DeLorme Bluetooth Earthmate GPS

[Ken Wyatt]

DeLorme recently announced their new Earthmate GPS with optional Bluetooth cradle/battery pack. I've got it on order and will let write a review once I get a little 'stick time" with the unit.

www.delorme.com

Ken

[scarbouc]

It works awesome! I use it in conjuction with Mapopolis Navigator and it has brought driving to a whole new dimension! The accuracy is great and it really is pretty small considering what it has in it. Delorme has stated that the battery lasts about 7 hours. But the Clie on the other hand only lasts about 1 hour with Bluetooth and Navigator running. I went and bought the car charger so I could take it on the road with me!! I was a little upset by how long it took them to develop it - I was looking at it back in Jun and was one of the first to get it. They originally said it would have solar recharge capability but changed that as time went on. They did admit it would be available later. I got the PC software with it and returned it because it sucked. Chose not to get their Palm software because nothing beats Mapopolis for on the fly map useage. Everybody else still makes you plan your trip ahead of time and d/l it to your palm. I like how Mapopolis allows me to save stuff on a memory stick and load maps as I need them. Also I figured out you can load you maps into internal memory and it thinks that the internal memory is part of RAM and treats it like that! So that gives even more memory....

scarbouc

[Ken Wyatt]

Sure glad to hear the DeLorme GPS works OK with the UX50 (after spending $$$ on it sight unseen)!

So what differentiates Mapopolis from DeLorme's mapping software? I.e., what are the pluses/minuses, of each?

Thanks, Ken

[scarbouc]

Dunno never used DeLorme but the description and the playing around I did with the PC Version - Street Atlas - indicates you need to plan a trip. Select a zoom level and copy maps to your PDA. Yuck!! Although I saw somewhere it can do maps on the fly - but who knows?? What if I change where I'm going or need on the fly!! I think there is a thread out there about Mapopolis - beware the MUST USE SEARCH police!!
You can download navigator for free. The maps are what you pay for. You can d/l demo maps and pay for only the maps you want or buy a map pack like I did. $99 for Canada and USA - not bad considering all the features and the accuracy.
You'll like the GPS - comes with a house and car charger!! Good thinking on their part!!

[Porter]

I am surprised to learn that the delorme handheld software does not generate turn by turn routes on the fly or do voice prompts for palm os devices. Does mapopolis support landscape mode?

[fearlessfozz]

Just to let you know, Yes you can create turn by turn routes right on your handheld with delorme. You ever use the desktop version??? Its just like that, choose a start and a stop, an few destinations inbetween and boom it does it for you. You can search addresses and includes phone numbers to call ahead and has many many many many points of interest on the maps. And this is only the $30 2003 edition software for the handheld. They have a 2004 out with a lot more.

[Porter]

Excellent! Glad to hear it. I would much rather pay the $39 for the 2004 edition of the delorme software that is intended for use with the earthmate than pay $100 for mapopolis. I'm sure mapopolis is good, but the price is a bit high. You can the earthmate, the bluetooth backpack and the software from delorme's site for $289 i believe. That is a good price.

[scarbouc]

Sure you might be able to do door to door directions with Delorme but you stil have to pick which maps you want to use. With Mapopolis you can put maps county by county on your memorystick. And yes it does support Landscape. In fact they took the advice from folks here on Cliesource and worked a fix just for us! You really have to d/l it to see what I mean.

[BalBurgh]

I'm a big DeLormie but have to say it's slow on the Clie. Speed is a big issue and if Mapopolis works faster I'd have to give it a try- particularly if their mapset includes Canada.

If someone can come up with a set for Mexico as well that would be totally killer.

[c0mm0n]

I'm about to get it too, i was interested by the teletype model which is tiny and has the same chipset - www.teletype.com - for quite the same price ;

Has mapopolis vocal messages ?

I hope mapsonic some day release us maps as it's really close from pda reference tomtom and is still getting better and better

[scarbouc]

It works real fast. And here's a cool trick. With my SJ33 I was always running out of RAM with the maps. With the UX I put Mapopolis and the voice program as well as the maps in internal memory. It works flawlessly! It thinks it is RAM for other stuff and even stores the preferences and current state files there! True it does take a little longer to start but I can handle that since it saves my RAM - I have found it still is limited by the RAM but I haven't played with that enough to figure out what my limitations are. Here's what I do...

