GPS opinions sought!

[Richard Wooldridge]

Hello all,
I'm looking for the collective views of all of you on handheld GPS units and software. I recently purchased a Dell Axim X51v PDA, and also purchased a Holux 236 bluetooth gps receiver and Ostia 7.5 software for it. After going through 3 axims to get a good working one and several tries to get the Ostia software and the Holux bluetooth receiver working, I finally have a portable gps unit. It is not without flaws, however - in the past I borrowed a gps mouse and Co-pilot software from my brother, and used it with my laptop on a cross-country trip. I feel that the CoPilot software actually worked much smoother than the Ostia software does.
So, what kind of opinions/experience do you have on the subject?
Thanks for your replies!

I have a Delou Bluetooth GPS for my laptop and a Garmin GPSMAP 76 C and very pleased with it. I do like the Magellan products and do think that they have better reception and accuracy but the difference in minimal and the Garmin software is so easy to use that when I do loan it to someone they master quickly.

[rkerste219]

Not a very fancy GPS, and GPS system go. However, easy to use and understand. I have the basic load, with all US/Interstate/ and major state highways. Runs on 2 AA batteries ( I have 4 rechargeable and rotate everyday). Not sure the cost, received as a Christmas a few years ago. It takes about 3 to 5 minutes to “find it’s self”, in all sorts of weather.

I use it to show me approx the arrival time, based upon speed, and the straight line distance to my office or home..

[450slcguy]

I have a Garmin street pilot that works great and I love the voice prompts. I also bought a Garmin etrex legend c handheld and down loaded the auto navigation software. Garmin doesn't tell you the street navigation soft will work on it and they don't list it as compatible software, but it works fantastic for $250 bucks. It gives great street directions, charts destination routes, marks waypoints, etc., works almost as well as street pilot without the voice, beeps instead (2 aa batteries). Also purchased the Euro. city software and used it in Europe (Italy, Greece,Netherlands as a walking guide for street directions and to pinpoint attractions along the way.

[Frank X. Morris]

Howdy Richard,
Can't help you. Got a Garmin e-trex about 9 months ago and still haven't figured it out.Actually I haven't tried in the last 7 months, maybe I'll dig it out and try again.

[Hatterasguy]

They all make pretty good units, you really can't go wrong these days. Northstar are my favorite hands down though. Best screens, simple to use, and can read the screen in direct sun, ect.

I use the Garmin daily and I I am very impressed.

[Botnst]

I use GPS pretty frequently but I still prefer roadmaps for most driving.

Signed,

Map Curmudgeon

[sixto]

I have an iPaq with Garmin bluetooth receiver and iQue software. The inteface similarity with my wife's Streetpilot 2620 is welcome. The iPaq screen isn't bright enough when I put it in view and it can't play the guidance voice loud enough to overcome the stereo at my usual listenting level. This is in contrast to the 2620 which is plenty bright and the external speaker is plenty loud. I wish the 2620 had a volume thumbwheel at the speaker rather than on-screen volume setting.

A friend of mine has an iQue 3600 and loves it. He uses it with a $20 external antenn which he keeps on the roof of his car.

Sixto

I forgot I have telenav on my Samsung blade cellphone, it came in handy once too. I was on foot looking for my hotel in dc I punched in the address and bammo I was there dude.

GPS related but a little different do you guys know that when you dial 411 on your cell phone you can get direction to the place that you are looking for from the operator based on your GPS position?

Hand jobs are coming out in 2008.

[Botnst]

Originally Posted by MedMech

I forgot I have telenav on my Samsung blade cellphone, it came in handy once too. I was on foot looking for my hotel in dc I punched in the address and bammo I was there dude.

GPS related but a little different do you guys know that when you dial 411 on your cell phone you can get direction to the place that you are looking for from the operator based on your GPS position?

Hand jobs are coming out in 2008.

Yep. We did that for S&R after Katrina & Rita.

I'll take one of those handjobs.

[suginami]

Originally Posted by MedMech

Hand jobs are coming out in 2008.

I'll take a hand job, too, but it depends on who's giving them...

[Botnst]

Originally Posted by suginami

I'll take a hand job, too, but it depends on who's giving them...

Good point.

[suginami]

Originally Posted by Botnst

Good point.

Yes, you can never be too careful.

Originally Posted by suginami

I'll take a hand job, too, but it depends on who's giving them...

true, remember the wanna go campin joke?