CF-29 GPS tracking without internet connection?

I purchased an ND-100S GPS USB Dongle for use on my CF-29 MK3. The included software works fine and does exactly what I want it to do, except it will not display the maps without an internet connection.

So, I am looking at some other solution to (hopefully) accomplish what I want. I downloaded Navigator 12 software, but it tells me "No Maps Found", so I guess I need maps for it, but what maps, and where do I get them? What format do they need to be? I tried Google Earth Pro, but I get error messages saying the graphics card in the CF-29 won't support Google Maps Pro. So, can I use GPS without an internet connection?

Ken

 

I haven't used navigator 12, but I do use Delorme Topo 7.0. Older program but works well. Streets & Trips is on my other computer.

 

Will these work without an internet connection?

 

I know MS Streets & Trips does because that is what I use

 

Delorme too. It has all the maps saved offline. I think the newest version of Delorme topo is 12 or 13. I got version 7 cheap used to play with.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm just looking for something to play around with too, but if it doesn't work on the road, it isn't much good!

 

If you don't want to spend a lot here is a good priced one MS Streets Trips 2008 w Manual PC DVD Travel Planning Map Route Mapping Tools | eBay

 

A little clarification: there are many programs which will work without an internet connection. They store the map files on your hard drive. Since they all come on one DVD you will need a maximum of 5 GB available on your hard drive to store the maps, usually much less. Go here for some previous discussion: http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/361872-toughbooks-gps-software.html
CAP

 

Thanks Cap , I added this to the http://forum.notebookreview.com/pan...sting-ultimate-toughbook-resource-thread.html

 

Thanks for the help, it's a lot of information to digest!

Another question: I downloaded and installed Map Factor Navigator 12. I am downloading maps for it from Planet OSM extracts. When I get the maps, where / in what directory do I put them?

 

I'm not clear on what you downloaded. Navigator 12 seems to be a "for sale" item with maps included. I'm not familiar with the product, did you download "Navigator Free"? If so, it should come with instructions for loading maps. If they have no information provided, try this: Computer>C:>Program Files>Map Factor (Navigator Free or similar)>Maps (or similar). When you installed the program it should have suggested a location for the maps, if you just kept clicking through and you can't find the folder you might have to remove and re install the program and keep your eyes open for when you select the location for the maps. I'll look into it and get back to you, might as well check the program out.
CAP
EDIT: When you install the program the last pop up window asks you where to put "downloadable data". It defaults to: C:/Program Data/Navigator/12. Go there and paste your downloaded maps there
EDIT 2: THIS IS REALLY NOT WORTH IT! You can get MS Streets and Trips 2013 for $28 on eBay with free shipping, older versions for $2 and up. Save yourself a lot of aggravation!
CAP will now delete all this stuff!

 

I tried the "FREE" mapping programs. I gave them all 2 thumbs down. They suck....
I bought Garmin PC. It's discontinued, but it still pops up on fleabay. Microsquash Trips n Streets was choice 2 for me. I wanted the Garmin program for a certain reason. I can't remember at the moment what that reason is. Trips and Streets is a good program and "older" versions are CHEAP. If I remember from my research, you really want a 2008 version or newer. There are a couple big improvements starting then.

 

Thanks for the replies. I figured out how to install the maps in Navigator 12 Free. However, I also bought an older copy of Trips and Streets off eBay, as it seems to have a lot of recommendations. I don't like the look of Navigator very much.

 

Hi Shawn

Street and Trips...the 2008 version is the first year it required activation. I have used Street and Trips for many years doing field service in a half a dozen states.

I could not work without these tools in my work van...a docked CF-30 MK2 GPS Verizon Rev A
Street and Trips 2013.

Oh yeah! Shawn...Test driving win 7 this week. Great so far

Nick

 

Capt. turned me onto Delorme Topo 7... It was cheap on eBay and is pretty cool for off-roading. Street & Trips 2007 too... Cheap and pretty good for what it is.

 

Anyone have any feedback on Fugawi?

Fugawi GPS Navigation and Mapping Software Homepage

Thanks.

