PDA v Stand Alone

[jackn]

I'm new to GPS/Sat Nav. What's the advantage (if any) of a dedicated unit e.g. Garmin Quest, Navman 520 et al over a PDA e.g. Navman Pin 570.

At first glance the PDA is just as good and more versatile. Plus, the portrait format seems more logical than the landscape format to use as a navigating tool.

[Donald]

[jackn]

Thank you for the swift reply.

Confused? I am.

I want a GPS unit especially for use on my motorcycle trips. I'd narrowed my selection down to the Navman iCN520 (Garmin Quest too small a screen).

But then I discovered the Navman PIN 300 and my certainty evaporated.

Like I said previously the format more closely matches that of conventional road maps (e,g, AA road atlas). The 'extra' PC features are useful but not essential for me. I would be very interested in the digital photo' viewing aspect but I doubt that the Navman accepts CompactFlash cards.

Basically I need to decide which is the best deal for me. Dedicated GPS 520 or jack of all trades navman (or similar) PDa with GPS?

[KW]

For your information.

The NAvman Pin 300 is an overpriced Yakumo Delta 300 or Mitac 168.

The machines are 100% identical.

Now, I like the 168/Delta 300, I think they're extremely well build and represent good value, but once Navman puts their sticker on it, I'm not so sure anymore.

So if you're charmed by the Pin300, take a look if you can't find a cheaper solution by going for the Yakumo 300 or the Mitac 168, because you're buying exactly the same device at a better price then.

The biggest advantage of a PDA is this one :

no software is flawless. Tomorrow, who knows, Destinator comes up with a new "I'll blow you all away" version, or Tomtom produces "TT5 Super" or something. With a PDA, you have total freedom over the software you'll be running tomorrow. Don't like what you get ? Just choose another software package.
With a dedicated GPS, you're at the mercy of a SINGLE company who will decide how and in what manner you'll receive support over the years to come.

I mean, I see so many people complaining about the oddities of their fixed car GPS systems, and that's about the same problem. I've got two cars : one comes with a build-in Blaupunkt based GPS system, the other one just uses Tomtom 5 on a regular PDA. Hey, I can tell you, I'll take the Tomtom 5 solution any day.

[alix776]

the main advangtage of the pda system is that you can change software very easily with a go or icn etc your stuck with the software thats on there
_________________
currently using aponia truck navigation on windows phone. Good bye IOS don't let the door hit you on the way out .

Oh the joys of being a courier.
device Lumia 950 xl

[neil01]

Sometimes, the reason for a persons choice might not be 'obvious' as you might think.

For example, one of the reasons which made me discount the TomTom Go products was the shape. They are not the easiest to fit into a jacket pocket - but in a bag/briefcase, the chunkiness would probably not be a problem. Also, leaving it with a vehicle and on display is not really a good idea - so how easy is your chosen solution to remove?

I would also be inclined to look at what mounts are available, and how they would fit in/on your vehicle. Many users rapidly become dissatisfied with the 'universal one size fits all' options.

You may also need to take you car's windscreen into account - some types block the GPS signal - while external arials are often available, will you be happy with how they fit - I wasn't. This may lead you down the remote Bluetooth receiver which can probably be placed anywhere in the car where you can get a good signal - but there again would you want to provide a power supply to it?

Really, I am just trying to highlight, that while there are obvious technical merits of one solution over another, sometimes other factors can make the choice a 'worse' choice than something which may tecnically be slightly inferior.

[KW]

True.

Keep in mind though, and I'm ignorant to just HOW these people do it, but the Yakumo series (Delta and Alpha) as well as the Acer N35's have little to no trouble at all with shielded windshields.

The chunkyness of the "Go" is a good point : you won't like being seen walking around with that thing in your pants. So you'll probably end up tossing it in your booth. And here's the crux : after 2 hours of walking in an unknown city, the question pops up "where the heck did I leave my car". And your GPS system which you found too clumsy to take along with you will be of no help at all.

A more serious note though : at work, we've got 3 cars equiped with a "Go". The main problem turns out to be that if you don't remove it from the windscreen in the summer, the damned things will refuse to boot : it's as if they are overheating which, considering the temperatures in a closed car in full sunlight is not totally impossible.

[george_mich]

You would rather buy a Navman PIN 570 than PIN 300, PIN 570 comes with the latest Smart ST 2005 software and new teleatlas maps. Regarding photo viewing the PIN 570 can take SD cards and Multimedia cards, you may want to check out ttp://www.e-bowl.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4564

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