Database Users

The best GPS mapping software

At least i've modified the Arkon support and now i've the GPS sensor connected via RS232 to my Qtek. It's working! And now?
What the better program to use in the car? Tom Tom? Destinator?
Support autorouting?
Any suggestion?
Thanx... M.

I use TomTom 3 with their own bluetooth GPS. Works great!!!
Additionally I use Checkpoint v3.2 (freeware) which is a great complement for TomTom (http://checkpoint.oabsoftware.nl/)
I tried Destinator 3 last month, but returned very quick to TomTom. I didn't like it at all.
/Oggi

Transportable GPS solution
Oggi - I see you use TomTom BT/Jabra BT250. Do you have any issues using the headset in the car at the same time as GPS? And does the TomTom BT GPS have a replaceable battery pack? Wouldn't want to throw the whole thing out when the rechargeable battery had had its chips...
I am currently considering buying a GPS. Software-wise, TomTom 3 seems pretty good to me, but I want to be able to use GPS in any car and don't want anything fitted permanently. Seems to me that the options are:
1. Get a BackPack, use SD slot for map storage and CF slot for plug-in GPS
2. Wait until GlobalSat adds memory to its SD-501 SDIO GPS http://www.easydevices.co.uk/products.asp?partno=EDGSATSD501 and use just the one slot for both functions
3. Bluetooth GPS - but I have seen in this forum many issues regarding simultaneous pairing of 2 BT devices, and I don't want to lose phone functionality, as mentioned above!
4. Bearing in mind that even a BT GPS needs power (and therefore a cable), bite the bullet and go for a wired GPS.
Any thoughts/experiences/other ideas would be welcome...
Gadget 8)

I had problems when I used ROM-version 1.52.00, but now I use 1.66.00 and it works great for me. My version on the Jabra BT-250 headset is "48B". I don't use the Pocket Bluetooth Tools (http://bluetooth.i-networx.de/index_e.html), just the TomTom GPS driver v3.03 and normal pairing of the devices.
Tips: Don't choose to assign a virtual COM-port when pairing the BT-GPS (unless you really need this). This had a negative performance effect on the display speed of the maps on my device.
I also have a wired GPS, but a bluetooth GPS offers many more options. When you leave the car you can easily continue to navigate by foot. TomTom can even optimize the trip for walking.
The TomTom BT GPS-kit comes with a small dockingstation where you can place and charge the GPS in your car. Pretty smart :wink:
The battery holds for about 6 hours on a full charge, which is quite enough for me.
I don't know if you can change the battery in the bluetooth GPS.
/Oggi

Re: Transportable GPS solution
Inspector Gadget said:
Oggi - I see you use TomTom BT/Jabra BT250. Do you have any issues using the headset in the car at the same time as GPS? And does the TomTom BT GPS have a replaceable battery pack? Wouldn't want to throw the whole thing out when the rechargeable battery had had its chips...
I am currently considering buying a GPS. Software-wise, TomTom 3 seems pretty good to me, but I want to be able to use GPS in any car and don't want anything fitted permanently. Seems to me that the options are:
1. Get a BackPack, use SD slot for map storage and CF slot for plug-in GPS
2. Wait until GlobalSat adds memory to its SD-501 SDIO GPS http://www.easydevices.co.uk/products.asp?partno=EDGSATSD501 and use just the one slot for both functions
3. Bluetooth GPS - but I have seen in this forum many issues regarding simultaneous pairing of 2 BT devices, and I don't want to lose phone functionality, as mentioned above!
4. Bearing in mind that even a BT GPS needs power (and therefore a cable), bite the bullet and go for a wired GPS.
Any thoughts/experiences/other ideas would be welcome...
Gadget 8)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The TomTom BT GPS does not have a user replaceable battery pack. It's made by Leadtek and their latest model the 9537 does.
Forget a CF or SD GPS, they don't perform as well as a wired or BT GPS. I use a BT headset and BT GPS without any problems. Most BT GPS will last for a min 6hrs on battery and some 12hrs+. Having said that, if you don't intend using it out of the car get a wired version, simpler and less issues although BT is pretty solid now.