 

Fugawi is good stuff, but not cheap. If you buy maps for all the provinces it will set you back a lot of money. A better choice might be OziExplorer. It requires you to find your own maps and has a fairly steep learning curve. I would definitely use it more if I didn't spend most of my time in locations where there is a cheaper, simpler option. If you are going to Morocco or Mali or a similar place you will need Ozi or something like it. Most of the maps available for these places are in Russian for some reason. I have not yet found a free source for free DMA (Defense Mapping Agency)maps, which pretty much cover the whole world. If you have time to mess with it and enjoy searching around for free maps, I do, Ozi is a good choice, not free, but significantly cheaper than Fugawi. I'm just not all that happy with spending a bunch of money for maps I've already paid for with my taxes. They are all available for free on line (Canada too!), and companies like Fugawi and Garmin charge outrageous prices to put them on disk for you. They do not pay for them, they just copy them to disk.
CAP

 

Thanks for the reply CAP.

Can't a person download maps from NRCAN (Natural Resources Canada) website, or other sites and use them w/Fug?

 

Another free program I haven't used is seaclear. It allows you to download uscg maps and use them. They have a yahoo group dedicated to it.

 

mklym... Is that a 1963 Chevy in your avatar?

 

Toughbook, no it is a Caddy, '64-'65 I think, but not sure.

Edit: Just sent my buddy, who built it, a txt and he replied that it was a '64 Coupe DeVille.

 

Seaclear, now Seaclear II is quite a good program. I have used it a bit myself, and build a few Toughbooks for the boat guys with Seaclear II. It will also work with some topo file extensions for land navigation, no turn by turn though.
CAP

 

It's not clear from Fugawi's web site if you can or not. They do not list compatible file extensions. They do imply that you can scan in your own maps so you probably can, you would just have to geo reference the map. This brings you back to OziExplorer.
CAP

 

I used Navigator 12 (free version) several times. You can simply download a lot of maps of several countries for free aswell. It is done by the setup menu. Its rather easy to use, once you know the tricks and so.

It uses a female computer voice to give you directions, and can be used without GPS or internet connection (but you still need an internet connection to download the maps...)

Concerning GPS tracking without internet or GPS device, there seems a trick for this , that makes it able by using the GSM sim card.

All GSM phones use some sort of GPS location thing. This can be usefull when you have the right software. Police also uses this kind of software to trace criminals by simply looking at the location of the criminal his/her mobile phone. I guess, normal folks are technically also able to do this with the CF-27/28/29.

I am also searching for such software at this moment. Would be nice to have.

 

I sent an email to Fugawi about maps their software can use. Here is the reply:

"Thank you for your interest in our software.


Fugawi software is aimed towards navigators and boaters and hence for most part is focused on Lake and Sea maps. That being said, v4.5 of Fugawi has support for some topographic maps as well. Topographic maps from different vendors tend to be delivered in a few commonly used formats, with tiff being one of the popular formats. Fugawi v4.5 has support for Tiff topographic maps from certain vendors. To know if the maps that you are looking at are supported by Fugawi v4.5, the best thing would be to try out a fully functional demo of Fugawi v4.5. This way you can decide for yourself if the software works with your maps and is suitable for your needs."

Not a very conciece answer. I might yet give it a try, but at this point, I am in no rush. Problem is I have too many ongoing projects, since I started playing with these Toughbooks. Might have to hire a project manager to see me through.

 

Another vote for Garmin PC! It is discontinued, but if you look hard enough you can find it for VERY cheap.

I can answer my "why" I had to have Garmin PC. Its interface is familiar, I use Garmin GPS day in and out. But more importantly to me is the INSANE amount of maps available for Garmin products. And if Garmin doesn't make the maps, well there are plenty of aftermarket free and open source maps available for Garmin.

There is a LOT of aftermarket support for Garmin too. Including a lot of software for making your own maps. And much of this is legal open source.

Disclaimer: Now I tread cautiously here and do not mean to cross over into "that which can't be spoken of here..." Personally, I may cross those lines in the software I choose to find/use.

From what I understand Garmin Mobile PC came in two versions. One with a GPS mouse that will only register to that mouse. The other didn't include this mouse and I believe will register to any SINGLE GPS PC device. I am not sure if the actual software registration is different. Whatever the case, do your homework on this so you don't end up with software you can't use.

What I like the most about Garmin Mobile PC is that you can use Mapinstall to "install" on your PC, any of the Garmin maps available for their other units. I am not sure if it allows installation of open source maps though (my version does).

I have used Delorme and Microsoft Streets and Trips before. Bothe worked pretty well, but I had issues with Delorme (IIRC) being super picky about EXACTLY how you input addresses. I have not used either recently enough to give valid recommendations here though.

Garmin Mobile PC, Delorme, and MS Streets and Trips... none of these require connection to the internet (except maybe during registration stage).