GPS Recommendations

Does anyone use a GPS interface with his or her laptop? <or> do you have a dedicated car mounted or handheld GPS?

 

I don't have a GPS but I'd recommend eBay as these can get expensive. Have you looked at Garmin brand?

 

On my laptop's I've always used a website (mapquest etc. with printouts) or microsoft's streets and trips which is pretty cheap.

my parents have a built in navigation system in their car but the best aftermarket which a friend had installed in his is made by pioneer-it is pricey at 2000+ installation but it also doubles as an xm radio (sattelite) and gives traffic reporting which will help you avoid traffic! Furthermore it is professionally installed into dash and can be hidden inside dash when not needed. Looks like a factory installed option!

Otherwise tomtom is a great dash mounted option that is cheap and works well. ABout 500-600 for tomtom. However once you install it it stays.

 

I use a Garmin GPS18. USB interface, and can be had for around 125 from Garmin with mapping software included. Garmin also has a free download called nRoute that is essentially gives you turn by turn direction functionality that uses the mapping software for its routing function. It works really well. I tried Delorme's GPS and software, but I like the Garmin better. The interface is pretty simple, and easy to learn. Unless you really need some feature that is available with a more full featured software package, that the Garmin stuff won't do, I have a hard time recommending others.

 

Well, I 'inherited' a Garmin GPS III Plus that I found very useful for bike riding (speed, distance, average speed, direction). I was wondering if anyone used one of those USB GPS antennaes attached to their notebook when travelling. It seems cumbersome.

 

If you're looking for voice guided & color coded mapping GPS software with included versions for both notebook PC & PPC (e.g. Axim X51v), iGuidance costs ~$100 :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006JGDZQ/102-8970314-6652912

http://www.inavcorp.com/products/iguidance21.html

If you need a bundled bluetooth GPS receiver with the software that will work with bluetooth enabled notebook & PPC or other notebook options:

http://www.buygpsnow.com/gps-for-laptop_95.html

http://www.buygpsnow.com (other options)

They're starting to build GPS receivers into PDAs, the only notebook so far I've heard that has that option is a pricey Toughbook.

 

I have a Holux GR-213 USB GPS Receiver. The software I'm using with it is DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2006. The Holux uses the latest chip which is the SirfIII. Overall, the combo seems like a solid unit. I get accurate directions and it's easy to use.

 

anyone used the Holux 236 or holux 240 bluetooth gps receiver?
any other good bluetooth gps receivers?

 

I use a PDA with built-in GPS, wifi and bluetooth, so it serves many functions while just needing to carry one device. Also, with a PDA, you have lots of choices as to which GPS software you want to use. Currently, I use CoPilot by ALK - http://www.alk.com/copilot/ - as the software. The PDA I'm using is the GPS Traveler 525 from Pharos - http://pharosgps.com/products/all-in-one/PTL525P.htm.

The PDA runs windows mobile 5, which also has windows media 10 built in. So, this serves as my primary navigation device, PDA and mp3 player all in one. With Bluetooth, I can also get on the internet anywhere using my cell phone, and with wifi I can get high-speed at hot spots.

If you travel much, like I do for work, something portable and integrated like this is great. I don't need to carry around a bunch of different devices.