Laptop as a GPS?

[etherealfocus]

So I've already got a dash-mounted netbook and want to make it a GPS too. I found this antenna:

http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-3.../dp/B000PKX2KA

Which is cheap and apparently high quality. As far as I'm aware, I just need some kind of map/navigation software that interfaces with it. Unfortunately I'm a complete noob at GPS and info I found on Google is pretty iffy/dated ('microsoft: GPS and your Windows XP laptop'). I'd like to do the project with free software if possible but I'll pay if needed. Don't need voice nagivation or anything, just arrows telling me which way to go. Live traffic would be nice but not necessary.

Am I on the right track? Recommendations on good software/maps? Does the antenna I chose look ok?

 

[corkyg]

I would use this - have used an earlier version - very satisfactory. Eventually replaced it with a dedicated Garmin unit (more compact!)

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=32386&section=10091

 

[frozentundra123456]

So I've already got a dash-mounted netbook and want to make it a GPS too. I found this antenna:

http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-3.../dp/B000PKX2KA

Which is cheap and apparently high quality. As far as I'm aware, I just need some kind of map/navigation software that interfaces with it. Unfortunately I'm a complete noob at GPS and info I found on Google is pretty iffy/dated ('microsoft: GPS and your Windows XP laptop'). I'd like to do the project with free software if possible but I'll pay if needed. Don't need voice nagivation or anything, just arrows telling me which way to go. Live traffic would be nice but not necessary.

Am I on the right track? Recommendations on good software/maps? Does the antenna I chose look ok?

I purchased Co-Pilot Live for my android tablet. I dont know if they make a version for the PC. The software is pretty decent, but I eventually got a dedicated GPS because the tablet was atrociously bad at picking up the GPS signal. It is your choice of course, but my recommendation, considering the relatively low price, is to get a dedicated GPS unit.

 

[matthew abner]

mindsoft system optimizer is the best one uptil i used