For a long trip:
Load the county I start with and load the MAJORROAD maps (they just cover the highways) and then the county I end in. Then I get door to door directions. I can do that on the fly! I can have all of the county maps for a state I might stop in and load those realtime. If you don't know what county you're in you search for the city and zoom to it. Select icons around it until you find the county icon. That county icon is the one to load and get detailed maps for that are. I also bought the place guide. The place guide are detailed businesses and phone numbers for everything on the map. That can be searched for by type, name, etc.
If you are confused read the manual http://64.208.105.215/MapopolisNavigator1.pdf - its very good!

In town:
I keep the local area in my internal memory. If I need to go somewhere I just pull out my DeLorme from the glovebaox, set it up and Navigate! It has helped me so much! It will tell you where to turn and if you miss it, it will recalculate a different route or get you back to your route - whichever is faster!

I love the product and I've been corresponding with tech support to ask questions. They are very responsive! They are very aware of the UX and widescreen unique requirements and are working fixes as we speak to make it better! The maps are based on Navtech which is the same database that they put in built in car GPSes!!! It is very accurate and even has my road where I live! Brand new development! You can even add your own points in case you want say your house in the map. It will add that to your address book with a LAT/LONG as the custom 1 field!!

Try it - what do you have to lose? The program is free. The demo maps can be downloaded (with an expiration date) and it has full useability!

Enjoy!

scarbouc

[scarbouc]

Yes Mapopolis has an option for full, minimal, or no voice promts

[scarbouc]

BTW c0mm0n they have maps of Europe!

[c0mm0n]

i know scarbouc and i've tested mapopolis but at no point it does compare with mapsonic...which seems generations further ;

[scarbouc]

And if you don't want the naviagational support (I don't know why) they have a Platinum version which still gives door-to-door directions for about $35. Canada and US about $99, Western Europe $125. Or individual counties $10. I think the map pack is the best deal!

[scarbouc]

ok. I've never tried mapsonic but I really dig the tech support at Mapopolis and the innovations they have done and will do. Its a personal thing I think. They quoted to me how the folks here at Cliesource petitioned them rather heavily to fix it for landscape support and BAM they took care of it!

[scarbouc]

And I think they have a new version coming out soon...

BTW you can also d/l maps on the fly with a wireless connection..

[c0mm0n]

i'll keep you updated when mapsonic with ux support is relesased, and will invite you to test it. Y may then start a petition to gain us maps :p

[Ken Wyatt]

OK, I noticed Delorme had recently posted general instructions for connecting the BT PowerPack to various computers, Palm, included. They suggest that, although, not required, you can register the Powerpack as a trusted device by using the passkey "0000".

This worked OK, getting me past that point. However, it goes on to say, in effect: "launch Street Atlas 2004 Handheld", select the GPS tab; then Settings from the dropdown, then select DeLorme Earthmate and Bluetooth port from the dropdowns. Then select the GPS tab and then select "connect".

I just get the following message:

"An error occurred when trying to initiate a connection to the GPS. Reset your PDA and try again."

I tried resetting the UX-50, but no luck getting a connection.

If anyone has succeeded in getting this to work, I'd appreciate getting walked through the process.

Ken

[duraace]

Those who have the Earthmate® GPS Bluetooth PowerPack bundle, whould you recommend getting it with or without their software (i.e. get mapopolis instead?) Also, any considerations for those who live and travel in Canada?

[Ken Wyatt]

Just got mine going with Street Atlas 2004 Handheld, so can't really comment on Mapopolis yet. I plan to try both on a trip tomorrow, though.

By the way, with the help of DeLorme tech support, I got the two talking together via BT. When you go to Settings, there was a -second- "Bluetooth" choice in the dropdown. The support guy said that often it's the bottom one you want to select to achieve communications. Now they're talking!

Ken

[duraace]

Pretty pricey for something that will primarily be of play value for me, so the quality of the software in the Vancouver/B.C. area is of primary importance. Steet Atlas 2004 only provides major highway support at this time, and that is of minimal use to me.

[Give Me My UX50]

Originally posted by duraace
Those who have the Earthmate® GPS Bluetooth PowerPack bundle, whould you recommend getting it with or without their software (i.e. get mapopolis instead?) Also, any considerations for those who live and travel in Canada?

Don't waste your money!  The Delorme Street Atlas 2003 Handheld software is CRAP. You have to make your own map, and download it to your device, which in the case of long trips, can be a ridiculously large file and takes forever to complete.  Mapopolis works GREAT with the Delorme BT, though, and is much simpler and more robust to use. 

For those of you that don't know, there is a GPS-enabled downloadable version of the Mapopolis software available for $44.00 at Handango.  They are the only ones that carry the downloadable version, otherwise you can buy the CD from Mapopolis.  If you don't need the voice (like I don't), why spend $99 for essentially the same thing?

