BLUETOOTH / USB GPS Receiver for Laptop

JOSSYJACOB

I like to turn my laptop in to a GPS navigation system. I have Microsoft AutoRoute 2005 and Route 66 with me. I have seen some reviews of "Garmin GPS 10" (http://www.garmin.com/products/gps10/)and some "haicom" ones(http://www.haicom.com.tw/product.shtml).

1.Any one using these models with their laptop? Any other suggestions?

2.Which BLUETOOTH GPS Receiver should I buy and where to get it?
3.Is BLUETOOTH GPS Receiver better compared to USB ones?
4. Where to buy these stuff?

unkel

JOSSYJACOB wrote:

1.Any one using these models with their laptop?

I was using a Haicom USB receiver with my laptop. Worked fine

JOSSYJACOB wrote:

2.Which BLUETOOTH GPS Receiver should I buy and where to get it?

3.Is BLUETOOTH GPS Receiver better compared to USB ones?

Advantage: wireless
Disadvantage: it needs to be powered / connection not as reliable as cabled

JOSSYJACOB wrote:

4. Where to buy these stuff?

I bought my Haicom here

JOSSYJACOB

Thanks 4 the info

fletch

Microsoft are releasing AutoRoute 2006 very soon, it has satellite navigation features and there is going to be a bundled package that will ship with both the product and a GPS device like the one pictured below

The device itself can connect via bluetooth or an included USB cable
It's available here to buy, not sure if you can get it in Europe...a bit of googling and i'm sure you'd find one
Here ya go, it's available from expanys
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=115766

JOSSYJACOB

a. Is there any GPS receiver that fits into PCMCIA slot of the laptop so that battery charge of the receiver wont be an issue?

b. Which one is better amoung bluetooth ones?
1.Fortuna Clip-On Bluetooth GPS Receiver - http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=108471
2. GlobalSat BT338 SIRF Star III Bluetooth GPS - http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=122496
3.Pharos Bluetooth GPS Receiver with AC Charger - http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=115766

c. Is there a "USB" GPS receiver that can be directly inserted into the USB port with out wires?

d. Last Question - Which is the best Software available for use in Ireland?

bp_me

JOSSYJACOB wrote:

a. Is there any GPS receiver that fits into PCMCIA slot of the laptop so that battery charge of the receiver wont be an issue?

I don't know, but doubt it. Remember the receiver needs line of sight to the gps satellites. So unless you had the laptop mounted at the window it couldnt work. Needless to say a 12" or 14" display would raise serious safety concerns while driving around.

fletch

bp_me wrote:

I don't know, but doubt it. Remember the receiver needs line of sight to the gps satellites. So unless you had the laptop mounted at the window it couldnt work. Needless to say a 12" or 14" display would raise serious safety concerns while driving around.

The Pharos one I mentioned above can be got with an adaptor that fits into the PCMCIA slot and connects to the GPS device.....Here it is
Oh and here's a link to AutoRoute 2006 with GPS Locator if you're interested....not a bad price I suppose considering you're getting a GPS device and mapping software with maps for most of Europe

JOSSYJACOB

Fletch,
Microsoft AutoRoute 2006 with GPS Locator seems to be a good offer.

But is there any retailer that sell the product bundle? I checked ur link (PCWorld-UK). But it is taking me to Microsoft AutoRoute 2005.

Is there any serious changes from 2005 to 2006?

Where could I buy Microsoft AutoRoute 2006 with GPS Locator online?

fletch

JOSSYJACOB wrote:

Fletch,
Microsoft AutoRoute 2006 with GPS Locator seems to be a good offer.

But is there any retailer that sell the product bundle? I checked ur link (PCWorld-UK). But it is taking me to Microsoft AutoRoute 2005.

Is there any serious changes from 2005 to 2006?

Where could I buy Microsoft AutoRoute 2006 with GPS Locator online?

I see amazon have AR2006 for sale here but they dont seem to stock the bundled package with the GPS device....I know they are only in release phase so maybe you'll have to wait a couple of weeks until the GPS bundled package is release
Oh just after findin it on pcworld.....here's a link

whippet

is that solution really a viable alternative to traditional Sat Navs?

fletch

whippet wrote:

is that solution really a viable alternative to traditional Sat Navs?

