vB Easy Archive - Recommended GPS Specs

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Recommended GPS Specs
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Posted by: boojew

I mean sure there is a better forum to put this.

I want to get an Audiovox SMT5600 and use it with a bluetooth GPS receiver. Now looking at eBay I see many different models and specs for receivers and I would like to know if any of the HOFO users have any recommendations on any of the these elements (brand, recommended # of channels, avg battery life, etc...)

Thanks!!!

Posted by: RMitch

I prefer the DeLorme BlueLogger GPS. The package they have is the best deal, with GPS, charging cradle, car charger, carrying case and Street Atlas for $149.

I also have a cheap bluetooth GPS from EBay. It works fine, but really it is just a very tiny GPS with only an on/off switch.

Look for 12+ channels, WAAS enabled, NMEA compatible, and I know I can get 8 hours of battery life from my DeLorme.

Posted by: hylton

I'd look at the SirfStarIII units (GlobalSat, Holux)...they are just better technology than the older stuff, which is what you get w/ the OEM combo packs of software and a GPS together...

Check out www.semsons.com or www.buygpsnow.com, they are both reputable companies w/ excellent post sales support...the devices are pretty much the same price...semsons tends to give you all the accessories in the price, buygpsnow looks cheaper, but once you add the AC charger, prices are equivalent...

Anyway...check it out...on both sites, you can pretty much pair a SirfStarIII unit w/ any software...software on the smartphone platform is limited...CoPilot, Mapopolis, Destinator SP are the only ones w/ US maps...Destinator SP in the US is only available (that I've found) thru Expansys USA.

Chris

Posted by: adlman

Are any of the GPS units/software combinations that are available able to create quickest routes if directions are needed? I am using an MPX 220 and would like to begin utilizing a GPS unit in combination with it to track my location as well as find and map quickest routes and directions to different locations.

Does anyone have suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hylton

I'd look at the SirfStarIII units (GlobalSat, Holux)...they are just better technology than the older stuff, which is what you get w/ the OEM combo packs of software and a GPS together...

Check out www.semsons.com or www.buygpsnow.com, they are both reputable companies w/ excellent post sales support...the devices are pretty much the same price...semsons tends to give you all the accessories in the price, buygpsnow looks cheaper, but once you add the AC charger, prices are equivalent...

Anyway...check it out...on both sites, you can pretty much pair a SirfStarIII unit w/ any software...software on the smartphone platform is limited...CoPilot, Mapopolis, Destinator SP are the only ones w/ US maps...Destinator SP in the US is only available (that I've found) thru Expansys USA.

Chris

Posted by: hylton

While I haven't used all of the options available for smartphone, I would imagine they all offer 'shortest route' routing capability...I know that Destinator SP offers this...

I've pretty much decided on this software along w/ a GlobalSat 338 if I use it w/ my smartphone...only reason I've not ordered yet is that I'm waiting to see post-release prices on a Wizard (no-camera version) in order to decide if I'm going to buy Destinator SP or some other software and a Wizard...

Chris

Posted by: pa555

These have route planning & will reroute if you take a wrong turn.

CoPilot Live 5 for Smartphone Review

Tom Tom Mobile 5 Review Don't think it's out for the US yet.

hylton I just found this review on Destinator SP Doesn't sound good.

Also like to point out the Rikaline Bluetooth GPS 6033 and the Review here The problem I find is the review says it has the new SiRF chipset, but from what I have read it doesn't & the site with it for sale says

Quote:

It has the quickest time to first fix (TTFF) in cold-start mode of about 30 seconds. This increase performance is about 10 to 12 seconds faster than the best performance consumer based Bluetooth GPS receivers powered by SiRF Star III Chipset. Then it says Notes from buyGPSnow.com management, the reviewer mentioned that this unit is powered by SiRF chipset. Tehnically that is incorrect. Instead, this unit is powered by "RFMD".

I thought SirfStarIII was the newest & best technology out for GPS units.
Then I found the RFDM GPS Chipset and it says it works indoors. The RF8900 is a highly integrated system solution incorporating Bluetooth wireless technology and GPS navigation technology with superior signal sensitivity (-155 dBm). The signal sensitivity of the RF8900 is 5 dBm better than competing solutions, enabling the RF8900 to track GPS signals down to -155 dBm, while maintaining a one-second position update rate. High signal sensitivity allows the end user to locate their position virtually anywhere, including areas where GPS signals are weak, fading or obstructed, such as light indoor environments and outdoor areas where there is foliage, tall buildings or mountains.

You know anything more about the RFDM chipset?