Gimme

[scarbouc]

Mapopolis is downloadable from there site. If you buy the map pack it allows you to download for 1 year

[Give Me My UX50]

Not the GPS-enabled Platinum (Platinum +) via download.  You can only download the non-GPS enabled Platinum edition or the $99 Navigator maps.  The only place to get the $44 download of the Platinum + (GPS) is Handango.

Gimme

[scarbouc]

The platinum with GPS is included with navigator maps.  They upgraded the maps - make sure you are getting the most recent maps.  Make sure they are NC.

[NZAddict]

Originally posted by Give Me My UX50


Don't waste your money!  The Delorme Street Atlas 2003 Handheld software is CRAP. You have to make your own map, and download it to your device, which in the case of long trips, can be a ridiculously large file and takes forever to complete.  Mapopolis works GREAT with the Delorme BT, though, and is much simpler and more robust to use. 

For those of you that don't know, there is a GPS-enabled downloadable version of the Mapopolis software available for $44.00 at Handango.  They are the only ones that carry the downloadable version, otherwise you can buy the CD from Mapopolis.  If you don't need the voice (like I don't), why spend $99 for essentially the same thing?

Gimme

Can't comment on Mapopolis, I've never used it. But some of the comments on the Delorme Street Atlas software for palm handhelds doesn't match up with my experience at all.

I have the entire San Francisco bay area (approx 4 counties down to street level) loaded on my memory stick (approx 20 MB total). Five other maps (Modesto, Sacramento, Napa/Solano Counties, etc) take up about 10 MB combined. All the maps load in under 5 seconds on my NZ90. The program also recognizes movement from one map to another and loads that map automatically. I haven't found it slow at all and once you have saved maps to your PC it is a matter of seconds to shoot a new city onto your memory stick. Saving the maps from PC also takes less than a minute even at the neighborhood street level. Address to address routing (via street directions or GPS) can be done on the handheld (the initial plotting on PDA can be sluggish, better done ahead of time on the PC and exported if possible).

Maybe some people's experiences were with a prior version of Street Atlas. I'm using the 2004 version and very happy with it. The GPS tracking works great.

[Ken Wyatt]

Well,

I had a chance to check out the DeLorme Earthmate with BT adapter with my UX50 on a trip from Colorado to California during the holidays.

Hate to throw cold water on the above, but compared to a dedicated GPS, generally the use of a GPS module with a a PDA - while certainly an appearance of "coolness" - just ain't worth the effort.

In fact, it's difficult to think of any positive features of the above, but maybe some of you can convince me to keep this setup.

Some of the major negatives:

While the Earthmate claims a 7-hour battery life with BT adapter and lithium battery, our travels were more than that - thus, I had to add the charging cable (cable #1).

A bigger negative - the UX50 battery lasts about an hour when BT is enabled (standard battery). Even with the extended battery, we're maybe talking a couple hours of life. Thus, we need to dock the Clie and run another charging cable (cable #2).

If the BT connection is lost then re-established, the GPS fails to reaquire satellites and you have to manually re-establish the connection.

My Garmin GPS III+ seems more accurate. The Earthmate with SA 2004 HH was a quarter mile off in one section of highway I travel daily.

Mapping software: I tried both Street Atlas 2004 Handheld (plus Street Atlas 2004 classic) and Mapopolis. There are numerous nits about both packages. Both require downloading map segments into the Clie, something I don't need to do with the Garmin GPS. SA 2004 on the PDA scrolls the GPS position, rather than the map. This can cause missed turns as the map jumps every quarter screen. The mapping info is hard to read on the screen, especially in bright daylight. There's minor issues and quirks with both software packages I won't bother to mention.

The combination of Earthmate and BT/battery cradle is physically near the same size as my Garmin GPS III+. Add the PDA and two charging cables/plugs, and I have to ask myself, "now why is this a better solution?"

I -do- like the SA 2004 software when used with a laptop. Searching is quick and I like the ability to print out sections of maps. As far as routing - at least for longer trips - I'll just stick with AAA TripTiks - no batteries needed!

For those who require address-to-address routing, nothing will outperform the Garmin Street Pilot or equivalent Magellan GPS's.

To sum up: The dedicated GPS III+ has better screen contrast for daylight use, better screen contrast, built in mapping software showing most of the features as in the packages by DeLorme and Mapopolis, and tremendous battery life. It also acquires faster and shows much more information. Guess the Earthmate goes back to DeLorme...

Ken

[duraace]

Thanks. Very usefull feedback.

