Need a GPS Unit...

czech09

Diamond Member
Nov 13, 2004
8,990
0
76
...for my cousin as a Christmas gift. I've looked around for some but haven't found anything good. Anyone have any personal experience with any? He wants one for his laptop via either PCMCIA or USB...Thanks in advance for any help.

Edit: Btw I don't need any software for it since he's in Europe.
 

ChefJoe

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2002
2,506
0
0
http://www.buygpsnow.com/ I have the mouse GPS haicom 204e connected to a special cable that hooks it into my sony clie TJ-37. Run the mapopolis software. But it's serial and can be done with USB. $70 or less.
 

DaWhim

Lifer
Feb 3, 2003
12,985
1
81
winner

lowest price you can get. you can sell back the software back on ebay for about $20-30.

hmm....maybe route 66 software for european
 

RadioHead84

Platinum Member
Jan 8, 2004
2,166
0
0
I would also like to get one of these for my car cause i like to go on trips to concerts and such. This would help a lot and my parents would prob chip in cause if it helps me not get lost/or helps me pay attention to the road they are all for it. Do any of these actually work that well with car travel directions?
 

kalster

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2002
7,355
6
81
I have sirf-III chipset bluetooth GPS that I use with my treo 650, using mapopolis navcard, works very well, since its bluetooh he can use it with his laptop (and any bluetooth device later on), can get it for 70-80 dollars I think, look at http://www.semsons.com/
 

RadioHead84

Platinum Member
Jan 8, 2004
2,166
0
0
Originally posted by: kalster
I have sirf-III chipset bluetooth GPS that I use with my treo 650, using mapopolis navcard, works very well, since its bluetooh he can use it with his laptop (and any bluetooth device later on), can get it for 70-80 dollars I think, look at http://www.semsons.com/

so you need a PDA for that or something? I am looking for a stand alone.
 

kalster

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2002
7,355
6
81
you dont need a PDA< its a bluetooth unit, you can pair it with a PDA or a laptop (assuming laptop has bluetooth)
 

DaWhim

Lifer
Feb 3, 2003
12,985
1
81
a ultraportable laptop(12") + ac inverter> pda.

I got my gps setup 1 year ago. never got lost again and it saved me a few time.
 

czech09

Diamond Member
Nov 13, 2004
8,990
0
76
Originally posted by: DaWhim
winner

lowest price you can get. you can sell back the software back on ebay for about $20-30.

hmm....maybe route 66 software for european

Seems like a very good deal. I've read all the reviews and it seems like the receiver works very well. As for the map software I most likely would resell it, I talked to him and he said not to worry about the software that he can find something there. Thanks!
 

czech09

Diamond Member
Nov 13, 2004
8,990
0
76
Originally posted by: DaWhim
a ultraportable laptop(12") + ac inverter> pda.

I got my gps setup 1 year ago. never got lost again and it saved me a few time.

Which one are you using atm?
 

Syringer

Lifer
Aug 2, 2001
19,333
3
71
Originally posted by: DaWhim
a ultraportable laptop(12") + ac inverter> pda.

I got my gps setup 1 year ago. never got lost again and it saved me a few time.

PDAs are smaller, cheaper, more convenient to set up in your car, and you don't have to wait for your PDA to boot up. It's also easier to use the touch screen of a PDA than to fiddle around with a touchpad or mouse when you're driving..
 

kalster

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2002
7,355
6
81
yeh, I think it might be a bit distracting to look at your laptop, if you place it on the side seat, I mount my treo on a vent mount and use it, a cheap PDA + bluetooth gps would be ideal (maybe a tad more expensive)
 

czech09

Diamond Member
Nov 13, 2004
8,990
0
76
Originally posted by: RadioHead84
Whats the best stand alone one tho? They all seem so expensive..I need cheap.

Standalone? You won't find a standalone one for cheap if by this term you mean the actual pda looking thing you get. I'd suggest using your laptop or PDA. The ones everyone listed are for these...
 

DivideBYZero

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
2
0
If he's going PDA, which I would recommend, he should use Tom Tom navigator 5 software. I have this on my PDA, and if you have something like a Treo it can route you around traffic from live data.

This realy is the class leader in PDA navigation with Zip/post code address lookup and 3D mapping.

I like it!
 

laketrout

Senior member
Mar 1, 2005
672
0
0
Originally posted by: RadioHead84
Whats the best stand alone one tho? They all seem so expensive..I need cheap.

The cheapest stand alones I have seen that are worth anything are garmin. But this is one product that comes better with a bit more investment. I have a tomtom 300 and right now they are upper $400 depending on deals (check newegg, it was cheap there). It provides full US and canada maps from tele atlas without needing to load and stuff, so thats a plus.

Otherwise, Delorme makes a good set and the tomtom navigator is always great. Though I don't like the nav in the PDA personally.