Paul

Posted by: hylton

The two destinator SP reviews that I had read that lead me to think I'd maybe try it were here...although, as w/ yours, they are reviewed using the EU maps...still...these are both more positive than the review you found, so now I don't know what to think now.

...thanks for the link though, I had not found the review you posted...good to see some of the issues identified so I can make a better decision...maybe copilot is the way to go...i had seen the review on copilot you posted, and a number of others...seems solid on the SP platform...just expensive...

http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/hardware...39208863,00.htm
http://msmobiles.com/news.php/3547.html

Anyway, I'm still researching and maybe tomtom will get their US maps and smartphone software out by the time I decide...they seem to have the best (according to reviews) software out there...

My buddy really liked copilot, so I'll have to give that more serious consideration...

Chris

Posted by: hylton

Oh, RFDM, don't know anything other than I haven't seen a single end-user product in my GPS research over the last few months...doesn't mean there isn't one...I had not even heard of it until your post...I don't believe buygpsnow.com or semsons.com are selling anything based on this chipset yet, so it much be really new.

Supposedly SirfStarIII will pick up indoors, many people have posted it'll get a fix indoors...whether it'd work inside a big building as you moved around, I doubt it, but I haven't tried that...even when I do buy, this would not be a deciding factor for me, I could probably even live w/ a SirfStarIIe b/c most of my use will be hiking/backpacking and driving.

You might try posting about RFDM at gpspassion.com and see what some of the experts know about it...I'm sure someone big into the GPS technology will know something and could provide you a better answer than me...but my initial thought would be that it might be better, but it looks to be totally new technology and SirfStarIII is available, proven, extremely precise, and used extensively by many people.

...would it (RFDM) really be worth waiting for or looking for something, the purposes you need it for...doubtful...IMO.

Chris

Posted by: shuffle

Quote:

Originally Posted by pa555

Tom Tom Mobile 5 Review Don't think it's out for the US yet.

You can simply install the UK version (make sure its English!) and install maps from Navigator 5 USA & Canada. It works great!

I have a cheap-o Rikaline BT GPS I picked up from eBay over a year ago and it works great with my 5600 setup.

Posted by: pa555

buygpsnow.com is selling the Rikaline 32-channel Bluetooth GPS & it has the RFDM chipset. Yes from what I have read it is a very new chipset. It has extreme sensitivity of -157dBm (-187dBw). so it says....

EDIT: Just read this thanks for the site GPS Chipsets and Receivers Compared Other chipsets
There are other chipsets that have been announced but not yet used in released consumer solutions. That includes the Qinetik, u-blox Antaris, and the Fujitsu 32 chipset receiver that should soon appear on the Rikaline 6033 Bluetooth GPS. <----this is the RFDM

But let look at the SiRF StarIII says it has Tracking Sensitivity -159 dBm. on the Globalsat BT-338 SiRF star III Bluetooth GPS Receiver.

You said you don't need the GPS to work well indoors, but if you want it for hiking/backpacking and driving then I would think you would want the best GPS to work in a environment with lots of trees, conyons or when driving tall buildings or thats my thoughts anyway....

I e-mailed CoPilot Sunday night about there receiver having the older chipset SiRF Star IIe/LP & if or when they would update there receiver. Forgot to ask about RFDM.
Got this back from them today.

Paul,

Thank you for your interest in our CoPilot products.

We will be implementing the new SiRF Star III chipset in our next generation of Bluetooth GPS receivers. There is no specified release date for the new GPS receivers. However, they should be available toward the end of this year or early 2006.

If you have any further questions, or would like to place an order, feel free to call 888-872-8768 ext. 250.

Thank you,

Jason Fingar
CoPilot Sales Representative
Phone: 888.872.8768 ext. 210
Fax: 609.252.8166
Email: jfingar@alk.com
ALK Technologies
www.CoPilotGPS.com

Posted by: pa555

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuffle

So you buy both to get it to work in the US? I think thats going to be a lot more than what Im willing to spend. Will look into it & see what the cost will be.

Thanks for letting us know that works.

Paul

Posted by: hylton

Paul, thanks for the links...hadn't seen that GPS at buygpsnow, so either it wasn't out last month when I was doing alot of my reading and shopping, or I just totally missed it...will have to read up on that and see if I can find a reviw of RFDM gps units...

The marketing specs look good, pretty much all the same features and battery life of SirfStarIII w/ better performance...and cheaper...big plus there...BUT...my biggest concern would be real-world performance...it might make claims in the marketing info, but until someone pairs it w/ a nav package and says it's the bomb, I'm a bit leary...if you notice in the comparison review at GPS passion, there was one unit w/ 'higher sens' that did terrible in the review...there is also the issue of firmware...even the SirfStarIII had issue initially from GlobalSat and Holux, both addressed w/ newer firmware that is now proven...so again, I'd be leary of something brand new, you'd be in the test pack that got to work out all the kinks and find all the shortcomings...

