OT: GPS consideration

Alexz · Jan 16, 2006

Sorry posting OT, but it seems LF passion prescribes hiking and field navigation aside of cities driving.
I'll be considering a GPS device for city and out of tonw driving/routing as well be capable of reliable navigation in open fields (hiking for photo sessions).
I'm not sure whether PDA-based solution or dedicated handhald GPS device are most appropriate, but would be glad to hear your opinions/experiences.
So far I don't own a PDA (neither planned to acquire one since don't really need it), but may consider as a possible GPS solution.

Thanks in advance, Alex

argus · Jan 16, 2006

I'd suggest a GPS with an individual antenna, i.e. not built in into the device.
Reception in woods and mountain terrain will be better.

Since my GPS doesn't feature city maps, I can't help you on that one. I use an old Garmin GPS 3+ and it suits me fine.

G

Alexz · Jan 16, 2006

Thanks.
I think I woudl rather consider two possible solutions: either a dedicated handheld GPS device capable of in-car mounting and navigation or a PDA with bluetooth capabilities with external GPS reciever (interfaced through bluetooth) that also mustbe able to be utilized for in-car driving navigation and powered by car's 12V source.
The question is which of these is better in terms of price/performance given today's technology...

argus said:
I'd suggest a GPS with an individual antenna, i.e. not built in into the device.
Reception in woods and mountain terrain will be better.

Since my GPS doesn't feature city maps, I can't help you on that one. I use an old Garmin GPS 3+ and it suits me fine.

G

Dan Fromm · Jan 16, 2006

In '95 I bought a Garmin GPS 45 for use on field trips. Map coordinates are much better for locality data than odometer readings or directions like "two hours walk inland from Tarapoto village." I also used it in my car as a speedometer. The 45 has no mapping capability, so its useless for finding street addresses and the like.

After my car, with the 45 in it, was stolen I replaced the GPS with a Garmin GPS V. Its very useful for finding addresses, a little clumsy for following routes. All this subject to the considerable frailties of digitized maps. The GPS V's biggest drawback, IMO, is limited memory. When I replace it, I'll try to get a unit that can hold at least a couple of states, ideally the whole country, of detailed routable maps. This may mean a unit with a hard drive.

Since you're in Israel, Alex, I think you'd do well to find out which GPS manufacturers offer the maps you need. One of the things I don't like about Garmin's maps is that they have very poor maps of Mexico.

Alexz · Jan 16, 2006

Thank you Dan, this is one of the issues I'l have to get acquinted with. Does every GPS unit manufacturer offers his own maps and maps from others will not be compatible with the GPS device of the particular manufacturer ?
What are the benefits of GPS reciever + bluetooth-capable PDA combo against a dedicated handheld device ?

argus · Jan 16, 2006

Alexz said:
What are the benefits of GPS reciever + bluetooth-capable PDA combo against a dedicated handheld device ?

You can keep your exposure notes on the PDA + all other benefits of it.

G

Alexz · Jan 16, 2006

Oh well, indeed. This is a good reason + probably the ability to store the other photo-related conditions...
But shouldn't I expect the Bluetooth PDA + separate (bluetooth interfaced) receiver module be weaker then a dedicated handheld device ? Also, are PDA-based solutions as useful for car navigation as a handheld devices ? (perhals aside of voice guiding..)

Lee L · Jan 16, 2006

One place to start finding out about GPS and mapping is Peter Bennett's page:
http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter/
Poke around there and on the links, and you can learn a lot.

I have a Garmin GPS II+ and recently got a Garmin GPS V. I haven't had time to play with the new one yet. Both have external interfaces and external antennae. With a Delorme product for the Palm IIIxe (and other Palm OS PDAs) I have been able to display maps and do real time map tracking on the Palm with info fed from the GPS II+, which doesn't have built in maps. I also really like Oziexplorer (on a windows computer) for mapping and transferring waypoints back and forth between maps. You can calibrate any image as a map in Oziexplorer and use several standard formats, including USGS digitized quads to locate and transfer waypoints or routes to the Garmin and other brand units.

The Garmin V (perhaps recently discontinued?) has built in and uploadable maps, but I haven't booted in Windows long enough lately to mess with getting the computer to GPS map transfer set up. For some strange registry reasons Windows XP wasn't playing nice with the Garmin V software and it didn't work on first install or the first troubleshooting. (One of the reasons I've moved to Linux for 99.99% of my computing.)