[NZAddict]

Well obviously a dedicated GPS device will out perform the Clie paired with a bluetooth GPS receiver. But since this is a Clie forum and not a GPS forum, I'm kinda assuming people are here because they are looking for a solution involving their PDA and not some stand alone GPS solution.

As for taking over a seven hour trip.... uh.... yeah, you might expect to need something other than internal battery power. Hopefully, most here aren't doing that on a regular basis. If you are, invest in a $1,000 dedicated GPS. Having the Clie already, I laid out an additional $275 combined for the GPS receiver, the Street Atlas for Handhelds software, and the bluetooth powerpack. It is more than adequate for my 3-4 hours driving around the San Francisco area. Plus, I have the option of using the Delorme with my clie, my laptop (with voice navigation), or the next bluetooth device I upgrade to. Get something dedicated and that's what you have for good.

Losing satellite connection does happen periodically, however, the GPS receiver reaquires quickly 90% of the time and certainly tries to reaquire for a v e r y long time before giving up and dropping the bluetooth connection. Needing to ask it to reconnect to the Clie is pretty infrequent and only involves two taps on the screen.

The Clie NZ90 battery life is a known and well documented weakness of the product. You will want a lighter power source. I can't argue that point. However, I got one of those for $10 long before I started using it with GPS.

[Ken Wyatt]

{NZAddict}: Hey, I'm happy the PDA/GPS solution is working out for you! No argument that it should work out well for localized, short-term, use.

Regards, Ken

[mort]

When Scarbout says he loads the Mapopolis maps and words into internal memory, I still need to move it all to RAM to make it work. Or, is there a way to have everything run off of the internal memory? I can't figure it out - and 15 mg of memory only handles the words and one map for me!

[scarbouc]

Create a directory under aliasext say mapopolis, copy files and maps there. Soft reset. I have noticed I have to copy place guides under RAM for them to load... dunno why

1 map! where do you live in LA?? Most maps aren't that big!

[scarbouc]

mort
saw somewhere you ARE from LA! Try the int. mem thing. I tried loading up int. mem. and then loading up RAM - to see if I could break 16 meg limitation and it didn't work. But never tried anything else. I have almost all of my programs in int mem and have about 10meg free. Seems to me you should be able to load everything you can to int. mem. plus mapopolis and LA map. Keep the ram free just in case and see how that works. I'd be interested to see how it works - let us know!

good luck!

scarbouc

[mort]

Scarbouc - Los Angeles County is over 10 mg! I just did what you said, along with soft reset, and still nothing! Should the map show up under RAM when you go to maps??

[mort]

Are you saying I am still limited to running only 16 mg of maps at one time - regardless of what is held in internal memory? That doesn't fix my problem. I work in LA, live in Orange County, and can not run both at the same time - crud.
By the way - today LA weather is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[scarbouc]

not sure about the 16mg limit. never tested it too much but I know I was able to go past the 16 meg w/ on board programs plus the maps.

what i do is put the maps in int mem. pull up maps under ram and select load contiguous and it works.

i guess if you can load mapopolis you're cool. but sometimes when I mess around with the int mem feature and moving things around I have to delete everything under int mem. then I use filez and delete the filename with a star that's locked. Do a soft reset. make sure there are no mapopolis icons or anything resembling mapopolis under filez. Then.. recopy the mapopolis and words file plus maps into the mapopolis directory under aliasext - reset and then try it.

beyond that dunno. I guess you might just try a smaller map and make sure it works. if it does try LA. How much free RAM do you have after you moved all the applications to int mem?

good luck!

[bobidinc]

i am having trouble getting the earthmate connecting with my Clie NX70V... I dont know if i have a conflict or what.. any ideas?
I tried Delorme service,, but they were pretty useless.

please help

[blktoptrvl]

Hello All,

New to this forum...

I have a Sony Projection TV, Laptop, and Camera, and now I am looking for a PDA.

I use my Delorme Earthmate (Street Atlas 2004) with my laptop to travel around the country. I find it impractical however to try to use this big screen while driving and I prefer not to try to adjust the GPS software while driving because I don't like reaching for the PC while motoring. Also, it takes so much room in the car.

I am sure you can see where I am going with this...

I have the bluetooth powerpack for the Earthmate (and the Street Atlas 2004 PDA software) and would like to know your opinions on using the UX50 while driving... My feeling is that is would be easy to pull it out of my pocket from time to time and look at it to see if I am on track (having the voice funtion would be better, but it is not available) - or I could just leave it open on the dash - if the screen is readable in direct sunlight. Any thoughts?

