GPS for Dell Axim x50v

[RossMAN]

Globalsat BT-338 Black with iGuidance

I've spent at least 30 hours researching various Bluetooth receivers (Sirfstar III with WAAS enabled), software packages and car mounts.

I'm also considering the HAiCOM 405III with OCN5 software.

What about windshield vs vent mount?

Black or silver BT receiver?

 

I don't know too much about Bluetooth GPS receivers, but I'll try my best. The biggest thing I'd say you will want is a large power capacity (or the ability to power it via a cigarette lighter). My Garmin (a handheld unit, but it rings true for a PPC unit too) has run out of batteries before (on my way to Chicago from Detroit), and it was a huge pain in the ass. So whichever has the highest battery capacity (or the ability to be powered via a DC jack), I would automatically recommend. I can't say I've had any experience with Globalsat vs. HAiCOM, but I've at least heard of HAiCOM, and with GPS units, brand names can sometimes mean quite a lot.

I think nearly any GPS receiver will be able to lock onto satellites very well in a car, but the most important thing is to get good software. When you get a GPS unit, as long as it's NMEA compatible, you can use ANY software with it. It's kind of like buying a CD burner...they all burn in the same way, so you can use any CD burning program with it.

Use windshield mount...it'll give the unit the best visibility of satellites. Plus, vent mounts obstruct that nice warm or cool air from getting to your face.

I think the more important decision here is to research the software...the GPS hardware might be great, but if the software sucks your whole GPS experience is going to suck too. For navigation, you'll definitely want voice-guided navigation. Also, different map views will be important too...it's a personal preference, but I prefer maps that look like regular paper maps; all this "bird's eye view" mapping crap is annoying, IMHO. But yeah, definitely choose software that suits your navigation habits best, as the software differs more than the hardware in most cases.

Again, I don't have much experience with PPC GPS, but I think that should at least be enough to get you started on another goose chase after some good PPC mapping software.

 

[SearchMaster]

It seems to me like the advantage of getting a BT unit instead of one that connects directly to the PPC is that you could mount it in a somewhat hidden location.

As for the PPC mount, I somewhat agree with jumpr about the obstruction with a vent mount. However it tends to put the screen closer to your view and generally does not obstruct your road view at all, while there is a bit of obstruction with the windshield mount.

The software is definitely the key though. They generally use one of only 2 or 3 sources for the maps, so the accuracy of them is probably consistent. Usability and presentation of the information is important. I just bought PocketMap Navigator for my Axim X5. I like it pretty well, now that I understand it a bit better, but it took some getting used to. If you get the GPS first, I think you can at least do a free trial run with Mapopolis. When I researched, it seemed that everybody loved some aspects of each package and hated others.

 

[psxjunky]

RossMAN: It was good to see that BuyGPSNow is now selling the BT-338 with ver 3.1.1 firmware (which finally enables WAAS for this unit). So I think I am going for this one for my Axim X50V.

Only difference is that I am going to get the SILVER unit and not the black one. It gets pretty warm here and I think the silver unit will do a much better job of reflecting the heat (thus keeping the GPS cooler) than the black unit ... which will actually absorb heat.

I have decided to go with iGuidance as well.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Silver vs black will only matter for heat if the unit is in the sun.

 

[psxjunky]

For good reception of satellite streams, the GPS receiver probably needs to be in near line of sight of the satellites (hence the sky) ... and so it will be hard to avoid exposure to the sun.

Of course, people have reported getting good "fix" even while being inside a building, so clearly being in line of sight is not a "necessity" but it will surely improve performance as has been shown by some reviews in the GPSPassion forums.

 

[RossMAN]

Thanks for the replies and information.

I've decided to go a different route. I recently found the Garmin StreetPilot i3 for $299 which is $100 below it's MSRP price, it's probably a price mistake. I ordered last night and hopefully it should be here this week.

 

[Bootprint]

Make sure your vehicle doesn't have that metallic cover on the windshield, or you'll need an external antenna.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Bootprint
Make sure your vehicle doesn't have that metallic cover on the windshield, or you'll need an external antenna.

It's a 2002 Honda Accord sedan, do you know if we'd have any problems?

 

[Bootprint]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Bootprint
Make sure your vehicle doesn't have that metallic cover on the windshield, or you'll need an external antenna.

It's a 2002 Honda Accord sedan, do you know if we'd have any problems?

I don't think Honda has windshield defoggers, so you should be good.

Here is the list that is pointed to by many gps sites of examples of cars which have the metallic windshield covering.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Bootprint

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Bootprint
Make sure your vehicle doesn't have that metallic cover on the windshield, or you'll need an external antenna.

It's a 2002 Honda Accord sedan, do you know if we'd have any problems?

I don't think Honda has windshield defoggers, so you should be good.

Ok that's good to hear, thanks

 

[RossMAN]

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