Lee

Lee L · Jan 16, 2006

Alexz said:
Also, are PDA-based solutions as useful for car navigation as a handheld devices ? (perhals aside of voice guiding..)

I liked using a Garmin GPS II+ (no maps) and Delorme Street Pilot to provide real time maps and tracking on the PDA. I'd put the GPS and a Palm IIIxe on a custom holder on the center of the dash with the Palm angled for easy reading. An external amplified patch antenna went on the dash near the window or magnet mounted on the roof.

A heads-up display would be better, and I have an acquaintance who designs those for the Cobra and Apache choppers, but I haven't gotten around to asking him for a price on one for the car.

Lee

Bob F. · Jan 16, 2006

Be aware that PDA + GPS adaptor can mean very short battery life between charges. Have a look at http://www.pocketgps.co.uk - lots of reviews etc.

Cheers, Bob.

Pinholemaster · Jan 16, 2006

I LOVE my Garmin iQue3600. Can take an external antenna. Very detailed maps. Can load Topo maps into memory. Very very easy to use. Required a Windows computer to load maps, though. The PDA side of the GPS will sync with a Macintosh. Still haven't gotten VirtualPC running WindowsXP to work, so I use a cheap Dell laptop to work the maps.

Dan Fromm · Jan 16, 2006

Alexz said:
Thank you Dan, this is one of the issues I'l have to get acquinted with. Does every GPS unit manufacturer offers his own maps and maps from others will not be compatible with the GPS device of the particular manufacturer ?
What are the benefits of GPS reciever + bluetooth-capable PDA combo against a dedicated handheld device ?

Yes, AFAIK they're all proprietary. So the first question for you should be which manufacturer has good maps of the area of interest to you.

Alexz · Jan 16, 2006

So far it seems I'll be leaning towards PDA + bluetooth GPS solution...

johnnywalker · Jan 16, 2006

I have a Garmin Etrex Legend. Cost is around US$225. It comes with a reasonable map, but for another US$125 you can buy a more detailed downloadable map. It has everything one could possibly need, and lots of memory for waypoints, tracks, routes etc. It will work in your car by putting it on the dashboard near a window. I use a piece of velcro to keep it from sliding around. I think you can buy an external arial, but I've never found the need. I use mine mainly for work, and it really is a Godsend, especially for directionally-challenged foresters.

Lee L · Jan 16, 2006

Bob F. said:
Be aware that PDA + GPS adaptor can mean very short battery life between charges. Have a look at http://www.pocketgps.co.uk - lots of reviews etc.

Cheers, Bob.

Very true, which is why my setup was all run off 12VDC fed from the car battery.

Lee

Nige · Jan 16, 2006

I have a very old Lowrance GPS, which I've used for fishing (original reason for purchase) and Geocaching. I've never seen a PDA + GPS solution in action but I wonder what it would be like out in the field. Normal handheld GPS units are somewhat tougher (and smaller, lighter) than any PDA I've seen, some can be water-resistant to the point of being able to be dropped in water for a few minutes. For it to work you generally have to have it out so it can 'see' the sky, which means carrying it in your hand, or fastened to your arm. For navigating routes in the car, a big screen is probably desired, fixed in a postition you can read it easily.

If I was wanting to do this, I think for the price of a small handheld GPS, I'd buy both... a dedicated in car system, and a basic handheld for navigating by foot.

markbb · Jan 17, 2006

GPS devices are very helpful, but don't assume they replace the ability to use a map and compass. Take both.

BruceN · Jan 17, 2006

I also use the etrex Legend, with the Roads and Rec map CD. This gives me exactly what I need for my work and for roaming the backroads looking for photos. It's also perfect for hiking and backpacking. It is waterproof, weighs only 6 ounces and will run for over 24 hours on a pair of AA's. The new Garmin GPSmap 60CS is nicer, with a better antenna, a larger color screen and more memory, but I haven't seen enough reason to put out the $350 to upgrade when mine works just fine. Ditto what markbb said - you still need your map and compass, too.

Bruce

Scott-Tx · Jan 17, 2006

another nod to the etrex vista and roads & rec maps. that's the set-up i use and find it INVALUABLE when out hiking. i use it in the car by laying it on the dash. in both cases, it is extremely helpful. the routes feature has gotten me back to my vehicle safely a few times when had i been without it i would have been in some trouble!

OT: GPS consideration

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