By Seann (Seann) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 01:07 pm: Edit

I went to my local Comp store today to see what GPS unit I am able to tap into my laptop. They told me that there was no such thing? True or not? Any recommendations on a unit that can tap into a laptop?

Thanks Much

Seann

By Robert Mann (Oldscout) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 01:16 pm: Edit

There

go here:
http://www.garmin.com/

By John Cinquegrana (John_C) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 01:16 pm: Edit

Map data can be incorporated into the unit using a data cartridge or by downloading the information directly from a CD to the GPS unit.

http://www.garmin.com/aboutGPS/manual.html

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 01:19 pm: Edit

Go back and LAUGH HARD at that clerk. Nah, but go back and ask to speak to a clerk who knows their head from a hole in the ground.....

DeLorme makes a GPS that ONLY plugs into a laptop to work, and they package it w/ their software. FYI, browse http://www.delorme.com

"Most" GPS units have an interface for computer useage. Many can even be plugged into a Palm, too (w/ the appropriate interface).

Another good site for info is http://www.garmin.com

Read up, all you need to know about GPS is available online....


-L

By Guy on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 01:27 pm: Edit

They were probably think of a PCMCIA card for the laptop. I honestly don't know of any GPS PCMCIA cards. You only need a serial connector and/or a USB adapter on your laptop and nearly any recent GPS unit that supports serial communications. Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan, etc. all support serial communications.

By Discosaurus (Discosaurus) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 01:30 pm: Edit

I'd like to switch from using my laptop to running a decent PDA - takes up less space.

Anybody have any suggestions ?

keith
discosaurus

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 01:32 pm: Edit

It seems like the better GPS units have better map capability than the PDA units. But, if you already have a GPS and a PDA, then you're not investing much.

I'd start w/ DeLorme's site, and go from there.


-L

By RVR OVR (Tom) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 01:34 pm: Edit

Keith,

What setup are you using for your laptop? I want to do that as I plan to use the laptop for viewing movies and such as well...

Tom

By Robert Mann (Oldscout) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 01:47 pm: Edit

GPS Receivers Compatible with TOPO! CD-ROM's

Supported GPS receivers for use with PC-based TOPO! State Series products, TOPO! GPS and Trailsmart products only.

Garmin


eMap
eTrex
eTrex Summit
GPS 12
GPS 12XL
Older 12/12XL
GPS 12CX
GPS II
GPS II+
GPS III
GPS III+
GPS 38
GPS 40
GPS 45
GPS 45 XL
GPSMAP 175
GPSMAP 230
StreetPilot
StreetPilot Color Map
ETrex Vista*
Etrex Venture*
ETrex Legend*
Eagle/Lowrance


Accu Nav Sport
Eagle Explorer
Eagle Expedition II
Eagle Map Guide
Eagle AccuMap
Eagle AccuMap GPS
Eagle UltraMap
Global Map 12
Global Map 100
Global Map 1600
Global Map 2000
Pilot Global Map Sport
Global Nav 12
Global Nav 212
Global Nav 200
Global Nav 310
LMS 160A
LMS 160 Map
Magellan


Magellan 315
Magellan 320
Magellan Map 410
2000XL
3000XL
4000XL
Meridian XL
Trailblazer XL
Tracker
ColorTRAK
NAV DLX 10
NAV 6000
NAV 6500
NAV 6510
GSC 100


http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/topo/

By RICH on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 01:49 pm: Edit

Seems wasteful to buy a laptop to use with a GPS, unless you already have a laptop. The Delorme is good stuff if you do have the laptop. I used it for work, and it worked great. Has to be the cheapest GPS anywhere. I currenlty use a GARMIN Street Pilot for all my GPS needs. I have this mounted on the DISCO dash for great viewing, plus no need for mounting/storing a laptop. I download the map data to the GPS from the home pc. Works great, even in heavy tree canopy.

By RVR OVR (Tom) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 01:56 pm: Edit

Rich,

I already have a laptop, so I want to get the cheapest GPS with a basic display possible as I will use it with the laptop 99% of the time on road. For off-road, basic waypointing is fine for me.

The street pilot is nice. That is the on-road functionality I am looking for but don't want to shell out the price for one. So, a basic GPS with good laptop software that can do the voice routing is what I am looking for.

Tom

By RVR OVR (Tom) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 02:01 pm: Edit

I already have a laptop. I am looking for a cheap GPS with a basic display for waypoints while off-road that can plug into my laptop to provide the same capabilities as a street pilot on road. I am going to have the laptop mounted anyway. Is there such a GPS/software setup out there?

Tom

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 02:04 pm: Edit

Tom,

I was given a copy of Street Atlas long ago that came with their cheapie GPS. I've got a laptop from work, and the two are great together. Usually, you're paying for features, not accuracy, if the unit is under $600. When you make the jump into thousands, then you're getting more accurate.