Oggi said:
The TomTom BT GPS-kit comes with a small dockingstation where you can place and charge the GPS in your car. Pretty smart :wink:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TomTom in their infinite wisdom decided to discontinue the GPS cradle for their BT unit and it's no longer available even as an option

TOM TOM 3
does any body klnow if TomTom3 has a map for Canada? Please...
Appreciate your help with info...

No, TomTom do not have any Canada coverage, the best option would be Alk's CoPilot.

Griffog
Thanks for your helpful advice.
I am leaning towards the BT option now, but Leadtek rather than TomTom. I want to use the system in both my own and my wife's car (the family long-distance-mobile) but I know she would have a fit if I expressed a wish to wire anything into it. Even a cradle would probably induce an apoplexy (doesn't matter, she can hold the xda2 for 200 miles, no sweat!)
Cheers again, mate
Gadget 8)

No probs, if you're looking at the Leadtek 9537, just to complicate things! Rikaline also re-badge it as the GPS-6030 oh and Delorme have just released a version that has a logging facility called the DeLorme Earthmate Blue Logger GPS.

Which Bluetooth GPS receivers work flawlessly with Wizard?

First time buyer of GPS unit and I need help choosing the right one. Thanks.

Btw, has to work in the UK.

I wouldn't dare say flawless , but the last 2 times i went to GB i didnt experience any problems with my current GPS receiver which is the
Rikaline Bluetooth GPS receiver 6033
this model is generally 20-30euros more expensive than the standard ones but it uses an advanced chipset to even get fixes in buildings and tunnels and can maintain more connections at once.
Manufacturers Site

Cheap one from www.mobilefun.co.uk
http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/product/8590.htm
£40! and works a treat.
Probably not as good as the Rikaline or the Holux 236 which is by far the best i've tried but for they are nearly double the price
Even uses the same kind of charger as the Wizard so effectively you get a free in-car charger for you PPC thrown in.

I successfully use a generic Nemerix based GPS mouse from adapt. You can find these rather cheap GPS device in many varities (lots of OEM manufacturers) on eBay.
In conjunction with TT5.2 it works like a charm.

Any suggestions for a good light GPS to fasten in the helmet. I have plans to track my routes during mountainbike tours.

GPS...
What a topic...
I have spent some time investigating the options for me...
I am a newbie on the PPC front and I am after my first GPS set up too...
OK everyone points at TomTom as the best option...is this so?
Any feedback will be greatly received and if I do go for it, I will probably go for their bundle...
For those running TTN5 on thier Wizards, please advise the speed and any issues...many thanks...

Re: GPS...
Sunnychad said:
OK everyone points at TomTom as the best option...is this so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TomTom is also my #1 for road navigation.
What are the best choices for free-time navigation? Some candidates:
Pathaway, http://www.pathaway.com/pathaway3wm.htm, WM5 compatible?
OziExplorer, http://www.oziexplorer.com/

cant fault the holux 236

Nemerix
Hi,
I am using this GPS mouse (NEMERIX V3.0 Ultra Low Power Chipset). Simple installation, simple use, long battery life, cute size - my favourite!
U can get it e.g. here:
http://cgi.ebay.de/XAiOX-Bluetooth-...itemZ5848082313QQcategoryZ77359QQcmdZViewItem

Im using a BT77 Bluetooth GPS. It provides a really great signal even inside, however I have had problems with the wizard, in that I have to drop and then re-partner the device in bluetooth, everytime I want to use it, but Im currently thinking its the MS Bluetooth stack at fault and not the Device, anyone have a similar experience ?