On the other issue regarding my needs, I still think SirfStarIII will suffice...based on the reviews of this chipset, it'll perform just fine in city scenarios, it's much less succeptable to reflected signals and such...so I don't expect it'd cause me too much problem...and I'm on the east coast, all my hiking is on the AT, mostly in VA...while some of the sections of trail decend into deep ravines and low valleys w/ surrounding mountains, given the geography I'm familiar with, I'd say it be less of an issue than a big city for the GPS to keep a fix...and there is the trail to keep me on track...hehehe...the GPS is only a nice to have for a geek-hiker, I've hiked w/o it for a couple of decades...haha...

Last issue, Copilot, I think they are too little to late in putting out sirfstarIII...unless you just want the GPS to have the same logo as your software, you can get it all now for about the same price...software + gps...Copilot charges a premium for their branded GPS ($200), so I doubt the sirfstarIII will be any different...only possible benefit would be that you'd get the combo pack of software + gps where they really only end up charging around $100 for the gps, that'd be a deal...

I seem to recall somewhere that had copilot software w/ another brand GPS, but I can't find it now...semsons and buygpsnow don't seem to offer a combo w/ copilot...strange...

Anyway...this is a great discussion...can't wait to read more about that rikaline GPS...

Chris

Posted by: shuffle

Quote:

Originally Posted by pa555

As it stands, yes. A friend has Navigator, and I saw online that this should work, so I tried it. Indeed it does.

Posted by: hylton

BTW, S&T 2006 is coming soon, rumored (and printed on the box) to have voice driving directions...I suspect this will still fall short of some of the products like copilot, tomtom, etc. that have 3-d maps and a history of good performance and good re-routing (interesting to see how well S&T re-routes in reviews)...

Anyway...S&T has some other nice features and UI that the other don't when not used w/ a GPS, so it's still a player in my mind, if basic driving directions work...

Alas, only on a laptop...doesn't look like PocketStreets will have routing, but you never know...maybe in 2007.

Chris

Posted by: pa555

Chris I too think the SirfStarIII is the best to go with today as it is already proven to work very well. The RFDM is just something I found & never heard of. Your right reading about it makes the thing sound great, but for my money today I would pass. By the first of the year maybe another story. LOL

As for Copilots combo pack of software + gps. I was shocked that there GPS was only a SirfStar IIe with charging the prices they do I would think the Smartphone combo being new would come with a SirfStarIII GPS receiver. That is what I thought I would buy tell I seen that and Tom Tom Mobile 5 not out yet in the US.

All I have read about S&T says it's junk & not even in the same ballpark as TomTom, Copilot, destinator SP. I will look around for some info on S&T's 2006 thanks.

Do you know anything about this software IGUIDANCE NEW VER 2.1.2 GPS NAVIGATION SOFTWARE?

Paul

Posted by: hylton

I've got S&T 2005 and it's sweet for what it's built for, trip planning, driving directions (screen and printouts), points of interest, etc...but it's never had any routing capability, and only recently did they even add GPS support to show 'current position'...so that's the gripe w/ it...but otherwise, it's a nice piece of software, and the price is great too...plus, you get pocketstreets for PocketPC and Smartphone included...they have limited map size capability on these platforms, but it's still nice to have once you get where you are going...

Anyway...if they add routing/navigation capability, w/ voice...even w/o 3d maps, it'll be a nice product...I imagine the price will still stay reasonable as well, under $50, but you never know...they could hike it up alot w/ nav capability...we'll see...

The COOL feature that is rumored, and probably not in the upcoming version of S&T 2007 is the 'ghost vehicle' stuff that is rumored to be patented by MS...they seem to be planning some kind of 'lead car' representation in the S&T software, again, no word on wether this is in 2006 or not, but if it were, it'd be revolutionary in GPS/nav technology...to be able to follow the car ahead of you on the screen.

Don't know much about iGuidance...alot of folks on GPSPASSION like it, no smartphone version, but on a PDA, seems to be a good product...but I haven't read anything much about it...

Chris

Posted by: adlman

Only problem I am having is I have been unable to locate the RF8900 for sale. Might you have any suggestions?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pa555

These have route planning & will reroute if you takea wrong turn.

CoPilot Live 5 for Smartphone Review

Tom Tom Mobile 5 Review Don't think it's out for the US yet.

hylton I just found this review on Destinator SP Doesn't sound good.