Am I right in what I have read here, that to use the UX50 on car power, I have to have the charging base in the car (as opposed to a simple powercord directly plugged into the PDA)?

Also, I have read that a few of you have issues with loading enough map onto the unit. If you have a 256M, 512M or 1Gig MagicGate does this solve the problem of loading enough maps? Or can the Street Atlas software not support these memory sticks?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[ksjenkins]

scarbouc & mort. Try parcing your maps up a little more. I have from Ft. Collins, CO to Colorado Springs, CO (which includes all of the Denver Metro Area down to street level) in relatively small chunks (4~6MB). The SA2004 app is smart enough to pull the segment that it needs so that all the maps seem relatively seemless.

I've been using my Delorme BT GPS for about 4 months without a problem. Generating routes on the UX is slow! The maps as I'm sure with all e-maps are somewhat out of date. The SA2004 won't do any dynamic re-routing, if you miss a turn, your screwed and have to backtrack.

It would be really cool if Delorme came out with a BT Pack with some memory (2~4MB) so that you could run the GPS constantly and periodically check it with your UX. Then you UX could last all day without a problem.

Thanks for all the insight to the other software programs out there. Mapopolis looks good as well as Mapsonic (no US maps tho :( ) I've seen some action from TomTom, any info on that would be interesting.

[scarbouc]

Originally posted by blktoptrvl
I have the bluetooth powerpack for the Earthmate (and the Street Atlas 2004 PDA software) and would like to know your opinions on using the UX50 while driving... My feeling is that is would be easy to pull it out of my pocket from time to time and look at it to see if I am on track (having the voice funtion would be better, but it is not available) - or I could just leave it open on the dash - if the screen is readable in direct sunlight. Any thoughts?

Am I right in what I have read here, that to use the UX50 on car power, I have to have the charging base in the car (as opposed to a simple powercord directly plugged into the PDA)? 



I bought the extended batery and for most trips that does the trick as far as power to keep the bluetooth going.

But for long trips - haven't had one yet since I got the battery pack - I will probably use the cradle and plug in Sony's car adapter.  Simplest solution.  I have the Brando (do a search on Cliesource) cradle which will power the UX off of USB and I have a USB to car adapter...too many cables..plus I own the car adapter!  But yes you need the cradle and Sony's car adapter.  THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT SELL IT - look at the accesories

New version of MNav http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48164 has the ability to load off of int memory.  It will copy to RAM and offer to delete after leaving MNav.  Or if you leave MNav and maps in internal it will think it is in RAM.  Runs great from int mem and doesn't hurt your RAM space.  See above for my solution.

Sunlight hurts

Use Mapopolis!!

[scarbouc]

Originally posted by ksjenkins
scarbouc & mort. Try parcing your maps up a little more. I have from Ft. Collins, CO to Colorado Springs, CO (which includes all of the Denver Metro Area down to street level) in relatively small chunks (4~6MB). The SA2004 app is smart enough to pull the segment that it needs so that all the maps seem relatively seemless.

I've been using my Delorme BT GPS for about 4 months without a problem. Generating routes on the UX is slow! The maps as I'm sure with all e-maps are somewhat out of date. The SA2004 won't do any dynamic re-routing, if you miss a turn, your screwed and have to backtrack.

It would be really cool if Delorme came out with a BT Pack with some memory (2~4MB) so that you could run the GPS constantly and periodically check it with your UX. Then you UX could last all day without a problem.

Thanks for all the insight to the other software programs out there. Mapopolis looks good as well as Mapsonic (no US maps tho :( ) I've seen some action from TomTom, any info on that would be interesting.

What do you mean by parcing my maps out?  What are you using? 

Mapopolis just updated their maps and it now has POIs (points of interest) intergrated into the maps.  Their maps are based on latest NavTech info-same one used in dedicated car GPS.  Route generation on MNav is quick and smooth.  Plus the new version of MNav has a 3D option!

I'm very happy with the Delorme and with MNav!

[ksjenkins]

What I mean by parcing is instead of grabbing the whole LA area, grab a quarter of it, like this (NE LA=2.5MB, NW LA=2.5MB, SE LA=2.5MB, SW LA=2.5MB) I have about 8 maps for the whole Front Range of Colorado as well as the I-70 corridor to Beaver Creek. This way I have almost all of Colorado down to the street level. So when I need SE Denver Metro I can call it up. Or if I'm travelling across several maps the SA2004 pulls the appropriate map from the MS when I get there. :D

Thanks for the heads up for MNav (Mapopolis Navigator?) 3D I've been waiting for one of the big players to work that in to the Palm App. I'll be checking it out this weekend.:D