GPS Advice required

[Piston Broke]

I am hoping that there are some techies on here who may be able to assist.

I have a Dell Axim X50 pocket computer, and I am looking into purchasing a GPS kit for it. Dell offer one at around £160.00.

I have see others offered on eBay for far less, however I am unsure what is the most competitive system to have and how they compare with the Dell system.

Does anyone have any experience of these?

Thanks

[jjsaul]

I bought a Medion PPC and GPS kit in aldi last year. Other than a slightly dodgy cable which needs waggling sometimes i havnt had any problems with it.

Unfortunately i can't offer you any advice on the Dell one as i have no experience with that model.

[Spanish Bob]

Sorry PB,

Ive always used dedicated Garmin GPS units on 2 and 4 wheels. I would recomend you try some of the online forums such as gpsworld.com or gpsinformation.net. Also I´d have a look at the forums at oziexplorer.

Enjoy your new toy!!!!

bob

[Piston Broke]

Thanks for the replies.

There just seems to be too many systems on the market at presnet, and I don't want to buy a lemon.

I will try the links, thanks Bob

[Paul Humphreys]

If it is bluetooth compatable then just get a bluetooth gps reciver for about £35. Just make sure you get one that will recive at least 12 sats. Software can be downloaded fron the right web sites for free of get Memory Map.

Paul

[Piston Broke]

Thanks for that.

It does have bluetooth capability.

However I am even more confused now, as a quick search on ebay shows dozens of different types.

Can you recommend a particular model?

[Paul Humphreys]

Not off of my head sorry, just get one from a good seller and make sure it has a car charger.

Paul

[nickgriff]

I use to us GPS systems at sea. They all did the same thing, ie track satelites. The only difference is the software they use. All GPS systems have to be able to track the same satelites, so nothing different there. The more satelites they can track the better. If I were you I would check how good the software is, ie how user friendly it is, how many functions do you get (not that you will ever use them all!!), how easy is it to update etc.
At the end of the day, you are in your car trying not to get lost. If you were in the middle of the Atlantic then perhaps look into it more.

If you are happy with the DELL system you have, then go for the GPS system. Afteral DELL's afterservice is good (well for me anyway) and they are continually upgrading their software systems etc so stick with the devil you know!!

[DEANO3528]

Right while on the subject:
The way I see it, gps enbled software whether Autoroute, Mappoint or memory map requires an aerial.
Am I right in thinking that by plugging my Magellan MAP330 into a laptop the loaded software will then use the 330's aerial or is it more complex than that?

[Mogwyth]

Hi Deano

My bluetooth unit has no ariel as such it's just a box about the size of a large matchbox, so I would imagine your's 'll work fine.

[DEANO3528]

Oh ok well that's good news. Makes a change to having to spend and then spend yet again :)

[DavejDavies]

I have a Dell Axim X50 pocket computer, and I am looking into purchasing a GPS kit for it. Dell offer one at around £160.00.


We use the oringinal Dell Axims in the office purely as a PDAs but one of the lads did buy a gps receiver off ebay - cost £40 inc delivery - 'mouse' type receiver and car charger kit - he uses it with TomTom - borrowed it a few times and (for the money) its very impressive.

TomTom is on a 512 SD card which he slips in when required - great for roads and even shows a few forest tracks.

Good thing about the mouse type receivers is they also work with his laptop :) bad thing he needs 12v supply :(

You can get closer fitting gps (mobile) receivers but cost is greater and battery life on the (old) Axims isn't great at the best of times...

Hope this helps

[Piston Broke]

Thanks for that.

I bought the Axim mainly to pick up emails etc. when in the US. I lugged my laptop last time and it was a bit of a pain carrying it with the other hand luggage.

It was when I looked for accesories, I noticed that a GPS kit was available.

I may wait until I am in the US in the next few weeks to compare prices.

Are there any shops which sell this sort of equipment, where I could get advise over the counter?

[jjsaul]

I've also just bought one of these off a mate - an Inforad
http://www.gpsinforad.co.uk/car/

It is a GPS camera detector but also works as a normal GPS antenna for use with a laptop etc (simultaneously as well :) )

For what it cost me i thought i might as well have that as buy a standard GPS receiver.

[Stephen]

It is a GPS camera detector but also works as a normal GPS antenna for use with a laptop etc (simultaneously as well :) )

hah, was behind a car that had one of those on the dash, wondered what it was.

I got the speed camera database loaded into tomtom, updates on the website monthly I think.