What to buy - PDA/GPS (SatNav)?

[Kentish]

I'd like to get my paws on a SatNav system but looking around, a good solution appears to be use a PDA since it has greater functionality (hence more versatility) and can be loaded with software such as Destinator or TomTom6 and can be updated with a later version at a future point in time.

For example; Acer offer a PDA n35 with 3.5" touch screen, GPS ready and bundled with Destinator software for around £130, including car mount and charger. Sounds a bargain but is it any good?

Well, as I understand; the Acer n35 I speak of can be a little slow due to it's CPU capabilities but runs fine with Destinator software. The downside is that Destinator software appears to be a little basic and not always accurate. You can of course buy the excellent TomTom6 software but the CPU apparently hesitates a little.

The trouble is I'm confused about which PDA's have built in GPS receivers as I don't fancy lugging too many devices around and plugging in several items which can be a bit of a pain; granted many are bluetooth now but I guess they're not solar powered and if they were they'd have limited battery life in murky old England!

To that end, is there a source of information anywhere on the old WWW where I can sit and ponder PDA's/GPS/SatNav until my little hearts content?

Or, can you advise on your own experience with such devices?

[Plotloss]

I've got TomTom 6 on my phone and use a GlobalSat BT338 bluetooth reciever.

I reckon theres 10 hours running time on the GPS between charges and its been utterly faultless.

[Kentish]

How do you find a phone screen, most aren't as large as a PDA?

Choosing a PDA with GPS looks a bit of a minefield!

[Plotloss]

Its a phone/pda thing (MDA Pro) but before that I had TomTom 5 on a SPV 500 Smartphone

The key with choosing a GPS reciever is getting one with a SiRF Star III chipset like the Globalsat, the performance increase is huge over the previous chipset. Other than that they are all much of a muchness.

For software stick with TomTom, there are others but TomTom is fantastic

[Kentish]

Thanks Matt; much appreciate your advice & I'll look into the GPS specs of the PDA's I look at.

Cheers,
K

[Kentish]

I mentioned all this to Mrs K last night and she caved in and told me she has bought me one of the top of the range NavMan new N series units (had to sneak a peak at it) and it looks damned good

So, the PDA plan is no longer!

No surprises for Xmas now though!

[_deano]

I have the Garmin M5 which is a PDA and a GPS unit, runinngin Windows 5. The unit itself is great for the PDA side of things, but it's quite slow re-mapping compared to a Tom Tom one (the missus has one). If you need just the GPS side of things i would get a GPS only unit. I'm looking at a Tom Tom for xmas as i want GPS re-routes quicker than what my current PDA can do.

[Kentish]

Thanks for the feedback; looking around the web it appears to be a common problem with PDA satnav. So I'm pleased Mrs K has gone for a GPS only unit for me. Plus I probably wouldn't have much of a need for the other functions of a PDA tbh.

[CommanderJameson]

I use TomTom 5 on my SPV M600 with a GlobalSat BT-338 GPS unit - works a treat.

The SPV has a screen that's plenty big for navigation.

[Tripps]

Having had two dedicated units and one PDA I'd go for dedicated every day of the week, they just to one job but they do it well.

The added versality of a PDA means it's likely to be doing more and thus more likely to go wrong. Much as I like the idea of using my PDA phone for everything, it would just be too much, all it would take is a call/text/e-mail/reminder to pop up in the journey (such as a reminder or call about the meeting I'm being navigated to) and I'd suddenly have to mess about getting rid of the message so as to see the navigation screen.

[bigdods]

I have an Ipaq 2210 with Tom Tom v5 and a tom tom bluetooth GPS jobbie. Ive had it a few years now (started with TomTom v3) and I wouldnt be without it. On the ipaq re-routing is fast, virtually zero delay and the battery on the GPS receiver still gives me about 6 hours even after 2+ years of constant use.

Having said this I would probably go for an all in one tom tom next time just for the convenience and having less wires.

[plasticpig]

I have n Ipaq HW6915 Smartphone which has GPS built in and comes with TomTom. Very happy with it and means I only have to have one box for everything mobile.

[davidd]

I have a dell axim x30 (the better spec one) and tomtom5 with a wired controller.

I've been running tomtom for about 2 1/2 years and doubt I could cope without it now....

D

[thescamper]

Ipaq HX2790 PDA with generic unbranded bluetooth gps receiver bought from fleabay with TomTom 5 works brilliantly. GPS receiver uses nokia rechargeable battery and nokia charger. Wouldn't be without it now.

[blueyonder]

See my response here www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topi to a similar question on the 'decision, decisions' thread.

[Kentish]

All sorted now, my wife bought me (for xmas but she caved in and told me ) a Navman N20, it's the new range and has the latest siRF III or whatever GPS, I only got it today but had a quick play. It also has navigation by NavPix (photos of your locations). It has POI's and fuel stn's and back on track feature after guiding you to the forementioned or even when you get lost and make a wrong turn.

I have a fairly new house and it found it by post code and I was sitting in a new car park off a new roundabout and it located me no problem and gave me the postcode of the address just behind me. Mobile phones all have poor signlas here but the GPS signal was perfect.

Very easy to use, touch screen for the set up and buttons for key basic actions whilst driving.

I can't give you a full low down as I've not really used it properly yet but it looks pretty damned good and wasn't overpriced (from about £230 I think).