Hi,
I already have the tomtom wired gps receiver which i use with my ipaq 2210. I know the receiver connector wont fit onto my wizard but is there any kind of adapter that will change it from ipaq to wizard (min usb i think).
cheers

Hi,
I already have the tomtom wired gps receiver which i use with my ipaq 2210. I know the receiver connector wont fit onto my wizard but is there any kind of adapter that will change it from ipaq to wizard (min usb i think).
cheers

Re: GPS...
Sunnychad said:
What a topic...
I have spent some time investigating the options for me...
I am a newbie on the PPC front and I am after my first GPS set up too...
OK everyone points at TomTom as the best option...is this so?
Any feedback will be greatly received and if I do go for it, I will probably go for their bundle...
For those running TTN5 on thier Wizards, please advise the speed and any issues...many thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi, i am using TTN 5 on my wizard and MKIII bluetooth GPS, i have used it without any problems, but saying that i had some problems installing it.
but after i updated my to 2.1. its works a treat.
Good Luck!

ferritt said:
Hi,
I already have the tomtom wired gps receiver which i use with my ipaq 2210. I know the receiver connector wont fit onto my wizard but is there any kind of adapter that will change it from ipaq to wizard (min usb i think).
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Afraid not. Wired receivers will not work on Wizard/K-Jam etc.. full stop. you need to get a BT GPS receiver.
I picked a cheap one up from www.mobilefun.co.uk for £40 and works a treat. 5 fixes even in car glove box

The Tomtom Bt Gps is the easiest one to connect to the wizard, other brands u may need to set comm ports in Tomtom navigator.
So far I tested Holux SIRF3, Tomtom MK2, Leadtek sirf3, all were working fine.

my Tomtom MKIII works perfectly with Wiz.

I'm using a BT880 picked up on ebay (new) for £30.
Works fine with my qtek (imate rom) and tomtom5.

Bluetooth GPS, T-Mobile MDA... May God Make This Thing Work

Ok I've pretty much tried everything, been browsing the boards for over 6 hours for solutions. I've tried everything and just flat out can not get my Bluetooth GPS to work with preetty much any software I've tried. Using the T-Mobile MDA USA model here with Windows Mobile 5.0.
I did the registry tweak and managed to get the GPS Icon in my connections section. Messed with all the settings there, no luck.
I'm using a Ambicom BT-GPS that I used to use with my IPAQ 6315. Worked flawlessly with IGuidance but no luck. The MDA see's the device, successfully pairs the device. But no matter what settings I try to use I just can't get anything good to happen here. Should I abandon the Ambicom GPS? Is it just not going to work with the MDA? Should I try other software? I'm not all about shelling out bucks for software that I'm not sure is going to work.
Is anybody out there using a working bluetooth GPS setup with the USA T-Mobile MDA? What are you using, what are you running and what hoops did you have to jump through to get it working? I don't mind spending a little bit of money if I know it's going to work.

You did not state which model ambicom gps receiver you have but have you tried the updated drivers here for wm5?
http://www.ambicom.com/support/installation/gps/index.htm
hope this helps

Sorry bout that, it's the basic 1.0 version, BT-GPS...
Apparantly they don't let me download it because I don't send them enough money. That only works with their version of the navigator which is basically the IGuidance software re-branded. I do however have the 2.1 version of IGuidance.

That may be your problem then - try to get wm5 drivers for your device - not sure where from.
I am not a gps expert but few of the readers have praised the holux 236 gps and works with the wizard - and has the new gps chip
see here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=44567&highlight=gps

For some reason, my first Holux GPSlim 236 did the same thing (Mapopolis this time). Surprisingly, an exchange did the trick. If you have a friend with a PDA, I'd suggest he try it too and see if it isn't a bad unit. That's the way I found out.
JB

I have had a huge problem with getting GPS software to work with my MDA... the only marginal success I had was when i got Tomtom Navigator working with my Holux GPSlim 236. At first it didnt work, and I thought I hit a road block. But I switched the outgoing Com ports and got it working. But then I realized that I only had the Great Britain maps, so i downloaded the California maps, but the software wont work. I gave up on Tomtom and am going another route. I really cant get it working. Here is the link where I got the software for Tomtom. All other programs wouldnt work because there is an incompatability with Windows Mobile 5.0. This file works. http://thepiratebay.org/details.php?id=3410079 Good luck.

