Which GPS - MDA II, XDA II, 2060 General

Hi,
Can someone recommend a good GPS device to use with the XDA ii, which actually works and is relatively problem free. I am thinking of buying one but would like some helpful advice first.
Thanks

NAVMAN 4410
I use a NAVMAN 4410 (BlueTooth), with Smart ST Version 2 maps, great little tool, it does have map issues, that's a down side of having fixed software maps because roads are always changeing and when you have europe wide maps there will be mistakes etc, I also use Brodit cradle I wouldn't not recommend this because it can't handle overhead power cables etc without feedback noise through the speaker, even with the XDA speaker cable disconnected, also when you connect up the speaker it does not fit the cradle correctly it's total crap. I am looking at other ways of fixing the unit in my car using the O2 power cradle by moding the internal wiring etc.
One other thing it's a little bit fiddly setting up the blue tooth bonding, if you follow the instructions on the NAVMAN website you shouldn't have any problems, just remember to get the 2 patches first before you attempt to 'bond'
Have fun chooseing,

thanks very much

Related

Which GPS unit for XDAII?

Could someone point me to a GPS unit which works well with the XDAII. There is a large choice, and i'm not sure what to go for. Going to be using Tom Tom 2.
Many thanks!
Faisal
Are you looking for a cable type or bluetooth?
I bought the TomTom package with their BT GPS unit and loved it. It worked great for about a week and was very handy for a 1,600 mile road trip. Then one morning it just simply wouldn't work right. Took a bit of time but I finally got in touch with a human at TomToms U.S. office and they agreed it sounded messed up and that I'd need to send it in for repair, which should be a one day turnaround.
Outside of the faulty device (no idea how common that is) the performance was very pleasing in general.
cruisin-thru said:
Are you looking for a cable type or bluetooth?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
looking for a either really but with preference to BT.
graah... was thinking about purchasing it with the gps unit, but can buy the software from a mate who's now using Navman. So looking for unit only.
GPS with TMC
Woohoo!
Managed to order a RDS - TMC unit today + soft ware ( Navigon) . I hope to get it next week.
using XDA2 with digitraveler bought from US - works great!
I have used many gps systems both with xda1/2 and ipaqs, the digitraveler was quite impressive but stocks are no longer available, I am at the moment using a Fortuna Gpsmart bt unit, this works as both a nmea at 38400 on cable and also as a blutooth gps, at the same time if required, I have found this gps to be extremely accurate, very fast and with the added bonus that it operates as a handheld standalone gps. I bought a cable to power the gps and then bought another cable which powers both the gpsmart and the xda, however if you want totally wireless obviously the gps can be battery operated although battery life isnt wonderful.

why does it take so long to get gps-signal?

hey guys,
i have a little question,
i just bought a haicom gps receiver and use tomtom 2 software. When i get out of my garage, it takes always more than 15 minutes to get a signal. sometimes during driving i also lose it. How comes?
when i connect my device to the receiver and power, i get something like "connecting to t-mobile MMS"...
oh, btw i have a MDA II with latest NL t-mobile rom. 1.60....
if anyone could help please...
thanks!
The gps should only take this long when first used, after that it should lock in a matter of a couple of minutes, to test the gps properly it is best to test it outside the vehicle, I think most Haicom mouse gps come with magnetic base so stick it on the roof and drive around, if it works better it is probably becuase your car has a metallised windscreen which blocks the signal. The message about connecting to the service provider is an error due to the com port being accessed i think, mine used to bring up activesync every time but once I canged my activesync settings on the xda to manual instead of auto sync it solved the problem.
so i should always drive around with my window open?? and stick the receiver outside the car?
I would agree with Crusin Through - I think your car may well have some form of heated windscreen or heat reflecting windscreen. What car do you have.
If when you do place the receiver on the outside of the car you do get good signal you can get a special anntenna that had an outside part and an internal part that you can fit permanently to the car so you can still move the thing about. Bit like a mobile phone antenna.
Alternatively as you have the XDA II you can get a bluetooth receiver an place it on the rear parcel shelf (I think the wider heating strips won't affect it - but can't confirm it.)
John, I wasnt suggesting you drive around with your window open, I was suggesting a way to ascertain if your windscreen is the problem regarding your blocked gps signal, by the way I have used a gps on the roof and the window will shut almost all the way however as the last post mentioned you can obtain a re-radiating antenna, this will solve your problem if indeed the windscreen is the culprit.
Re-rediating antenna - that's the word I couldn't remember :lol:
ok guys, thanks. i'll try with such an extern antenna.
thanks for your help
Before you spend your money on the re-rad antenna - try the thing on the roof - if this works then the antenna is your only real option if you want to continue with the thing in the front windscreen.
I'd hate you to buy the re-rad and then find it doesn't work.
Incidently what car do you have? (Does it have a heat reflecting or headted windscreen)
And if it works outside,
you still don't have to buy an external antenna, as normally the windshield have an area where is not metal coating...
try to check the manual of your car..
i own a toyota Camry 2002 model, it has indeed a windscreen etc...