Also like to point out the Rikaline Bluetooth GPS 6033 and the Review here The problem I find is the review says it has the new SiRF chipset, but from what I have read it doesn't & the site with it for sale says

I thought SirfStarIII was the newest & best technology out for GPS units.
Then I found the RFDM GPS Chipset and it says it works indoors. The RF8900 is a highly integrated system solution incorporating Bluetooth wireless technology and GPS navigation technology with superior signal sensitivity (-155 dBm). The signal sensitivity of the RF8900 is 5 dBm better than competing solutions, enabling the RF8900 to track GPS signals down to -155 dBm, while maintaining a one-second position update rate. High signal sensitivity allows the end user to locate their position virtually anywhere, including areas where GPS signals are weak, fading or obstructed, such as light indoor environments and outdoor areas where there is foliage, tall buildings or mountains.

You know anything more about the RFDM chipset?

Paul

Posted by: pa555

Quote:

Originally Posted by adlman

Only problem I am having is I have been unable to locate the RF8900 for sale. Might you have any suggestions?

Yes in my quote you replied to you see the link Rikaline Bluetooth GPS 6033 and the Review here........

The Rikaline 6033 has the RFMD's RF8900.........

Chris thanks for the info & after I asked about iGuidance I seen it had no smartphone version...... Darn TomTom get off you buts & give us mobile 5 with US maps............

Paul

Posted by: adlman

Quote:

Originally Posted by pa555

Doesn't TOM TOM have a USA package? http://www.tomtom.com/products/sect...n=34&Language=4

This shows the sizes of the maps for use or am I missing something?

Posted by: pa555

Quote:

Originally Posted by adlman

Doesn't TOM TOM have a USA package? http://www.tomtom.com/products/sect...n=34&Language=4

This shows the sizes of the maps for use or am I missing something?

The problem is you see you linked to PDA navigation not mobile (smartphone)

Here is TomTom Mobile 5

Chris you know much about Mapopolis other than it being beta? Been reading about it over at gpspassion.com.

Paul

Posted by: hylton

Quote:

Originally Posted by pa555

Unfortunately no...only played w/ it briefly on my phone w/ a demo map, and that was only w/ borrowing a friends GPS temporarily...personally, I didn't like it much, but I think it probably works fine...I just felt the UI seemed a bit klunky, not a huge criticism of it, just what I felt...I'm sure it's a good program, it gets good reviews...

I also wasn't aware it was a beta version, I thought the smartphone version was also a production copy...so that would be of concern to me to, what about support...not that ALK (copilot) or TOMTOM are going to address an issue for one user, but I would think they have more $ to throw at problems and future releases...

Other than the review here or there you might find thru a search, I'd say GPSPassion is your best bet to get a feel for how any of these do in the real-world ... those guys over there really know their GPS / Nav stuff...only problem is there are only a few smartphone owners there, so you don't have much to go on even there...

Chris

Posted by: hylton

BTW...TomTom is coming to the US in a smartphone version, just not here yet...so patience might be the best answer here...I'm itching for something, but w/ winter approaching, I won't have as much need for it, so I may be waiting until spring for more hiking/vacation use next spring/summer/fall...I hike in the winter, but no long enough treks to need GPS, just short stuff...

Chris

Posted by: rsolomon

Quote:

Originally Posted by hylton

I'm a long-time user of Mapopolis on PocketPC, and recently started playing with the Smartphone version. I think Mapopolis' POI search beats most everybody else's. I agree that the Smartphone UI is clunkier than the PocketPC, but IMO a lot of that is Smartphone vs PocketPC or really keypad vs touchscreen. Mapopolis Smartphone version 4.50.28 is the latest beta, but I've used the 4.60 about-to-be-released-to-production version so I think beta vs production won't be an issue for long. I'm a licensed user, but within a couple of hours of asking about some oddities between the v4.42 PocketPC release and the 4.50.28 Smartphone beta, Mapopolis support sent me the 4.6 Smartphone pre-release to try.

One nice thing on Mapopolis is you're buyng the maps, so you can legally switch devices.

I will also say that I've gotten phenomenally good support from Mapopolis and they *HAVE* fixed issues for one user, as well as incorporated my suggestions into future versions.

I originally chose Mapopolis by selecting from vendors who offered me a trial copy - I'd encourage anyone interested to download the app and a trial map for their area.

HTH,
Richard

Posted by: hylton

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsolomon

That's alot of good news about mapopolis in my opinion, sounds like excellent support is offered...and the issue of platform does in fact go away w/ mapopolis, that's an excellent point and a distinction that puts them above the rest...that was a great decision on their part to do that...you can put your maps on multiple devices and get the software you need...hopefully they will stay w/ that structure going forward.