Not really since you're gonna need a laptop....and if it aint touchscreen it's gonna be a bitch to try operate while on the move or using one of those annoying mouse pads.....was just a suggestion
Tis more for the casual user

JOSSYJACOB

thanks fletch

unkel

fletch wrote:

Tis more for the casual user

Indeed. It's a lot cheaper as well if you have a laptop already and you don't need a pda / pocket pc

fletch

unkel wrote:

Indeed. It's a lot cheaper as well if you have a laptop already and you don't need a pda / pocket pc

And if you do already have a PDA, it comes with Pocket Streets which will basically put your position via GPS on a map....(but will not provide driving directions etc)
lol...you'd swear I was gettin comission for AutoRoute so I'll stop going on about it now

unkel

fletch wrote:

lol...you'd swear I was gettin comission for AutoRoute so I'll stop going on about it now

LOL

Autoroute 2006 on its own is £45 and if it is half decent, that's a bargain. The package including the GPS receiver is £150. So the receiver on its own goes for about €160 which is very expensive imho

Above Haicom in my link is €69

fletch

unkel wrote:

LOL

Autoroute 2006 on its own is £45 and if it is half decent, that's a bargain. The package including the GPS receiver is £150. So the receiver on its own goes for about €160 which is very expensive imho

Above Haicom in my link is €69

I'm not sure whether or not the GPS bundled version gives ya the Bluetooth adaptor too....if it does the package would be good value....if it doesn't I'd ave to agree it's not gr8 value

JOSSYJACOB

unkel wrote:

LOL

Autoroute 2006 on its own is £45 and if it is half decent, that's a bargain. The package including the GPS receiver is £150. So the receiver on its own goes for about €160 which is very expensive imho

Above Haicom in my link is €69

The Haicom stuff is cheap. But is the reception good since it can be kept inside the car only?

Also unkel,

Can you tell ur experience in looking the laptop and concentrating in driving?

unkel

JOSSYJACOB wrote:

The Haicom stuff is cheap. But is the reception good since it can be kept inside the car only?

Anywhere on the dash worked fine for me. Also it is fully waterproof so you don't have to use it inside the car

JOSSYJACOB wrote:

Can you please tell ur experience in looking the laptop and concentrating in driving?

You know the answer to that one. They don't mix. Best to stop and look if you have to. However, voice commands surely are safe enough to listen to ("turn left in 200 meters")

draoicht

JOSSYJACOB wrote:

b. Which one is better amoung bluetooth ones?
1.Fortuna Clip-On Bluetooth GPS Receiver - http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=108471
2. GlobalSat BT338 SIRF Star III Bluetooth GPS - http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=122496
3.Pharos Bluetooth GPS Receiver with AC Charger - http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=115766

I have the Globalsat BT338 and use it with Ipaq 2210 and Destinator PN software.
It has great battery life 15 to 20 hours and once it has a satellite lock, i can put it in the glovebox and not worry about it being seen when i leave the car.
Even in the glovebox it reports 8 to 9 satellites.
Checked out some reviews before i bought it and they were very good.
I would highly recommend this as a bluetooth option.

JOSSYJACOB

The bluetooth GPS Receiver's seems to be costly. I only need to use it to intially find the way. Once i got it I may not use it for the same path. Haicom HI-204E GPS Receiver seems to be "OK" for my need.

But when i cheked komplette (http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=120770&cks=SPK) it seems to be out of stock and most of the items at expansys seems to be costly compared to other sites. Where else could i get "Haicom HI-204E GPS Receiver"?

Is there any cheaper bluetooth solution?

