Formula400

After MUCH deliberation and reading of AximSite posts, I have just purchased a GPS package - Globalsat BT338, Destinator PN and Arkon DM320 mount from buyGPSnow.com for use with my x50v. This was by far the most cost effective way for someone like me from the UK to purchase a system which incorporates a full set of European maps. I ordered it late on 21 December, and it was with me in the UK by midday 23 December - absolutely amazing. Well done the guys and gals at buyGPSnow.com. I hope someone can help me with the following questions ...

1) After reading posts here I managed to get the BT338, x50v and Destinator talking to each other. I notice that if I switch off the Axim while the systems are communicating (i.e. I don't close Destinator) then they will not communicate when I switch the Axim back on. It appears the Bluetooth connection gets lost and cannot be re-established via the Bluetooth Manager. It is necessary to soft reset the Axim, then the Bluetooth connection can be re-established. I noticed the same behaviour with the latest Mapopolis which I am evaluating. Is this normal, or do I have a setup problem?

2) Neither Destinator or Mapopolis display properly in the standard x50v Landscape configuration. The effect is of just one part of the display being drawn 3 times in horizontal bands. All my other programs display fine in Landscape mode. I thought that both programs were VGA aware for the standard x50v Landscape mode.

3) Program installation locations:
3a) I install most of my programs in BIS. This is where I installed Mapopolis. I plan to use a 1Gb SD card for GPS activities. I have installed the Mapopolis Demo maps to a x60 SD card; will Mapopolis work if I re-install it to the SD card. Will it work as fast as from BIS?
3b) I installed Destinator PN to Main Memory as recommended during installation from the Destinator CD. I would prefer not to have Destinator loaded there. I installed the TTS (text to speech) into BIS. This was probably a mistake, as TTS does not work despite being enabled. Elsewhere I think I have seen recommendations to install the program and TTS to an SD card. Should I be able to install both Destinator and the TTS Option to SD card and run it from there? Will it run as fast as from Main Memory?

4) Mapopolis runs well with half a dozen demo maps loaded. It appears to be snappier than Destinator PN. However, Destinator has maps for all of UK loaded. I like Mapopolis, but I would like to run it with the complete set of UK maps loaded. Will Mapopolis run slower if I had all the UK maps loaded?

5) Have had a quick look at fitting the Arkon mount to the windscreen of my 2000 Audi A4. Haven't yet found a suitable place where I believe the assembly is well supported.

6) Impressions so far, after limited use: BT338 is performing well. Mapopolis was easy to learn, provides a clear display and seems to route and re-calculate well. Destinator is taking longer to learn (less intuitive) and I have not had an opportunity to try its routing capabilities, but it looks promising. That's not very scientific is it?!!

Just a final note to say that I appreciate the help that can be found in this forum and look forward to your advice.

Thanks

Geoff

kabin

Originally Posted by Formula400

1)After reading posts here I managed to get the BT338, x50v and Destinator talking to each other. I notice that if I switch off the Axim while the systems are communicating (i.e. I don't close Destinator) then they will not communicate when I switch the Axim back on. It appears the Bluetooth connection gets lost and cannot be re-established via the Bluetooth Manager. It is necessary to soft reset the Axim, then the Bluetooth connection can be re-established. I noticed the same behaviour with the latest Mapopolis which I am evaluating. Is this normal, or do I have a setup problem?

I noticed the same thing. I think the Axim requires a correct sequence to iniitate/kill the Destinator. If you don't follow the sequence all bets are off on normal operation. To start: setup BT first and then load Destinator. To quit: Kill Destinator first and then BT.

Originally Posted by Formula400

2)Neither Destinator or Mapopolis display properly in the standard x50v Landscape configuration. The effect is of just one part of the display being drawn 3 times in horizontal bands. All my other programs display fine in Landscape mode. I thought that both programs were VGA aware for the standard x50v Landscape mode.

I've tried the Mapopolis demo and it didn't work in landscape. Their website mentioned they support landscape mode in selected operating systems.

JakeRich

Originally Posted by Formula400

After MUCH deliberation and reading of AximSite posts, I have just purchased a GPS package - Globalsat BT338, Destinator PN and Arkon DM320 mount from buyGPSnow.com for use with my x50v. This was by far the most cost effective way for someone like me from the UK to purchase a system which incorporates a full set of European maps. I ordered it late on 21 December, and it was with me in the UK by midday 23 December - absolutely amazing. Well done the guys and gals at buyGPSnow.com. I hope someone can help me with the following questions ... 1) After reading posts here I managed to get the BT338, x50v and Destinator talking to each other. I notice that if I switch off the Axim while the systems are communicating (i.e. I don't close Destinator) then they will not communicate when I switch the Axim back on. It appears the Bluetooth connection gets lost and cannot be re-established via the Bluetooth Manager. It is necessary to soft reset the Axim, then the Bluetooth connection can be re-established. I noticed the same behaviour with the latest Mapopolis which I am evaluating. Is this normal, or do I have a setup problem? 2) Neither Destinator or Mapopolis display properly in the standard x50v Landscape configuration. The effect is of just one part of the display being drawn 3 times in horizontal bands. All my other programs display fine in Landscape mode. I thought that both programs were VGA aware for the standard x50v Landscape mode. 3) Program installation locations: 3a) I install most of my programs in BIS. This is where I installed Mapopolis. I plan to use a 1Gb SD card for GPS activities. I have installed the Mapopolis Demo maps to a x60 SD card; will Mapopolis work if I re-install it to the SD card. Will it work as fast as from BIS? 3b) I installed Destinator PN to Main Memory as recommended during installation from the Destinator CD. I would prefer not to have Destinator loaded there. I installed the TTS (text to speech) into BIS. This was probably a mistake, as TTS does not work despite being enabled. Elsewhere I think I have seen recommendations to install the program and TTS to an SD card. Should I be able to install both Destinator and the TTS Option to SD card and run it from there? Will it run as fast as from Main Memory? 4) Mapopolis runs well with half a dozen demo maps loaded. It appears to be snappier than Destinator PN. However, Destinator has maps for all of UK loaded. I like Mapopolis, but I would like to run it with the complete set of UK maps loaded. Will Mapopolis run slower if I had all the UK maps loaded? 5) Have had a quick look at fitting the Arkon mount to the windscreen of my 2000 Audi A4. Haven't yet found a suitable place where I believe the assembly is well supported. 6) Impressions so far, after limited use: BT338 is performing well. Mapopolis was easy to learn, provides a clear display and seems to route and re-calculate well. Destinator is taking longer to learn (less intuitive) and I have not had an opportunity to try its routing capabilities, but it looks promising. That's not very scientific is it?!! Just a final note to say that I appreciate the help that can be found in this forum and look forward to your advice. Thanks Geoff

1. Normal. Don't do that. Stop the software first, then disable wireless and then power off the Axim.

2. Nope, landscape is a challenge on the X50 series. You can fix the problem with Mapopolis by turning on Mirror (Start/Settings/System/Mirror). Destinator PN works fine in Landscape on my X50v with WM2003.

3. a) I installed Mapopolis and maps to both an SD and CF card and it works just fine.
b) I have Dest PN installed to a CF card, runs just fine. TTS is there, too.

4 Mapopolis will slow down on searches with all of UK installed, but the screen display and mapping is the same. You can speed up the searches by setting the town first, then start on the street information.

5 and 6) Can't help with the Audi. Just try NOT to block your view of the road and traffic. I prefer a lower mounting point, resting the cradle on the dash to steady it.