Anyone have experience with USB GPS receivers?

[src]

They're >$100 so I might buy one for an upcoming cross-country drive... opinions?

 

[BCYL]

Interested as well... The Microsoft Street & Trips w/ GPS bundle seems like a good deal...

 

[Raiden256]

seconded... anyone have any experience?

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: BCYL
Interested as well... The Microsoft Street & Trips w/ GPS bundle seems like a good deal...

i dont know how important this is to you, but my dad has that bundle and he says he wishes it would have voice navigation (meaning he wished that the software would speak out directions saying where to turn and such).

 

[SKORPI0]

Delorme Earthmate USB and Street Altas 2005.

I have this on my car with a Inspiron 8600. Gives me directions, voice prompt (ex. 1 mile to exit). If I miss a turn/exit, it updates and gives me new directions to bring me back on track. I used an earlier version (2002) for a trip from San Antonio, TX to Los Angeles, CA and back. It showed me where gas, food and hotels were available. Good for using if you're in unfamiliar area/place. Accurate within 30 feet. Overall I'm very satisfied.

 

[IBuyUFO]

I have the Delorme GPS receiver plus the Streets USA mapping software that came with it. The software does give directions using microsoft's speech program. It's kinda crappy because sometimes you don't understand what it's saying and it sounds too robotic. Since I wasn't too crazy about the software I went out and bought Microsoft's streets and trips 2005. It was on sale at costco for $5. Good thing about this software is there are a lot of points of interest. It also contains business addresses and phone numbers which is good when you need information. This was nice and all but I still was not satisfied with the package since it did not say the directions but it's nice if you don't mind that. So I searched and found another software package that met my needs basically it told me where to go without me having to look down at the laptop. That software was iguidance v2.1. It's a great package that supports gps receivers that supports the NMEA protocol using serail USB, CF Card, or bluetooth.
The Delorme GPS receiver usually picks up about 7 or 8 satellites at a time. Takes about 40 seconds to a minute to lock onto the satellites. Sometimes it might lose the signal but it'll pick it up right away.
I used the iguidance and delorme receiver to get me from New Orleans to Mobile, alabama. It worked great but it lost signals couple of times.

 

[axelfox]

I heard they're not very good. My cousin bought one (MS S&T + a usb GPS) but then returned it.

 

[QuitBanningMe]

iGuidance>*

http://www.inavcorp.com/products/iguidance2_combo.html

I do like Delorme receivers though.

 

[Raiden256]

Up

 

[EyeMWing]

I just need a cheapie reciever. Anyone got a link to one?

 

[TwoBills]

Originally posted by: EyeMWing
I just need a cheapie reciever. Anyone got a link to one?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's oneLink

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: TwoBills

Originally posted by: EyeMWing
I just need a cheapie reciever. Anyone got a link to one?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's oneLink

For a usb receiver just buy the generic cheapies that are sold on eBay - they'll get the job done easily.

 

[kranky]

I got the Earthmate USB GPS a couple years ago. It came with Street Atlas but I found the interface incomprehensible so I used it with Streets & Trips instead.

Worked great for me over 2,000 miles of vacation driving in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico. I didn't need the voice prompts since my wife was navigating.

 

[dartworth]

iGuidance GPS Navigation Software (Version 2.1) is great GPS software that can be used on a laptop or on a Pocket PC.

Globalsat BT-338 SiRF star III Bluetooth GPS Receiver is the latest and greatest GPS out right now. It uses bluetooth and the SiRF star III chipset.

It also has a 15 battery life.