GPS Navagation

[DWendt]

I'm cosidering putting in a GPS Navagation system in my truck. I am looking at the ones that use a laptop for display and map software. The one that I like is the TripNav 204. If you are using a GPS system I would like to know the good points you have found and also the unit's weak points.

Thanks

Derek

 

[RJOL]

My wife has the Garmin IQ3600, and I have both a Palm Zire 71 with a gps add-on, and a laptop.



I use Street Atlas 2004 for the laptop and the Zire. In my opinion, the Zire 71 is not very good for this purpose, The IQ3600 works better, and the laptop works the best (larger display, more memory). You have to load the maps you want to use on all of these devices, but it is doable, with a little practice.



I'd recommend the laptop for serious mapping. The bigger screen helps a lot. By the way... Don't try to use these by yourself while your driving. It's a lot worse then using a cell phone and will distract you, if your trying to figure out where your going while on the move. Have fun...

 

[Pawpaw]

There were two very good threads on this subject in the last week or two.



Do one search on "Delorme" and another on "GPS".

 

[Bob Fennema]

I have a MOPAR RB1 that I bought on E-bay for $750. I love it and now I have a RAZ radio to sell.



Bob Fennema

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

LAPTOP THREAD

Originally posted by ToolManTimTaylor

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=96144

 

[Pawpaw]

Thanks Tim. That search on "Delorme" wouldn't have done much good, huh?

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

LOL took me a sec to catch the in what you meant ... then I looked at the manual and saw DeLorme LOL! I just happened to look over and see that sitting there.

 

[Pawpaw]

The silly thing is that "Delorme" is a name most of us should recognize, but almost no one does.



Ever been in a truck stop and see a stand with big red atlasses that say, "[insert state here] Atlas and Gazeteer"? That's Delorme. They've been around for a long, long time.

 

[XJSuperman]

A lot of the handheld GPS can be run to a laptop OR home PC. They use a serial port or USB cable... AND you can hook the laptop to it while in the vehivle... if you leave the vehicle BUT still want the GPS (like on an ATV, motorcycle, boat, or hiking) just unplug it from the laptop and bring it with you.



The DeLorme 'earthmate' is a nice piece... but unless you want to carry it and your laptop with you anytime you want GPS outisde of your vehicle. . it's a pain.

 

[BadDNA]

I've had a Palm M130 with a Navman GPS for a while using DeLorme Street Atlas 2003 and X-Map Handheld, that works great while on foot or bicycle but I found the refresh to be too slow to be useful on the road. I recently bought the Earthmate receiver and plan on mounting a laptop in the truck to use with it. Between the two, if I carry a hotsynch cable with me, I can get to just about anywhere. Next step I think will be the Topo software from DeLorme so I can load up trails.

 

[RJOL]

Originally posted by XJSuperman

... The DeLorme 'earthmate' is a nice piece... but unless you want to carry it and your laptop with you anytime you want GPS outisde of your vehicle. . it's a pain.

The Earthmate can be attached to most newer Palms, using an adapter, but you need a power supply (12V in the car, or a battery pack while hiking, etc... )... .

 

[XJSuperman]

Right... but why carry 2 pieces of equipment(granted the earthmate is little) when you can get one for less $$. The Earthmate (if memory serves) is about $100. A decent palm will run you around $100. That's $200(minimum) and 2 things to carry... PLUS a cable.



A handheld GPS unit is selfcontained... usually has a larger screen than any Palm does AND can be had for well under $200.

Run it to your laptop in the truck and have it by itself when you leave the truck.

Just my opinion but seems to me a decent handheld is the way to go... hands down.

 

[Pawpaw]

I've been using the Delorme receivers (first the Tripmate, then two versions of the Earthmate) along with the Streets Atlas USA laptop software for several years.



I agree, trying to use that setup outside a vehicle would be a royal pain. Streets Atlas will work with almost any handheld GPS unit as long as it has a serial cable and (in some cases) can be put into NMEA mode.



For those that would like to use the Earthmate with a handheld, that can be done wirelessly. If your handheald has bluetooth, Delorme makes a battery/bluetooth dock for the Earthmate. You could always attach those to your hat.



For me, I have never felt the need for a GPS outside my vehicle. My job takes me all over the country and it sure is reassuring to know exactly where you are and that you're on the right track.