Going a bit off topic (and not very helpful), but i was amazed to find out the BT Handsfree and BT GPS works at the same time
I'm dead happy to be able to talk and use TomTom at the same time. Everyone i asked said you cant use to BT devices at the same time. Great stuff.

Yes I do enjoy the fact that BT handsfree and BT GPS work in conjunction on my Wizard... really nice.
As for the original poster's issues. I use iGuidance with my Wizard (8125) and it was a bit confusing to get going at first. This is what I had to do.
1. Pair the GPS and the Wizard
2. Select the Com Ports tab and set up a new OUTGOING port, it should default to com6. I would uncheck the secure connection box as I don't think you have to have a secure connection to your GPS, but thats just me. If it doesn't work try checking it.
3. In IGuidance select the tools, GPS options, COM Port, and set it to com 6 just like it defaulted to com 6 in the settings above.
4. Tap the GPS icon and see if you have data streaming over the BT GPS connection. Hopefully you do!
I find that iGuidance is a bit strange in that it wants to hit the GPS on the port so it actively goes to the GPS it just does not sit there and wait so that makes things a bit strange. Also you most likely need the 2.1.3.2NA version on your MDA. All other 2.1.3 versions have an issue and won't display the 3D view at all on QVGA devices... its a known issue that they have fixed in this version. Annoying as the DVD did not have this version on it and I ran into the problem and was annoyed until I went to their site and found the issue fixed.

Compatible Bluetooth GPS Devices for Atom

I have TomTom software installed on my Atom, I've tried using a Polstar Bluetooth GPS unit to see if that would work but it fails to read the correct Comm port on the atom.
Does anyone know if this is compatible with the Atom, or of any other GPS devices (bluetooth or cabled) that would work?

Hi there
i am working with GPSlim236 from HOLUX and it very good and easy to install.

cool, thanks.
What's the battery use like if in use? The problem is that the lighter socket in my car is 'dodgy' to say the least, so the longer the life before i have to charge the better
(hmm...I predict being guided somewhere, losing battery life on GPS, and getting lost....SatNav at its finest.......)

The BT-77 (Nemerix chipset) from e-bay also works really well, especially considering the price. I have used this in Australia, UK and the US and have had no problems pairing it with the Atom.
Battery life is also good, as I've used it for a whole day with no sign of running out.

sometimes to connect GPS device, you need to create new OUTGOING port, and pareing the device

Thanks jeremy_elman, I will investigate.
Kropotov, I can get it to pair ok, and I have tried setting outgoing ports. The problem is that it won't allow me to set the outgoing port to the correct COM port that I need for the GPS. It comes up with an error.
I checked up on this from Polstar and they said to adjust registry settings. But even this doesn't work and they couldn't give me any information with regards to compatability. But I know the Polstar one I had works as it was working on an iPAQ 6340, installing it as a cable GPS device and setting the baud rate. The outgoing com ports on bluetooth could be set to the relevant ones for the device, and pairing was straight-forward.

Problem with GPS Reciver on Atom XDA with Tomtom
Hello, i've installed Tomtom 5.21 and the maps and everything is Ok. but i can't make the link between my gps reciver (Royaltek Star III) and the atom XDA. I've installed the partnership in the settings but it doesn't connect with the antenna. I've seen in my other pda (ipaq hx4700 and ipaq hx2790) that there is a bluetooth manager in the connection setting but there is non in the atom XDA. Do you know what's the solution ?
I've the same problem than you for the outgoing ports, i can't choose the one i want and i can't find the good port in tomtom gps settings.
Thanks

kropotov said:
sometimes to connect GPS device, you need to create new OUTGOING port, and pareing the device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same with u, kropotov. i use garmin gps10 with ATOM EXEC. work well and smooth.

dlawson5
it's very strange... i have all com ports free, and can choose all, include 8, that tomtom need. Do you have other bluetooth devices, pared with Atom?

