Radioshack GPS w/ Delorme software regularly $99, Now $69.99!

[eugovector]

$99 is the normal price but still a hot deal compared to other GPS units. For either the Laptop or Handheld. Works exactly as promised. I got the laptop verson.


Link to Radishack or search for "GPS"

Link to Review

Edit 12/30/02: Another thread reports that this unit may be on sale for $69.99. Several people claim to have picked units up at this price. My local Radioshack didn't have any units on hand and didn't have the 69.99 reduced price. Online price still $99.

 

[Rally1]

thats great esp. with the software included.

 

[deftron]

Handheld version looks nice

but only works with Compaq iPAQ 3600 and 3800 series and Palm M125/M130/M500/M505/M515/1705


No Toshibas or Audiovox

 

[Perplexer]

Be warned; from looking at the manual, it looks like this GPS may not use standard NMEA commands.

This means that it will work fine with the included software, but will probably not work with other applications (i.e. Rand McNally Streetfinder, MS Streets and Trips, etc.) You will note that the software included is "Delorme Street Atlas USA RS Edition, and that you must set up the hardware in the program as "RadioShack DigiTraveler." I personally prefer the quality of the maps with the Streetfinder software (which will work with any standard NMEA device)

The Delorme Tripmate PC GPS receiver worked in the same way; it required that the software send it a specific string of characters before it activated itself. Search Google for "tripmate" and "astral" for details.

That said, this does look like a decent GPS unit, and still might work with other apps.

[edit]
Doh! I just read the review, and it looks like it does output standard NMEA. This was a wise move.
[/edit]

 

[brj8826]

I know this is a little off-topic, but do any of you know where I can find Sony SkyMap replacement software? I took advantage of the GPS/Software deal a few years ago and lost my cds in the move.

The Etak GPS that came with it is NMEA compliant, so can I just use any software? If so, where can I find the cheapest?

 

[rebuilder]

Good deal I suppose but just a consideration:

Keep an eye out for your Amazon GoldBox
I got the handheld Etrex Legend for $169 ish last week with a $50 rebate ($119 ish) Free ship, use $5 coupon to make it less.. Regularly $200 to $250 plus shipping most other stores.
I've seen it about 3 times in the last 2 weeks.
I used it this past weekend connected to my lap on a trip to FL.
(Although I actually didn't need the laptop because of the base map already on the unit)
Downshot...... it does not include any software but will work with any of the software that accepts the standard GPS signal (except you cannot upload or download maps, routes etc..... only the GPS data from handheld unless you use the Garmin maps)
This is one incredible GPS handheld for the price!
After all of my research this appears to be the best bang for your buck.

Thanks for the post!

 

[Maverick215]

reading the review, I just can't figure out why in the world one would need 16 channels, unless you were in outer space or something

 

[MamBo]

can anyone confirm that this thing don't work with any other software ?

 

[Maverick215]

Originally posted by: MamBo
can anyone confirm that this thing don't work with any other software ?

Read the review that was linked in the first post before asking stupid questions
From the review:
In my limited testing, I've found the DigiTraveler GPS to operate perfectly with the programs I've tried:
- Mapopolis
- PocketMap Navigator
- Destinator in NMEA mode (not something I recommend..)
- Pharos Ostia v4.0
-----------
According to the review it is a NMEA and as such will work with any program that accepts standard NMEA input

 

[pelikanbird]

amasing deal. i was looking for a GPS receiver for months. works perfect with MS Streets and Trips 2002.

 

[pelikanbird]

The StreetAtlas 2003 included is amasing ! i mean it... worth every penny !!! The receiver works with any NMEA enabled software, as i said, with MS Street and Trips too.... but who really needs that when you get the StreetAtlas 2003. If u have to travel alot to different weird addresses like i do, this is the most amasing thing you need.

the voice guides ... for Where am i or ... next Turn left/right in x miles, y minutes is really killer.

FINALLY I GOT A COOL NAVIGATION SYSTEM !!!!

 

[foggy]

Originally posted by: Maverick215
reading the review, I just can't figure out why in the world one would need 16 channels, unless you were in outer space or something

I don't understand what you mean by this. The more channels you have available for your GPS, the better. Faster lock-on times, better accuracy, better coverage in difficult areas, etc...

Each 'channel' basically means the number of sattelites the GPS receiver could have access to simultaneously. Usually, the more channels you are capable of, the more expensive the receiver.

 

[Kraeji]

Dang it.. I need a coupon

Oh Sprint emloyees get 10% off

 

[Maverick215]

Originally posted by: foggy

Originally posted by: Maverick215
reading the review, I just can't figure out why in the world one would need 16 channels, unless you were in outer space or something

I don't understand what you mean by this. The more channels you have available for your GPS, the better. Faster lock-on times, better accuracy, better coverage in difficult areas, etc...

Each 'channel' basically means the number of sattelites the GPS receiver could have access to simultaneously. Usually, the more channels you are capable of, the more expensive the receiver.

My understanding is that there would NEVER be an occasion (due to line of sight to the sats, and thus lower number in mountains) where you would see more than 12 sats at any one time, and even then it would be very rare to see 12 at a time. 16 channels is just like saying. "my stereo goes to 11"
Perhaps I'm wrong, and perhaps it has"Faster lock-on times, better accuracy, better coverage in difficult areas"
but unless you have some factual data to support this I will have to rely on what I've heard before.
accuracy is dependant on whether it has a properly implemented algorithm to determine position, 6 sats or 600 sats isn't going to make a difference with a poor calculation. if by difficult areas, you mean the bottom of the grand canyon, then sorry, once again if you've got 6000000000000000 channels, but still just have line of sight to 2 or 3, it's not going to make a difference.
Feel free to slam me on anything that I have not properly outlined (didn't really want to take the extra time to look up the stuff, just pulling this from what I think I remember as being correct, so if I'm wrong, shoot me or something)
btw, I could possibly see the use for more than 12 channels in something like a sail boat or something where you might see 12 sats at a given time, then during the transition period you see that 13th one coming on, so that you always have your 12 sats locked at any given time.
Maybe I'm jealous this gps has 16 chans, or maybe I'm content with my $25 12 chan (in parallel) reciever
have fun for those of you that got this.

 

[kindest]

damn these GPS's are getting cheap.
Im going to have to get one this holiday season.

anyone know the best review sites available offhand?

 

[Freejack2]

Who cares if it's proprietary. Delorme Street Atlas 2003 alone makes it a hot deal. Though 2003 runs a bit slower than 8.0 did.

 

[pelikanbird]

is Delorme Street Atlas 2003 best street navigation software? beats MS Street and Trips by far... any other options available ?

 

[jamesd1343]

check the forums over at pocket pc passion Brighthandmight have something too

 

[supermer]

Originally posted by: Maverick215

Originally posted by: foggy

Originally posted by: Maverick215
reading the review, I just can't figure out why in the world one would need 16 channels, unless you were in outer space or something

I don't understand what you mean by this. The more channels you have available for your GPS, the better. Faster lock-on times, better accuracy, better coverage in difficult areas, etc...

Each 'channel' basically means the number of sattelites the GPS receiver could have access to simultaneously. Usually, the more channels you are capable of, the more expensive the receiver.

My understanding is that there would NEVER be an occasion (due to line of sight to the sats, and thus lower number in mountains) where you would see more than 12 sats at any one time, and even then it would be very rare to see 12 at a time. 16 channels is just like saying. "my stereo goes to 11"
Perhaps I'm wrong, and perhaps it has"Faster lock-on times, better accuracy, better coverage in difficult areas"
but unless you have some factual data to support this I will have to rely on what I've heard before.
accuracy is dependant on whether it has a properly implemented algorithm to determine position, 6 sats or 600 sats isn't going to make a difference with a poor calculation. if by difficult areas, you mean the bottom of the grand canyon, then sorry, once again if you've got 6000000000000000 channels, but still just have line of sight to 2 or 3, it's not going to make a difference.
Feel free to slam me on anything that I have not properly outlined (didn't really want to take the extra time to look up the stuff, just pulling this from what I think I remember as being correct, so if I'm wrong, shoot me or something)
btw, I could possibly see the use for more than 12 channels in something like a sail boat or something where you might see 12 sats at a given time, then during the transition period you see that 13th one coming on, so that you always have your 12 sats locked at any given time.
Maybe I'm jealous this gps has 16 chans, or maybe I'm content with my $25 12 chan (in parallel) reciever
have fun for those of you that got this.

I am curious to know where I can find a $25 12-channel receiver ?

 

[VaG]

.

 

[Slikkster]

My stereo does go to 11...doesn't everyone's? heheh

 

[getumfast]

I purchased the laptop version and it works well, except on extreme zoom settings.
It shows me driving "beside" the road instead of on it.
That was with 6 satellites locked in.

 

[pelikanbird]

the consumer GPS devices are in a certain precision class, different by the military ones which are inch tolerance. I understand that this 10 meters ~ 10 yards errors are introduced in the GPS sat reporting for the consumer class GPS devices... and this is done because they dont want to allow consumers to build GPS based guiding devices...

IMHO if you use something like this to guide a missle you dont need inch precission anyway... 10 yards precission is enough.

also i know that there is a way to transform the precision class of a gps device... especially one which use a serial/usb interface with a atlas software on a laptop ... from consumer to military .... dunno how.

 

[GetReal]

Originally posted by: pelikanbird
the consumer GPS devices are in a certain precision class, different by the military ones which are inch tolerance. I understand that this 10 meters ~ 10 yards errors are introduced in the GPS sat reporting for the consumer class GPS devices... and this is done because they dont want to allow consumers to build GPS based guiding devices...

IMHO if you use something like this to guide a missle you dont need inch precission anyway... 10 yards precission is enough.

also i know that there is a way to transform the precision class of a gps device... especially one which use a serial/usb interface with a atlas software on a laptop ... from consumer to military .... dunno how.

This is no longer true and has not been for a couple of years. There is no longer any "Selective Availability " or error introduced into the comsumer GPPs products. With WAAS or EGNOS, comsumer GPSs have the ability to to be as accurate military devices. In fact some commerically available off the shelf GPS surveying equipment is more acurate than that the military curretly uses everyday. However, this equipment must be setup for hours and allowed to stabilize before it is capable of giving such readings. The big difference right now in commercial/comsumer devices and military devices is the number of satellites used o determine position. While commercial/comsumer devices can use up to 12 satellites for positioning , the military devices use up to 24 and thus military deivces have a higher probability of getting a more accurate read faster.

Here is the press release from Magellan back in 2000...

In 2000, Selective Availability was turned off by presidential order, giving all GPS receivers the potential accuracy of 15 meters without the use of signal correction. The signals are available 24 hours a day in any weather condition, everywhere around the world. When used with WAAS or EGNOS receivers, GPS accuracy can be improved to 3 meters.

 

[sat4fun]

Yes, the SA induced errors were discontinued several years ago by the Department of Defense. The induced errors of several meters were eliminated and is now accurate to a meter or so. Now a three sat fix from a consumer unit is the same as a military unit. A three sat fix is all that is needed. Differential GPS can be used to get it down to centimeter resolution, but this is rather invloved and is used for precise navigation and surveys.

GPS is a remarkable tool and has always been a great value. The reason for this value can be attributed to the Challenger Disaster. The GPS system was very close to launch when the Challenger went down in 1986. The research and development costs were written off during the time that it took for NASA to recover from the crash. OCnsumer units have always been pretty inexpensive. I have a 1995 model that I paid $120 for and it is still kicking.

I may have to pick this thing up.