I use a lot nicer GPS units at work, but for on-site surveying (Trimbles), not w/ a vehicle. About any of the Garmins should work fine.

-L

By Erik Olson (Jon) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 02:16 pm: Edit

Is there a GPS antenna that I can hook directly into my laptop (e.g. roofmounted) or do I have to purchase a complete receiver?

I'm already using a Handspring Visor and Magellan Companion for waypoints, elevation, speed, heading, time etc. and would rather not purchase yet another receiver.

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 02:21 pm: Edit

FAIK, the roof-mount units are just antenna that need to plug into a receiver, then into the laptop.

The DeLorme one that I have is pretty close, though... it's a "dumb" receiver. No buttons, no screens, it's just a box that you throw onto your dash, and plug into your laptop. That's why it's so cheap.

Hmmm..... now that you mention it, it seems like there'd be a market....

I'll see if I can find anything.....

-L

By Seann (Seann) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 02:39 pm: Edit

If any of you have a laptop that you are looking to use in your disco, chack out JottoDesk.com
I got that site from Greg Hren, awsome stuff, I ordered mine today and will have it on friday.

Seann

Thanks for all the input, what gps unit would you take to tap into a laptop?

By Seann (Seann) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 02:44 pm: Edit

Quick question, has anyone tried the delorme unit? CompUsa had that for 100.00, worth it? Or what?

Seann

Hey even delorme sells Jotto Desk!

By Discosaurus (Discosaurus) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 03:09 pm: Edit

Tom, I use a Garmin GPS48 with external preamp/antenna and a IBM ThinkPad 600, running DeLorme software. It works GREAT, except it takes up too much space.

I would like to run some sort of decent mapping software on a color PDA, connected to the GPS48. That way only the PDA needs to be attached to the dash top.

keith
discosaurus

By RVR OVR (Tom) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 05:35 pm: Edit

Keith -

Delorme'e Road Warrior package works with a PDA, however, you end up getting their GPS with it. Maybe you can just buy the software?

What kind of PDA are you running? Microsoft Pocket Streets works with ones running CE.

Tom

By Erik (Eriks) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 10:03 pm: Edit

I've got the Delorme earthmate. It came with their street atlas USA and Solus Pro. The solus is the program that adapts to the palm. I use it with a palm 3c which is color. The palm isn't the fastest about automatically moving the map to coordinate with the GPS, but it does work. I tried it on my friends B & W and it didn't look too good. On the laptop it is great. you can look at just street maps or just topo or both. It also has the option of 3D which is really cool. All in all I would say it is worth the money for laptop use but if it is strictly for palm use(compact) I would go with a Garmin unit.

By Seann (Seann) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 10:06 pm: Edit

So the Delorme is a good unit? Does anyone know if the Garmin GPSMAP 76 can tap into my laptop via MetroGuide, etc..?

Seann

By Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 10:09 pm: Edit

I have used topo USA with a magellan and you hook the GPSS to your PUTER and then it plots your course out onto a map that you can make topo or flat or lots of things it is a cool thing I would like to get but I am POOR

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Wednesday, December 12, 2001 - 11:45 am: Edit

Long night last night, long story, followed by a funky morning...

SO, to catch up...


I've got a DeLorme, one of the older ones. It was given to me. It's fine if you have a laptop, and don't plan on hiking w/ it.

Seann, go to Garmin's site, it'll tell you all about your unit.

When I buy one, I'm going to go w/ a Garmin, most likey, unless something else can beat it hands-down for the money.... Brunton might be able to do it...

Haven't used a PDA w/ one yet, so I can't give lots of help there. I wouldn't buy a PDA just for GPS use, there are GPS units out there w/ better screens and features. But if you have 'em already, it'd be worth looking at IMO.

-L

By RICH on Wednesday, December 12, 2001 - 12:46 pm: Edit

I would definitely recommend the delorme product if you do have a laptop. Very cheap, but works very well. It really comes down to personal preference, but really, how much outta the truck will you be using the GPS? IF you need a GPS for hiking/etc, then delorme is not your answer. Go with a Garmin. Otherwise, delorme is great for navigating.

By Seann (Seann) on Wednesday, December 12, 2001 - 03:49 pm: Edit

Rich,
How accurate is the delorme unit? What software are you running on the laptop with the unit?

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Wednesday, December 12, 2001 - 11:05 pm: Edit

Software I'm currently using: Delorme's Street Atlas. Not a bad program, but it doesn't have contour lines. If I was going to pay for one, I would like contour lines...

The Delorme is as accurate as any other in this price range, given that you're using it on the dash (the window is going to cause a little bit of multipath signalling).

If you get a different GPS that can use an external antenna, then you can mount the external up on top (along the roofrack, etc.), then you'll reduce the amount of scattered signal you'll have. But, the dash-mount will be good enough to have you really close.... You'll see where you are on the map w/in a very reasonable area (i.e, when driving along, it'll keep you on the right road easily).

-L