I'm using a Garmin GPS10. To get around similar com port issues i install Franson's GPSGATE. A downloadable trial is available to try before you buy. The two advantages of this software solution is that you can nominate virtual com ports meaning you determoine the com port for the TomTom software and secondly you can use more than one GPS software package simultaneously. I run both Garmin Que (navigation) and OziExlorer (topographic and mapping) at the same time. You can't do this without GPSGate. Many bluetooth GPS devices drop their connections regularly. I find that GPSGate holds the connection better and reconnects quickly if it does drop. I highly recommend you try this before chasing around for different GPS devices.
John

Atom with BT GPS
I am using the Atom with the Holux GPSlim236 and it works like a charm.
Rated GPS battery life is 10Hrs and it uses the nokia 6xxx handphone battery so easy to charge and/or replace when battery gets old.
I had some problems using it initially 'cos built right into the Atom is a GPS management software that manages GPS connections apparently so that you can run more than one GPS application in the Atom and all the applications can share the GPS data. However I find that turning this on tends to lockup the GPS application (MapKing) and sometimes causes lost connections. TURN THIS OFF. Besides, I don't see myself using more than one GPS application (but that may change ! looking for a good track logging software - anyone knows one ?).
The other thing I noticed which makes the connection more reliable is to turn off the secure serial communication.
With those two settings off, works like a charm and no more problems !

O2 Atom with Holux GPSlim236 Bluetooth GPSr
Hi,
Not sure if this helps but I am able to get my Atom to work with my Holux BT GPSr using Garmin Que.
Here's the link to how I set it up : http://www.malsingmaps.com/forum/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=41060#41060
So far, it rocks!

O2 Atom with Holux GPSlim236 Bluetooth GPSr
Hi,
Not sure if this helps but I am able to get my Atom to work with my Holux BT GPSr using Garmin Que.
Here's the link to how I set it up : http://www.malsingmaps.com/forum/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=41060#41060
So far, it rocks!

HTC Tytn/ Cingular 8525 & blueooth GPS

I had a question regarding this devices bluetooth GPS capablities.
Is there any necessary software to install on the device to use it as a GPS screen?
My intentions are to buy a bluetooth GPS receiver and link it to the phone. There is no way on earth i would pay cingular 9.99 a month for GPS that is already provided free by the government.
Has anyone had any luck linking a generic bluetooth gps receiver with the device? And if someone could please direct me to the GPS software for the device if there is such a thing.

I use a Garmin GPS10. it comes with the GPS software. it runs about $120. works well but most people seem to perfer TomTom.
eith way ypu pay a flat fee for the software and GPS receiver.

I bought a GPS receiver QSTARZ Q818 and it's working perfectly on my 8525 using Google Maps !!! and except for the receiver ($75) everything else is free !!! .. easy to set up and to use. But there is no voice ...

herve64 said:
I bought a GPS receiver QSTARZ Q818 and it's working perfectly on my 8525 using Google Maps !!! and except for the receiver ($75) everything else is free !!! .. easy to set up and to use. But there is no voice ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bought a bt359 gps receiver for $99 from cingular and use live search (free) from microsoft. Has live traffic indicators and maps works great.
john

Voice?
Well I took the sucker punch and got the Tomtom...
Does anyone know where i would be able to download USA maps for the device?

I bought it - and took it back promptly... the GPS they sell only puts out Siirf protocol and not the NMEA. This caused only specific apps to work for me. Perhaps something was screwy on my phone but I could not get ViaVIsualEarth and GoogleMaps to function - but did not try Live Search.

I use the QSTARZ Q818 and it's working like a charm !!
feareddevil said:
I bought it - and took it back promptly... the GPS they sell only puts out Siirf protocol and not the NMEA. This caused only specific apps to work for me. Perhaps something was screwy on my phone but I could not get ViaVIsualEarth and GoogleMaps to function - but did not try Live Search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse