Need help to find a GPS system for my laptop/PDA, as well as how GPS works

[kerokeroppi82]

I just got a job tha requires me to drive on site a lot, and I was thinking of getting a GPS navagating system for my laptop or PDA to use in the car to help me navagate, but I have no idea how GPS works. Anyone have any suggestions and recomendations? I saw this on eGay but don't know will it do what I want it to do. Thanks for the help!

 

[Yossarian]

GPS basics

 

[shekondar]

You'll still need mapping software with this, like M$ Streets & Trips, or Map & Go (I think that's what it's called)

 

[kerokeroppi82]

I have microsoft streets, I just want to get some recomendations on which compact flash/pcmcia navagating system would work the best. Thanks for the link PipBoy, very helpful.

 

[wyvrn]

If you want one that talks to you, ie giving you directions, I recommend the NAVMAN GPS e series. You can get them at www.hellodirect.com for $199.

 

[Freejack2]

I do the same thing you do, and I got the Garmin etrex legend GPS Deal listed in Hot Deals.
This GPS has WAAS so it can track the ground stations for the best accuracy.
I've been using mine for a week and in the 1400 miles of driving I did last week in New England and New York, I had no accuracy problems.

It comes with the serial cable and if you have AA NiMH batteries lying around like I do then it's no big deal. If not you can get a combination cable that plugs into your laptop and cigarette lighter. They sell off of ebay for like $25 I think.

The notebook my company issued to me doesn't have a serial port, unless I use the docking station. I got a usb to serial adapter off of ebay for less than $20 shipped.

Lastly, the 15 second updates on MS Streets and Trips will drive you insane. Go here to learn how to do the hack so Street and Trips will update as fast as once every half second.
I only update mine every 5 seconds as my notebook is only a p3-500 and Streets and Trips crashes a lot at anything below 5 seconds.

 

[Snipa]

I'm going to get this Delorme Earthmate in a few weeks: Link

$129 for USB connection, WAAS, and Street Atlas Software

 

[Joony]

If you're rich, go for the bluetooth GPS solution. If you're poor like me and need a corded solution, go for a handheld GPS device from Garmin, one of the etrex series. The etrex units connect via serial port, the most basic model (yellow one) does not come with a data cable (you can buy one for ~10 online) nor does it have the WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) feature. WAAS is a feature developed for the FAA for more accuracy, with WAAS, you can obtain an accuracy of 3 meters or better. The bluetooth GPS system has WAAS too!

Almost all PDAs have a built in RS232 controller and you can use a serial sync cable coupled with a null-modem adapter to connect the serial data cable. If you want a better solution, you can purchase a direct PDA to GPS cable or make your own if you're handy. Some PDAs have integerated bluetooth for wireless communications to devices such as cell phones and GPS. If your laptop does not have serial, you will need a USB based GPS system or get a serial-usb converter.

 

[J1600B]

Street Atlas talks and gives you directions (ie: Turn left at such and such street, 31 seconds). I think you can use most cheapo devices with it and it works great. My Nextel phone i58sr connects to my laptop and Streets uses its built in GPS receiver for tracking. It even works in non-coverage areas. The map shows which direction you are traveling, and it also pans to your current location.

edit:non-coverage areas meaning where you don't have phone service

 

[luv2chill]

Originally posted by: Joony
If you're rich, go for the bluetooth GPS solution.

Mmmmm Bluetooth! That's a great use of BT technology. Time to sell of this Etak PCMCIA GPS and save up the $$ for one of those babies!

Thanks for the tip.

l2c

 

[Bootprint]

I hope your vehicle doesn't have a metallized windshield, otherwise you'll have to get an external antenna.

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: shekondar
You'll still need mapping software with this, like M$ Streets & Trips, or Map & Go (I think that's what it's called)

www.gpss.co.uk has free mapping software.

Any GPS unit is going to output standard NEMA sentences, as long as it's got an RS-232 output. So the message format is standard.

 

I remember wearing a 50 pound, $100,000 backpack GPS unit about 10 years ago used for surveying. Handheld units were unheard of. Back then they only had roughly 15, 16 satellites. So if you used it, you only had certain "Windows" or times that you could use it. On more than one occasion I had to trek out into the woods at 3am, and once on the edge of a busy highway at dawn to get a "shot".

I guess this is the story I'll tell my kids: "You know, back in my day....."