Pda + Gps

[DougLD]

Hi All
Thinking of buying a pda with a gps as I am a complete novice at this type of technology I am after some advise as what to look for. I want to use it on our trips both on and off road what maps or software should i look for.
Regards
Doug

[moose]

It's not quite a PDA, but i've got a nokia 6110 navigator, had it for just over a week, so far it's fantastic. Not sure how good it would for offroad use though.

[Mick-Kelly]

I use Navman with its built in software. I have heard that Tom Tom and Destinator eclipse it for usability. I have copies of both Tom Tom and Destinator but I just haven't had time to set them up to try yet.

[solmanic]

Buy a Dopod D810! There is about to be a Windows Mobile 6 update posted on the Dopod/HTC website which will enable the GPS receiver which has been built-into these since they were released (but never utilised). I have been using the GPS on Windows Mobile 5 courtesy of an Asian update since I got it a few months ago and it is fantastic.

They have a smaller form factor than just about anything else and are suitably powerful to run just about any application. I use Tomtom Navigator 6 on mine but I am going to try it out with an off-road package when I get the chance.

[jik22]

Buy a Dopod D810! There is about to be a Windows Mobile 6 update posted on the Dopod/HTC website which will enable the GPS receiver which has been built-into these since they were released (but never utilised). I have been using the GPS on Windows Mobile 5 courtesy of an Asian update since I got it a few months ago and it is fantastic.


Just got my new JasJam off our IT dept today, and it looks remarkably similar to your D810, to the point I'm wondering if they might be the same HTC device under the skin.

Can I ask where you got the hack to turn the GPS on under WM5? Want to try this, but I daren't risk a WM6 upgrade, as the corporate apps I run are most likely tied to WM5, plus I can't blow the Telstra firmware off it as we also hook into that for some security checks. :(

[solmanic]

WM6 is GREAT!. Do the free upgrade ASAP - find a way of making it work, it's worth it. I find my phone actually feels quicker in launching & running apps since upgrading.

BTW, the Jasjam is not the same as the Dopod D810. It is the Dopod D838-Pro by another name (that's assuming you mean the one with a slide-out keyboard) and does not, to my knowledge, have a GPS chip built-in. You can however use an external bluetooth antenna with it.

I find the xda-developers forum is a good place for any information. Here is a link to the Hermes (Jasjam codename) part of the forum:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=305

[jik22]

WM6 is GREAT!

BTW, the Jasjam is not the same as the Dopod D810. It is the Dopod D838-Pro by another name (that's assuming you mean the one with a slide-out keyboard) and does not, to my knowledge, have a GPS chip built-in.

Damn, damn and damn. Yes, keyboard so 838 (Even labelled as Hermes 100 under battery) and can't use WM6 until IT test and do the upgrade as their management tools will lock me out the corporate WAN if I do it myself.

However, if there is no GPS in mine (Which is a damn shame) then there's little point upgrading as WM5 is fine for Outlook/Exchange email, which is what I mainly use other than phone functions. TomTom with a BT GPS as I have working now will do and saves me carrying my Go500 with me when I travel. Now just sorting a car kit for the D3, and a temp car kit (Holder and charger) to carry with me when travelling or in the Defender.

Thanks for the links though.

[Taz]

IMHO, the display on a Pda is a little on the small side for offroading. Sure - they are fine for GPS navigation on-road, however I like high detail maps AND a sence of perspective (ie the big picture) which I found I can only achieve with a laptop.

[jik22]

IMHO, the display on a Pda is a little on the small side for offroading. Sure - they are fine for GPS navigation on-road, however I like high detail maps AND a sence of perspective (ie the big picture) which I found I can only achieve with a laptop.

Compared to the Garmin GPSMap60CS I'm using now, it will be a huge display. :)

Seriously though, doubt work would appreciate me using their laptop in the Defender, and as I don't need a laptop for anything else, it's not worth buying one. If I ever get round to sorting an in-car PC hooked up to the screen of the new DVD player I still haven't bothered fitting, I'll use that...but until then, a free PDA is good. ;)

[Blknight.aus]

Im using the mio a701, so far alls excelent with it.

[Franz]

Hi All
Thinking of buying a pda with a gps as I am a complete novice at this type of technology I am after some advise as what to look for. I want to use it on our trips both on and off road what maps or software should i look for.
Regards
Doug
Doug,

I used to run a laptop in the car but found it less than ideal due to inverter issues. I subsequently went the PDA route and started using a Ipaq 2210 which has worked really well for me. Downsides are screen size and limited functionality of OziExplorer.

I would not consider using one of the current phones as they will not work well (if at all with OziExplorer - unless you use a O2Xda or the like but their screen size is smaller than a regular PDA and that rules then out for me)

If all you want is city navigation, the phone route will work. For city nav, I run Tom Tom on my Ipaq and it works really well.

If you want to get really serious, spend the money and buy a car PC with 8" touch screen - wn't cost that much more than a new PDA and GPS.