Accessories list for the XDA Exec, with links to good deals

Hi all, just a quick question does the Xda exec have a cradle for it or is it USB cable connection for active sync only :?:
tia
No cradle yet from O2, although there's one on the Expansys website that'll be available in November: http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=126238&asource=127219
It's the car kit I'm waiting for. Now that I have a PDA that sits happily on the desk like an open laptop, a USB lead is fine for me I think.
See docking station here: http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/product/7862.htm
hope the keep that price range ....
jah said:
See docking station here: http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/product/7862.htm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
otherwise accessories would drain my pockets easily )))
Pretty reasonable price for the cradle though, normally they start off at £30+
Best regards lee
well, www.arkon.com do some Universal mounts (nb. Universal as in one-size-fits-all). I'm using the CM520 (I think - I'll check tonight) which I bought for my old ipaq 4150. It has 2 USB power connections on the bottom and a 3.5" speaker jack, with a speaker in the back. I have a usb to 4150 cable for it but I've just swapped with the usual USB cable that the XDA Exec comes with and it holds it pretty well. I'm a little tempted to add some velcro or something since the XDA Exec is quite porky, but I'll see how it goes for now. I don't know about handsfree though as it's not designed for it. I currently use a Jabra headset for the phone, Tomtom and a bluetooth gps for the satnav - this keeps everything charged and happy. I might get a bluetooth car stereo for the handsfree instead of the Jabra as it does chafe a bit during long journeys...
Does anyone know of any decent cases for the HTC Universal? I've seen a few at PDAir and Proporta, but I'm not 100% happy with them as I'd have to take the phone out of the case before putting it on the cradle.
M

TomTom: Worth it?

