I can't figure out what I need to do GPS stuff

[misterdanny]

I have a Treo 680 (Palm OS 5). I've been researching about bluetooth GPS receivers different softwares blah blah blah.

While this isn't something I absolutely need, I just think it would be cool to try out, so I'm trying to not buy the most expensive stuff, but I want something that will work. I am hoping to spend $100ish or less. (blue tooth GPS receiver and software together) Of course this isn't a strict budget or anything, but being that I don't know anything about GPS navigation I am figuring I'm going to make a mistake on my first purchase so no point in going all out just yet.

It seems the big boy software of the GPS navigation industry is tomtom, but i think it is meant to only work in europe? the entire website just talks about europe maps, (I live in the US so I need North American maps). I'm not really picky about the software I want, I just want the kind that talks to you and such tells you when to turn, and with a display that shows the surrounding roads etc (i would assume most software has zoom in/out features). Because this is something I would use in my car the more simple the program the better (I don't really want to fiddle with my treo 680 while im driving), I'm not concerned that much about the price of the software as long as it isn't the kind that makes you pay money for each "trip" I want to just pay an upfront cost for the software and use it.

the GPS receiver I have my eyes set on is:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16858702003

but for no particular reasons other than there seem to be positive reviews out there saying it works well, and the fact that it is on new egg (I am about to buy some other stuff on new egg so I figure I can save on shipping if I buy this all from newegg). The thing is at this website: http://www.diginetlink.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ITREKM5PLUS
they are saying you shouldn't buy this product for Palm OS based devices. It doesn't say why, and I think it might just be a misprint on the website as there isn't anything anywhere else to indicate it's incompatibility with the Palm OS.

Anyways any advice, product suggestions, anything would be real helpful.

[braj]

Personally I'm waiting out the GPS thing until they either get really cheap for a portable self-contained quality unit.(Via michelin X-930 is already are down to $179 online!) (http://www.shopharmony.com/product.asp?file=PRICEGRABBER&i=VIAX930) The market is really competetive now and I'm sure we'll see a $99 device soon enough.

Right now I figure I can get a better GPS device than using a current Palm with some external GPS receiver. You are still looking at carrying around 2 separate items anyway. But if Palm were smart, something like this (http://www.pharosgps.com/gpsphone/) would be their next device.

[braj]

If that phone is anything like the new Nokia N95, then I hope Palm does not even look at it.

The Nokia downloads maps as you drive. Which is very costly, plus means you can not browse the map in advance :mad:

Whereas my Treo has the whole of Europe on it :)

Ah, it's preloaded with US and Canada, presumably on SD card. But I'm not really talking about that device, just the feature set: big screen, Wifi and Cel, GPS, fast processor. I think Palm is set to just the opposite though: smaller screen, no wifi, less usable without the Foleo add-on.

[misterdanny]

I'm looking to get this:
$100 -
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170116670344&ih=007&category=4668

Good price, the holux seems to be very common (though I think I read some things on google where holux GPS receiver would take >20 minutes to do locate itself in the world). The seller doesn't specify what mapping software he is talking about, and I'm assuming its just software with no maps? (being that the needed space is 1.2 mb), is it hard to find your own maps and load them? is saving the 60 bux to go with noname software worth it?

other things i'm considering are

$160 -
http://www.buygpsnow.com/emtac-navigation-software-version-3-0-emtac-mini-s3-bluetooth-gps-receiver-for-palm-pda-free-arkon-mount-746.aspx
(Haven't heard of this software and I can't seem to find any information about it, but it looks like you can get map updates for free and it only downloads maps when switching between states i believe?)

-or-
$160 -
http://www.buygpsnow.com/tomtom-navigator-6-us-canada-holux-m1000-32-channel-mtk-bluetooth-gps-receiver-m-1000-for-pocketpc-palm-nokia-and-smartphone-free-vent-mount-831.aspx
(which isn't listed as compatible with the treo 680, but I'm guessing they didn't update their store since the Palm patch for it)

Any thoughts?

[misterdanny]

ah ok, I think I'll just go with the EMTAC or TomTom packages from buygpsnow.com

I think i might choose the EMTAC becasue i THINK downloading maps is free/updating maps is free versus TomTom I think you need to rebuy the entire software package to get new maps? The only thing is that TomTom seems to be more popular so it might be easier to get help with it if I'm having trouble.

Has anyone here used EMTAC?

[misterdanny]

I think i might do this instead actually. the mount and GPS receiver in one gismo, so I I have less things to have floating around in my car....

http://www.semsons.com/emnav3wiseg2.html

theres a TomTom and EMTAC package which I still can't decide which software I should get.

[jamesgraylx]

HOLUX kicks *** - and dont mix the two - I have a powered mount with GPS but it sucks compared to my holux slim.

The all in one sits on my windscreen but i have a metal fine mesh on my windscreen top which blocks the signal.

the holux portable can still be powered by my arkon car mount but can move everywhere so better signal

Also I step out of the car I have 10 hours GPS signal from my pocket - tom tom on the move!

In the states check out mapopolis - cheap maps with free tryout, saved my *** in vancouver.

also holux NOT HOLOX any company thaty advertises the ability to track more satalites than any other SUCKS - there is only what 18 or something sattalites anyway - they are just cashing in on holux slim 236 which rocks

hope this helps

[ipmark]

There are definitely a couple of free mapping programs out there, and of course "free" copies of everything if you know where to look.

I use TomTom 6 on my TX personally. I like it, the maps are quite good and the functions are well laid out. There are a couple european quirks to it though such as giving directions in miles and YARDS (instead of feet) but otherwise its a great piece of software.

Mapopolis is good and a lot cheaper but I think they recently shut their doors though you can still find some of their stuff hosted.

Holux is a popular company, I sell f-tech solars just because of the long battery life (20-30 hours).

Regarding channels, take a look at the TTFF for the 16 channel gps chipset compared to the SiRFstarIII or MTK times and you'll notice a big difference. (ie 12 sec hot start vs <1sec hot start).

Also, there are currently 30 actively broadcasting gps satellites as of April 2007, with an expectation of more in the future. Why limit yourself with a 16 channel receiver? In addition, if you're living in the US you may want to find a receiver with WAAS enabled to increase your accuracy significantly.

I have general and specific GPS info at www.wheresmyblip.com