GPS or Pocket PC/GPS combo?

[Sniper82]

I was thinking about getting a GPS system for my car but got to thinking for the price of a $200-$300 GPS system I can get a used PDA for $100 or so and a GPS adapter and software kit and have around $150-200 in them. Curious does PDA/GPS combo work as good as a GPS system?

 

[bigrash]

I had wm5 + bluetooth gps + iguidance 3 and it worked very nicely. Used it to travel all over the northeast US. Most POI were updated and the software ran perfectly 95% of the time. I kinda miss it, but googlemap on my iphone works pretty good (well as good as it can work without actual gps)

 

[RichUK]

Don?t be cheap - get a tom tom one.

 

[bigrash]

Originally posted by: RichUK
Don?t be cheap - get a tom tom one.

Although Tom Tom is realy good, the North American version is not as good as the European version. The US maps aren't as good as the other brands.

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: RichUK
Don?t be cheap - get a tom tom one.

I was thinking I could do more with a PDA if the GPS option on it was about as good thats all.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I use a Dell Axim X50v and a BT-338 bluetooth GPS receiver when I travel, which is usually everywhere. Software is iGuidance 3. Ohio to Colorado and everything in between, Ohio to New Orleans to Virginia and back. The combo works amazingly, and when you're going to be out of the car you can just take the pocket PC with you, which is good for security as well as for all the benefits that come with having a pocket PC (jotting down notes, tasks, calendar, etc). It's a great way to multitask with your pocket PC. It's great having a totally portable GPS system because you don't have to be in the car to use the GPS. I've used my pocket PC and GPS receiver to walk around cities and find restaurants and stuff. I've used it to figure out where I am while out backpacking.

 

[RichUK]

I have a friend who uses a PDA with a GPS receiver and runs, IIRC, the tom tom navigation software, instead of using an actual tom tom. He seems to like it and prefers it over the use of a tom tom or any other dedicated GPS navigation device.

I have both a PDA and a tom tom, and personally I?m much happier using the tom tom as a dedicated GPS navigation unit, but that?s just my personal preference.

The thing with a PDA is, unless you intend to use if for any other productive function, it?s pretty much useless and just a glorified paper weight. The only reason I have a PDA is because my company provided me one as a business need.

EDIT: When I say PDA I?m referring to a Pocket PC.

 

[bonkers325]

usually a GPS system will have a large screen display. with a PDA/GPS combo, you are stuck with whatever size your PDA displays at.

like you said, the prices are comparable. but unless u already own a PDA and actively use a PDA in your daily life, you'd be better off getting a navigation system with a larger display.

 

[RossMAN]

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=40&threadid=2091599

 

[gsethi]

I use a Dell Axim x51v with a Holux BT receiver and iGuidance 3 (also tried Mappolis - sp ? but liked iGuidance UI much better) and it works pretty good for me. I have a 8GB Compact Flash card in my Axim and 1GB SD Card.

the SD card stores all maps for iGuidance etc. and the 8GB CF Card holds my mp3s. MP3 player and GPS in one package.

Fire up TCPMP, load up your playlist and play. Then open iGuidance (mp3s work fine in the background). I havnt used my ipod that much since I got this combo. You can also watch movies, take quick notes, etc. etc. with a Pocket PC. The only drawback is that you have to charge 2 devices (Pocket PC and the BT GPS Receiver).

I am using a Treo 750 and am thinking of using it as my all-in-one device (GPS + MP3 + phone) but the screen on the treo is kinda smaller and havnt tested audio quality yet. I am tempted to get the 8525/mogul/mda form factor but hate the sliding qwerty keyboard (and the palm tweaks on the treo are very handy - treo is a phone first and pda second while others are pda first and phone second).

 

[imaroon]

My preference is with a Gps System too, POI's on Gps Systems are very helpful to me

 

[lokiju]

I have a PDA that I never ever use.

Pointless now days almost with phones being so feature rich.

I have a Garmin nuvi 350 and love it, very easy to use on the go.

 

[Darwin333]

I have a Dell Axim 51V, a bluetooth GPS receiver and Iguidance 3. For all 3 I paid roughly the same as I would have for a standalone GPS and I get MUCH more functionality out of it.

Besides the GPS function I can surf the web, take notes (both voice and text), play videos, mp3 player, plethora of games, etc..

Pocketwallet is a GREAT application that I use a lot, as well as a few business apps that I don't know how I lived without.

Bottom line: Pocket PC/GPS combo works as well and almost as easy as a standalone GPS but has tons of other useful features.

 

[gwlam12]

Am I too late here? I would say go with the Pocket PC/GPS combo. I have a 2.5" screen on mine and it works fine in my car. I just need to know the street name and whether I'm turning left or right. Also, with the combo, it won't be as easy to steal since thieves target those sorts of thing.

 

[intogamer]

Built-in GPS in Pocket PCs aren't worth it. They are still fairly new, plus you will have a lot more options with a separate BT receiver. If you are going to do Pocket PC I recommend you to modify the phone for performance. I am referring to Mobile Pocket PC. Plus if you have a data plan, you can get traffic feeds. You can basically customize it to do anything.

BTW all Mobile Pocket PCs are slow, just like a Dell Computer. Plus you'll have a better ability to update software.

 

[RossMAN]

Garmin Nüvi 250W for $299 @ CostCo

 

[DivideBYZero]

I've had Tom Tom on my PDA and now I have a Tom Tom one. For $199 it's a steal and I love the ease of use and the multitude of POI's available online, such as speed camera/red light cam locations.

Saying that, nothing beats OEM Nav.

 

[LouPoir]

Magellan 3100 - $200

 

[nod218]

Get a MIO Digiwalker C310x, it's basically a PDA with a GPS antenna installed. You get a large touchpad screen, and you can "unlock" it so you can load any Windows Mobile 2003 applications. It will also support any .NET 2.0 compact framework application. I've loaded pdf viewer, word view, divx player, and various other stuff on it.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I don't like the MIO's.

 

[BabaBooey]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
I don't like the MIO's.

Thats a first ....:Q



I thought it was a very cool and useful item,bought one for mom last year and she loves it.

 

[xdreadpiratedoug]

Get one of these - http://store.treocentral.com/c...sories/10-95--2869.htm

When I get my new phone, I'll snag one and keep it on my keychain. It uses a mini-USB charger like my MP3 player, the new cell phone - so I can charge everything with one item. It's supposed to be rather good, the review is available for it on treocentral.

 

[x26]

Get the "Tilt"...

Works great!