PC Software and GPS recommendations

[ree]

Originally Posted by evldave

Here's my current setup. It's worked on 40k+ miles of camping trips over the last 3 years (the US & Canada + Alaska).

I prefer Microsoft Streets & Trips for basic 'where am I at right now?' location. For that, I use a Garmin 12 (old school GPS) with serial connector. I've just upgraded to the 60csx (or whatever the # is), but I'll still use the serial connector because...

For routefinding, I use the Delorme Topo 6.0 & Street Atlas, usually the TOPO 6.0 since I'm offroad a lot. For the GPS for that, I use the Earthmate w/USB interface. You can't use 1 GPS for 2 software packages & using 2 USB GPSs causes mucho conflict for some reason.

For other offroad, I also use NatGeo TOPO! w/the various states (I have WA, CA, AK, IL, WI, ID, UT, OR + Nat'l parks + backroads). I prefer that since I used to be a geologist and can read them better for loading in waypoints, printing on the road,, etc than the delorme, but they aren't as nice while driving.

For regular daily driving, I drop the USB interface for the earthmate and put it in the bluetooth powerpack adapter (rechargeable or plug-in) and use my IPAQ 4700 w/streets & trips. I have the Delorme Street Atlas for handhelds and HATE IT - the refresh is ridiculously (sp) slow - that was a waste of $30.

Yes, I'm a map junkie. My first step was admitting it, then I went and bought more maps.

Yikes. This is not helping me I do know what all those things mean, but it certainly doesn't help me narrow the field for picking a single piece of software and a single GPS unit

I do like the notion of a bluetooth enabled unit. I don't like the idea of it being battery powered. I want something reliable that I don't have to nurse by charging or replacing batteries. I also want something that works well in a lot of environments, e.g. city, tree canopy. I don't need a multipurpose device.

If I can get some good pointers for specific GPS hardware products to consider, I'm going to trial a copy of the delorme software from a friend.

[evldave]

Originally Posted by ree

Yikes. This is not helping me I do know what all those things mean, but it certainly doesn't help me narrow the field for picking a single piece of software and a single GPS unit

I do like the notion of a bluetooth enabled unit. I don't like the idea of it being battery powered. I want something reliable that I don't have to nurse by charging or replacing batteries. I also want something that works well in a lot of environments, e.g. city, tree canopy. I don't need a multipurpose device.

If I can get some good pointers for specific GPS hardware products to consider, I'm going to trial a copy of the delorme software from a friend.

ok, here's my recommendation (sorry for the ramble, been drinkin for awhile now). Buy the Delorme Earthmate GPS w/Street Atlas 2006. You get a USB-powered unit that uses WAAS (much more accurate), so no need to plug it in twice. The software works good.

Plus, if you want to upgrade to bluetooth, you can do so by getting the bluetooth adapter (with battery, so absolutely no cables).

Here's a web special for everything (including TOPO 6, which kicks azz)

https://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?section=10091&item=24466&m inisite=10020

Here's the bluetooth version (sorry, no specials)

https://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DEL...?section=10093

I wouldn't get the S&T2006 setup from microsoft since they still don't have as good a real-time navigation & voice directions. All that other BS stuff I said, just ignore it until you become a junkie (and you will become a junkie )

[f5fstop]

Can't help with the laptop GPS, since I have always used hand units (Garmin 60csx latest one). However, in the area of batteries I might help.
Get some of the 2500 mAh Energizer NiMH and you will be amazed at the time they hold a charge.
My 60csx, with the backlight on full, will run for almost 16 hours; without the backlight on, over 25 hours. Alkalines...don't even ask.

[ree]

evldave,
Can you comment on the mediocre customer reviews of the earthmate on cnet: http://reviews.cnet.com/DeLorme_Eart...98.html?tag=mp

I know these are all old, but I haven't seen newer reviews yet. Other than getting the Earthmate to work with other software, have you been happy enough with it?

The Earthmate does look nice, especially since there's an optional external antenna you can mount up on the roof. I'd be willing to route the coax from that in through the markers and out of the overhead console somewhere.

However, I don't see the adapter that allows you to upgrade the USB Earthmate to be battery+bluetooth enabled on their site. The cnet review shows this product, but I delorme doesn't seem to be including it on their site.

[evldave]

Originally Posted by ree

evldave,
Can you comment on the mediocre customer reviews of the earthmate on cnet: http://reviews.cnet.com/DeLorme_Eart...98.html?tag=mp

I know these are all old, but I haven't seen newer reviews yet. Other than getting the Earthmate to work with other software, have you been happy enough with it?.

Can't speak to the review, but here's my experiences. I've got a Garmin 12, 60csx (brand new) and the earthmate. The 12 loses signal first, and will not work anywhere in the hummer except up on the dash (can't get a signal because of the metal I guess). The earthmate loses signal next, but rarely loses 2d (which is good for mapping I don't care about elevation), the 60 almost never loses signal, even inside the truck.

I drive in mtn valleys regularly, and do lose 3d on the earthmate (almost never on the 60 which I think has a new receiver). I don't lose the 2d that often, but it's also a pretty cheap GPS, so I'm happy w/the cost-performance.

It's slow to acquire the signal when inside the vehicle (can take 3-5 minutes sitting on the dash), but outside the rig can acquire w/in just a minute or two.

Originally Posted by ree

However, I don't see the adapter that allows you to upgrade the USB Earthmate to be battery+bluetooth enabled on their site. The cnet review shows this product, but I delorme doesn't seem to be including it on their site.

I can't help you there, maybe google it? I bought mine a couple years ago, from delorme (paid $99 for the bluetooth/battery).

[f5fstop]

I have that 60csx and I agree, it pulls in signals every where and fast. That new SiRF III chip is amazing. Did you get the new software update 2.90 and the new WAAS software update 2.60; free on the Garmin site?

[ree]

FYI, I just contacted Delorme about bluetooth and usb and found out the following tidbits:

- the LT-20 (part of the bundle posted above) does not have a bluetooth adapter and that their BlueLogger is the only bluetooth choice right now.
- the BlueLogger does not support USB
- if you want an external antenna, you have to use the BlueLogger receiver
- the newer receivers are all NMEA compliant so they should work with other vendors' software if that software talks NMEA
- the delorme mapping software should work with any NMEA 0183 2.0 or higher receiver

So it sounds like you need to go all bluetooth or all USB if you want to use one of their bundles.

But, according to their sales guy statements (above) it should be possible to use the Delorme software with the Garmin 60CSx. If this actually works, I'd spend the extra money to get the better receiver and cope with the extra wires somehow.

Any chance you can verify their claims that the 6.0 Delorme software will work with the Garmin for realtime navigation????

Thanks.

[evldave]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

I have that 60csx and I agree, it pulls in signals every where and fast. That new SiRF III chip is amazing. Did you get the new software update 2.90 and the new WAAS software update 2.60; free on the Garmin site?

No, but I will now!