I still use my old XDA 1 (Himilaya) for sat nav (running TomTom5 - haven't upgraded to 6 yet) with a wired GPS mouse, so both the GPS receiver and XDA are always charging when the ignition is on/engine running. I leave all that kit in the car all the time. I've also got an MDA Pro (Universal) and am thinking of using that for TomTom instead because:
a) Take advantage of the data tariff on it and subscribe to Traffic Plus (or whatever TomTom call it)
b) I also intend to get a Parrot CK bluetooth add on for the car (allow the car speakers to be part of a speakerphone) so I can make/receive calls and also listen to WMAs whilst driving (I hate all headphones)
So, questions.
1) TomTom5 works really well on the original XDA 1 (no crashes, smooth scrolling, very responsive, etc). Will it work just as well on my Universal?
2) If using the traffic service (over GPRS/UMTS), will voice calls still come through OK? T Mobile UK
3) Would pretty much any BT GPS unit off ebay be OK?
4) How long do the batteries last before needing a charge on these BT units?
5) Are there any wired solutions, so I don't need batteries and the Universal could also be on charge? I'd much prefer that.
6) Is the traffic service good? I mean, does it warn/reroute you sufficiently in advance? Does it know, for instance, that some roads are always slow and avoid them?
7) Anything in TomTom6 worth the ugprade over 5?
Or should I forget the traffic (and still rely on the radio) and just stick to the satus quo, or maybe still get the BT thing for MP3/WMAs? Anyone got any experience of a similar setup to report? TomTom5 on the XDA is one of very few tech products with which I'm completely and utterly happy.
Can no one help on any of the questions?
Hi Xiasma,
I sell a Car Kit for £40, which sounds like it should do what you want.
http://www.mdapro.co.uk/shop/xcart/T-Mobile-MDA-PRO-Handsfree-Custom-Car-Kit-with-speaker-pr-36.html
It'll charge your phone and GPS at the same time, amplify the voice, etc. and comes with 3 different mounts to attach to your car. I haven't sold many and one person is complaining about people not hearing him when he makes recieves a call, although we've proved that the microphone is working correctly. See this thread for an in depth discussion on pro's, con's, etc.
http://www.mdapro.co.uk/phpBB-2.0.18/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=275
I have no experiance of other solutions, but I think that as you have problems with loudspeaker, you'll have the same trouble as the guy in the thread. The thread goes on a bit, but I think you'll find it usefull.
Any bluetooth GPS reciever should work well with your phone, but I'd advise going for one with a Sirf III chipset, people seem to find them much better than sirf II. I have some new ones due in next week around the £50 mark, which sound a better deal than any others I sell at the minute.
HTH
Dave
That's great, Dave, thanks. It's got a built in microphone, but does it have line out so I could have the sound going through my car speakers (ie for MP3 and the like)? That would be perfect. Well, almost, I'd prefer to mount the MDA Pro open with the keyboard underneath - I guess this won't allow that, will it?
How many hours use does a good BT GPS unit last between charges?
Hi Xiasma,
unfortunately it doesn't have a line out, but I've seen Y-adapters around for a few pence which could well serve the purpose you require.
As you wish to plug it into your stereo anyway, you don't neccessarily need an amplified mount. Herbert Richter make several suitable mounts and a body which will hold your device with the keyboard open. (Laptop Style) It has cutouts for most buttons, sockets, etc. So you could easily plug your phone in to charge and connect it to your stereo.
Heres a good GPS reciever, the manufacturer claims the battery will last 11 hours. I honestly haven't tested one myself, so I don't know how accurate this info is.
http://www.mdapro.co.uk/shop/xcart/GlobalSat-359S-Sirf-III-Bluetooth-GPS-Receiver-pr-42.html
HTH
Dave

connection - non bluetooth question/search for leads

bear with me on this one while I try to explain...
I have an o2 XDA Exec that has tomtom 6 on it
I want to use the phone/sat nav, while on my bike
I have got a Starcom Advance - http://www.starcom1.com/ that is all working on the bike
Now, I do not want to use bluetooth if I can avoid it....
The starcom has a seperate connector for the phone and for satnav. (Both 3.5mm jacks)
I think that if I can find a 3.5 mm double male lead then I am hoping I can just plug it into the xda and the starcom - but what lead do I need? (Needs to allow the microphone to work btw)
I am hoping that some kind person knows what lead is needed so I can source one from maplins etc.... or that it just will not work!
I have the same problem! I use the Intraride system, but it's exactly the same set-up as the StarCom (used to have one) The solution I found was something like the Ericsson bluetooth handsfrees. They come with a detachable earpiece, so you can connect the units to the intercom using the phonelead that should have been supplied in the intercoms box.
First option is the HBH-20, there is one on ebay now for next to nothing.
HBH-20 Ebay Clicky
I then tried the HBH-200, which is similar, but includes a CallerID function. Nothing on ebay, but here is a link so you can see what I mean:
Clicky
Both devices are the size of a box of matches, so no troubles there! What I did find is that both units can be querky with the bluetooth connection, (down to the phone not the handsfree and this was on the OE o2 ROM, and one of the cooked WM6 versions) and also the volume was a bit quiet. Solution I've gone with now, is to swap my SIM into a normal phone (Nokia 6310i and universal adapter) and just plug that in. I also had good results with the Motorola V50 which has a 2.5mm connection that will just plug straight in.
Hope you find something that works for you! Although if anyone knows of an adapter to allow normal 2.5mm handsfrees to be connected to the 3.5mm socket on the universal...I'd love to know too! I have already looked at the adapters from Expansys, but these only allow PC type headsets to be connected (ie those with a separate 3.5mm headset and earphone lead)
Steve

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