didn't know you had such a close knit community here!) Thanks for the advice on the SD cards.

I'll try not to make double/triple postings in future. Thumbs Up

_________________
iPaq 3870
Fortuna Clip On Bluetooth
Tomtom
London
Currently testing Fortuna to see if it's any good!

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