I agree on the smartphone UI, it's definitely not as full-featured as a PDA, but if you've seen Destinator or TomTom on a smartphone...the overall design seems to be quite a bit better...again, I'm waiting until I decide PDA vs Laptop vs Smartphone for my platform...I've not run either of these on my smartphone yet, just seen product reviews and screenshots.

In the meantime, I definitely don't suggest anyone purchase or not purchase based on what I post, my impressions are just based on my cursory look at the few packages that are out there, product reviews, and screenshots...

The only 2 products I have used were CoPilot on PPC and on the smartphone, Mapopolis and PocketStreets...w/ a borrowed GPS...so I'm hardly the person to be providing any 'buying decision' level information...

Chris

Posted by: rsolomon

Quote:

Originally Posted by hylton

you can put your maps on multiple devices and get the software you need...hopefully they will stay w/ that structure going forward.

I only wish they had a Win32 version!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hylton

In the meantime, I definitely don't suggest anyone purchase or not purchase based on what I post, my impressions are just based on my cursory look at the few packages that are out there, product reviews, and screenshots...

I hope I didn't come across as slamming your post - I was just adding some Mapopolis info that I knew. I think you made good points.

Many/most other packages required me to shell out $$$ without being able to even try them first. I do have and use 3 (kinda 4) different GPS-based navigation systems, and I'll say that finding Points Of Interest (POIs) is where Mapopolis shines over all mine. Navigating between two street addresses is basic stuff and they'll all probably do that OK. Try finding a gas station near you, or that great place to eat called something Fish, or a park.... Mapopolis defaults to wildcard searches when you search by name, so entering "fish" defaults to *fish* (you can uncheck a box on the same screen for when you want fish*). Finding POI by name is a trial on one system and impossible on another.

Another awesome feature of Mapopolis is something they call "maplets" which are really user extensions to the POI database: I can add a new restaurant for instance, put it in the Restaurant category, and it will show in searches just like it would if it were a POI included in the mapset! On my vehicle systems user POIs are only accessible through their own list (kind of like Favorites - which Mapopolis also has incidentally), and not searchable/displayable/etc. Both vehicle systems also have relatively small (<50-100) lists vs Mapopolis' maplets being unlimited for all practical purposes.

Do you get the idea I like the program?

Richard

Posted by: hylton

No, didn't think that at all (that you were slamming my post), I was just clarifying that I really don't know what I am talking about w/ regard to most of these packages when it comes to real-world use and testing...and that it's good that some folks (that have used them) are coming back w/ some comments about them...I really want to see more info that what some of the reviews have produced on these applications...so your info was great.

I find reviews are OK to get a feel for what to look at before you buy, but in the end, the folks that have really used the apps (for more than a week of testing for a magazine/e-magazine review) know more about what they can and can't do...for example, your support experience, someone would never have know that from a product review...

I pretty much am in my research phase and was just responding (in all of my prior posts in this thread) to some of the questions here w/ what I had found...but in the end, I really suggest folks post or talk to the experts over at GPSPassion...they really helped me out w/ my GPS hardware related questions...I haven't posted any of my software questions there yet b/c I haven't decided on a platform yet.

Chris

Posted by: pa555

I emailed Mapopolis support about what to get for my smartphone. I told them that I was new to all this & wanted to give there software a try, but see that for a smartphone it's still in beta. Asked if they had or when they would have a safe version for me to try.
They sent an email right back telling me to go here http://www.kudzumonthly.com/mapopolis/PPC/4.6_final_2/
and download a this viewer. Mapopolis_Smartphone_v4.6_Setup.exe

Then grab this user's guide: http://www.kudzumonthly.com/mapopol...neMan4.6PDF.zip

He also gave me some information on setting the phone (SMT 5600)
up to work with a Bluetooth GPS. I like that he gave this info without me asking anything about the Bluetooth GPS yet. So far I am very happy with there support.

Now I downloaded a map for New York, NY. because I don't have a GPS receiver yet & didn't want the trial in my area to end before I tested the GPS navigation.
The look of the map was fine for me, would like to see 3D, but as it is I like it. Tried Mapopolis' POI in New York, New York (just the POI that come with the download) used the search for Empire State Building & Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Then just checked out other places to, like Food, ATM, Gas & so on. Worked great I thought or for what I think I would want it for. As of now only had this software for less than 12 hours & used for maybe 30 min playing around I think even with out a GPS receiver it would be handy to have on my phone....

Paul