GPS - GPS Recieiver options

Author

GPS Recieiver options

art_sauder@telus.net

2007-08-09, 10:33 pm

Hello
Considering first purchase of GPS receiver. Considering MSoft Streets
and Europe version to work along with a laptop. Have seen the Wintec
GPS receiver as posted in this link and was wondering if any folks had
experience with it or would be willing to give advice and opinions of
best laptop based system. Planning extensive travel in Europe next
year. Want to purchase and get experience in using in North Amreical
over next few months.
Thanks
Art

art_sauder@telus.net

2007-08-09, 10:33 pm

Sorry folks, the link is http://www.semsons.com/wigiwblgpsre.html
On Fri, 10 Aug 2007 03:01:07 GMT, art_sauder@telus.net wrote:

>Hello
>Considering first purchase of GPS receiver. Considering MSoft Streets
>and Europe version to work along with a laptop. Have seen the Wintec
>GPS receiver as posted in this link and was wondering if any folks had
>experience with it or would be willing to give advice and opinions of
>best laptop based system. Planning extensive travel in Europe next
>year. Want to purchase and get experience in using in North Amreical
>over next few months.
>Thanks
>Art

Olaf Greck

2007-08-10, 7:33 am

art_sauder@telus.net wrote:

> opinions of
>best laptop based system

Hi Art,

my opinion is: don't, at least not when traveling.

For earning my living I have to carry a laptop with me across most of
Europe.
The locations as such does not matter, but the laptop plus cables,
power supply, bag and stuff weights around 5 to 6 kg where the laptop
is rather light with about 2,5 kg. I really enjoy my holiday's without
the heavy computer bag. I hardly ever use the laptop outside a
building, so to me it is useless for active navigation.

Trip planning and preparation on the laptop is ok, but when on the
road and looking for directions I would need something to read the
Wintec GPS as it does not have a display.

For the last six year I had integrated GPS solutions in the car and I
only change that to a PDA because my current PDA need replacing (so
does the current car ;) Further I prefer a truly mobile solution that
I can carry easily when walking/hire car/other transport .

Only a few days ago I have ordered that wintec because of Bluetooth
(no cable connection to strangle myself in) and reportedly good
support from the manufacturer.

The new PDA will be another PalmOS device due to historic reasons but
than again any PDA is lighter than a laptop.

HTH

Best regards

Olaf

Travel by GPS

2007-08-17, 10:33 am

Art wrote:
> Considering first purchase of GPS receiver. Considering MSoft Streets
> and Europe version to work along with a laptop.

Art,
If you can afford it you can't go wrong with a Garmin nuvi. It's the
size of a PDA and has many travel related features. I can give you
directions in several different languages. There's a language
translator option. And with built in audio player you can download
"How to speak..." books and learn the languages. However you will be
spending several hundred dollars if you purchase maps/data for both US
and EU.
- Doug
www.TravelByGPS.com

Jack Erbes

2007-08-17, 12:33 pm

Travel by GPS wrote:
> Art wrote:
>
> Art,
> If you can afford it you can't go wrong with a Garmin nuvi. It's the
> size of a PDA and has many travel related features. I can give you
> directions in several different languages. There's a language
> translator option. And with built in audio player you can download
> "How to speak..." books and learn the languages. However you will be
> spending several hundred dollars if you purchase maps/data for both US
> and EU.
> - Doug
> www.TravelByGPS.com

Doug,

It is a little disenginious that some one that sells GPS receivers would
recommend one specific one. Especially one that is so far removed from
the expressed interest.

And the little, "..if you can afford it..." taunt, that is simply smarmy.

You input is a simple and transparent attempt to sell something. That,
like spam, is not allowed here.

And, further to your recommendation, the nuvi is a good enough GPS
receiver but many find it deficient in many ways as far as it's features
and capabilities. And then there are some "glitches" or peculiarities
in the software design or implementation that either need to be fixed or
explained as appropriate.

Jack

Travel by GPS

2007-08-20, 10:40 am

Jack Erbes wrote:
> You input is a simple and transparent attempt to sell something.

I'm sorry, Jack.
That really did sound like a sales pitch. I happen to own a nuvi 360
and love it. Like the other enthusiast who replied, I wanted to
encourage the original poster to look at PDA-type solutions.
I have been contributing to this group for 7 years, and those that
know me know I'm passionate about this stuff. Yes you will find
affiliate links on my web site, but TravelByGPS.com is about providing
free GPS data to travelers.
Regrets,
- Doug

art_sauder@telus.net

2007-08-20, 12:39 pm

On Fri, 10 Aug 2007 03:01:07 GMT, art_sauder@telus.net wrote:

> was wondering if any folks had
>experience with it or would be willing to give advice and opinions of
>best laptop based system.

Thanks for your input guys, I appreciate it. While I don't think I
will purchase a hand held unit I am still at the point where I am
trying to learn as much as possible about pros cons, costs, and
effectiveness etc. At the same time I am really trying to zero in on
exactly how I would use it most. Presently it would be for Auto
navigation rather than say, "in city" handheld while walking around.
In city use would be if I found myself having to drive though a rather
large place (which I normally try to avoid as best I can).
Initially I thought I might get a unit as part of the car rental
package but that was going to up the cost by about $500CDN for my
situation. Thought I would try to make any investment my property for
future use!
In most cases when I would want to use GPS I will have a laptop with
me (photography is my hobby and I need the laptop)---this is why I was
asking about laptop software and bluetooth gps receivers.
My short term need is to get ready for some fairly extensive travel in
Europe, including some Eastern Europe (Hungary,Slovakia, Czech,
Romania, Croatia). So far I have only become aware of MS Autoroute
software (doesn't do much in Eastern Europe but I'm not surprosed by
that).
My rationale for considering going with a laptop system is to cut down
on the "gadgets" that have to be packed around as well as cost and
retaining any investment as my own property rather than to pay rental.

So far, when it comes to bluetooth receivers, it appears that the Sirf
III units would be the ones to consider---any thoughts on this? Does
anyone have experience with one of these? Any models to avoid or do
any stand out as being clearly superior???
Thanks
Art

PS I will be continuing to watch threads on hand helds

LinkBot