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Google Maps and GPS

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Posted by: txschafers

Does Google Maps work with a GPS system? Basically I am thinking about getting the Cingular GPS receiver for my Treo 750 but did not want to use Telenav service.


Posted by: blue_days

Try looking for Mobile GMaps. Its a J2ME app that uses Google maps, among others, to interface with a GPS unit. I loaded it to my phone with an internal GPS unit yesterday, but since I have been sick, I have not bee outside to get a signal...


Posted by: -DZ-

Yes, Google Maps works with a GPS receiver.

The PocketPC version of Google Maps will track your location with a GPS receiver. It will give you directions, but you have to be paying attention to it. It doesn't reroute when you miss a turn and it doesn't have any kind of notification that you have or have not made the right decision.

I guess it could be considered a poor mans navigation, but it's really not a replacement for TomTom or anything like that.

However, Google Maps is not without it's uses. I drive in and around Chicago all the time and it has live real time traffic conditions shown on the map. Roads appear Red, Yellow, or Green depending on traffic flow. This is a very handy feature. Also, if you have the GPS on, you can just click on "Find Business" and find anything that's near you. (Best Buy, Pizza, Shoe Repair, etc.. Basically you have a GPS driven version of Google Local at your disposal.)

The only real issue with Google Maps Mobile is that to interface with the GPS, you have to allow Windows Mobile to manage the GPS device and then deliver the GPS information to the program. To do this, you need to have the GPS icon enabled in the Connections tab of Settings, and by default this was not enabled on my 8525. I know there's a registry edit for this so you should be able to do it on your Treo. If you use navigation software like TomTom though, TomTom is not compatible with Windows GPS management.

I use GMM if I know where I'm going to keep an eye on traffic conditions. I use TomTom when I'm not quite sure on the directions. Every time I switch between the two programs, I have to switch the Windows GPS management On or Off.

Kind of a pain, but worth it.


Posted by: txschafers

Quote:
Originally Posted by -DZ-
Yes, Google Maps works with a GPS receiver.

The PocketPC version of Google Maps will track your location with a GPS receiver. It will give you directions, but you have to be paying attention to it. It doesn't reroute when you miss a turn and it doesn't have any kind of notification that you have or have not made the right decision.

I guess it could be considered a poor mans navigation, but it's really not a replacement for TomTom or anything like that.

However, Google Maps is not without it's uses. I drive in and around Chicago all the time and it has live real time traffic conditions shown on the map. Roads appear Red, Yellow, or Green depending on traffic flow. This is a very handy feature. Also, if you have the GPS on, you can just click on "Find Business" and find anything that's near you. (Best Buy, Pizza, Shoe Repair, etc.. Basically you have a GPS driven version of Google Local at your disposal.)

The only real issue with Google Maps Mobile is that to interface with the GPS, you have to allow Windows Mobile to manage the GPS device and then deliver the GPS information to the program. To do this, you need to have the GPS icon enabled in the Connections tab of Settings, and by default this was not enabled on my 8525. I know there's a registry edit for this so you should be able to do it on your Treo. If you use navigation software like TomTom though, TomTom is not compatible with Windows GPS management.

I use GMM if I know where I'm going to keep an eye on traffic conditions. I use TomTom when I'm not quite sure on the directions. Every time I switch between the two programs, I have to switch the Windows GPS management On or Off.

Kind of a pain, but worth it.


If I buy the Cingular GPS receiver can you just get the Tom Tom software or is it a better deal to get all Tom Tom? Newbie to GPS so appreciate any guidance.


Posted by: richy240

Buy the software with a GPS receiver - often they are packaged in bundles and you can save a couple bucks.

So what's wrong with GMM w/ GPS? I mean, it works right? What if they included voice-guided directions? Is it crappy software, or does it just lack certain features?


Posted by: dwcliff703

Quote:
Originally Posted by txschafers
If I buy the Cingular GPS receiver can you just get the Tom Tom software or is it a better deal to get all Tom Tom? Newbie to GPS so appreciate any guidance.


I purchased a gps receiver bundled with Tomtom 6 software at buygpsnow.com and found their prices to be pretty discounted for a bundle. Be sure and sign up and take advantage of 'member discounts' before purchase to save even more.


Posted by: txschafers

Quote:
Originally Posted by dwcliff703
I purchased a gps receiver bundled with Tomtom 6 software at buygpsnow.com and found their prices to be pretty discounted for a bundle. Be sure and sign up and take advantage of 'member discounts' before purchase to save even more.


Which bundle did you buy since none of them say they are compatiable with the Treo 750?


Posted by: txschafers

I also assume that with Tom Tom you do not need a data connection right since the unit talks directly to the GPS receiver and the maps are loaded on an SD card?


Posted by: dwcliff703

Quote:
Originally Posted by txschafers
I also assume that with Tom Tom you do not need a data connection right since the unit talks directly to the GPS receiver and the maps are loaded on an SD card?


A couple notes about the posts above. The bundled package I bought from buygpsnow.com included tomtom 6 and GlobalSat BT-359 receiver. This receiver is the exact same one that Cingular sells for only $50 (reg. $99) thru the premeire website. At the time of my purchase cingular was backordered on the item and by picking up the bundled set at buygpsnow I only paid about an extra $10 (after their member discounts). If you buy any gps receiver and software for pda use then you are correct...no data service is needed. You load the software and maps directly to your device from a pc connection and no data connection is needed when using the navigation software. As to your question about the compatability with your 750...I just don't know. I know that the website didn't show my 8525 unit as a compatable device, but from checking out forums I knew that it would work and it has without a hitch.


Posted by: Rcadden

a great free gps service is nav4all. MUCH better than MgMaps/GoogleMaps


Posted by: txschafers

Do you need a data connection when using Google Maps and a GPS? I ask because I got a weird data message from the app stating a data connection was required. I think I may have gone through a bad reception area the other evening and my network connection dropped for a second or two.


Posted by: txschafers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rcadden
a great free gps service is nav4all. MUCH better than MgMaps/GoogleMaps



Are you using Nav4all on a Treo 750?




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