JOSSYJACOB

Just found a site which offers SiRF Star III Bluetooth GPS Receiver BT-338 cheaper for any one interested

http://www.carwatch.ie/product.asp?intProdID=128

draoicht

I bought my receiver from here
http://www.gpsforless.co.uk/index.php

They have this
http://www.gpsforless.co.uk/product_details.php?id=1701
which might suit your needs

Edit-Just copped your last post and the BT 338 is cheaper here
http://www.gpsforless.co.uk/product_details.php?id=1031

JOSSYJACOB

draoicht wrote:

I bought my receiver from here
http://www.gpsforless.co.uk/index.php

They have this
http://www.gpsforless.co.uk/product_details.php?id=1701
which might suit your needs

Edit-Just copped your last post and the BT 338 is cheaper here
http://www.gpsforless.co.uk/product_details.php?id=1031

draoicht,

Do they ship BT-338 to Ireland? Is there any shipping charge? How long it will take the shipping to reach here?

draoicht

Hi Jossyjacob
I bought mine a couple of months ago, I live in Dublin so yes they do ship to Ireland.
I ordered on a friday or saturday and I received it the following wednesday.
As regards delivery charges, I cant remember what they charged but according to their website its £10 for Europe but I dont think I paid this much but as I said I cant remember.
Hope this helps.

JOSSYJACOB

Microsoft Auto Route 2006 with GPS device is available at PC World. I have seen it at PC World Carrickmines.

JOSSYJACOB

.
Which one is better?

1. GlobalSat BT 338 Bluetooth Gps Receiver
http://www.gpsforless.co.uk/product_details.php?id=1031
2. Holux GPSlim236 Wireless GPS Receiver
http://www.gpsforless.co.uk/product_details.php?id=1243

Will both work with MS Autoroute?

.

kevmac

There seems to be no discussion here on how bad the mapping is and has always been for Ireland. Autoroute has a terrible reputation.

A quick look at Amazon and I found this customer review


Conned again., December 8, 2005
Reviewer: John W from N. Ireland
If you are expecting updated mapping over Autoroute 2005, don't waste your money. In Northern and Southern Ireland the mapping is identical to 2005, that is, when you start to go west, the detail gradually disappears. Apart from changing the look of the mapping slightly there has been absolutely no improvement in actual map details. Very disappointed.

Alun

kevmac wrote:

There seems to be no discussion here on how bad the mapping is and has always been for Ireland. Autoroute has a terrible reputation.

Maybe not on this thread but certainly on other recent related GPS threads elsewhere on boards. There are basically two suppliers of mapping data for satnav systems ... TeleAtlas and Navteq. Any product on the market uses data sourced from either of these two suppliers, although depending on the lead time between getting the new updated database from Navteq or TeleAtlas and integrating that into their products, or, in the case of DVD based OEM satnav systems, bringing out an updated DVD, this data can be very out of date.

TeleAtlas have, AFAIK, only got data for NI, and by all accounts it isn't very good either. Current commercially available Navteq data isn't that hot either outside of the major towns and cities, but apparently they've been doing a complete re-survey of the whole of Ireland over the last year or two, and complete coverage of the island should be available "real soon now". When that will make it's way into a mainstream product is anyone's guess though.

I've recently come back from a trip in the UK using TomTom which uses TeleAtlas data, and despite the virtually 100% coverage I wasn't that impressed. On several occasions I was told to take the second exit on a roundabout when in fact it was the third because a small secondary exit wasn't on the map, and some pretty confusing or non-existent voice prompts on the mess of motorways around Manchester, especially where motorways merged or split. I've done the same trip using a Navteq based system and had none of these problems. I've heard rumours of TomTom switching to Navteq, but am not sure whether they're true.

gorm

draoicht wrote:

Hi Jossyjacob
I bought mine a couple of months ago, I live in Dublin so yes they do ship to Ireland.
I ordered on a friday or saturday and I received it the following wednesday.
As regards delivery charges, I cant remember what they charged but according to their website its £10 for Europe but I dont think I paid this much but as I said I cant remember.
Hope this helps.

I also bought my BT-338 from them, along with destinator PN for PDA. Similar experience, very good to deal with and shipped very quickly. Don't remember shipping charge but it was small.

kevmac

Alun, if you look back it was me and you who were the main posters in those threads.

NavTeq have now 100% mapped Northern Ireland and the Republic and the maps will be released to GPS companies with the Q1 2006 NavTeq data release, allegedly.

JOSSYJACOB

If i am using a software like MS AutoRoute 2006 could i use mapping data from NavTeq etc. for additional coverage. MS AutoRoute supports importing data....!