It works!

DaveK · 03-31-06, 09:29 AM

I used my new BT-339/iGuidance yesterday. As I was walking back to work from South Street Seaport (NYC) it detected exactly where I was and even how fast I was walking. Way cool.

Later, while biking home, I stopped at the Unisphere (that big globe in Men In Black - see http://www.bigwaste.com/photos/ny/unisphere/). I was just about where the kids in the right on the photo are when I turned on iGuidance. Then I biked towards home with the Axim in one had, watching as iGuidance showed my course. Again, lots of fun. But I'll need a handlebar mount if I'm going to take it anywhere seriously.

Now, what blocks it? I can anwer that it doesn't work when inside a moving elevated train. I commuted by bike all week and am giving my knee a break today so I took the 7 train. I figured that I'd watch my progress on iGuidance but that wasn't working even though I held the BT-339 to the window. It also doesn't work where I'm sitting now, inside a glass and steel mausoleum.

Oh well, I'd best get back to work.

03-31-06, 09:37 AM

Ain't technology great? :approve:

saminegm · 03-31-06, 09:58 AM

Sure... I love my GPS too. But sometimes I think that it is very strange: I know perfectly where I am, because I've been there a million times before. Nevertheless I am staring at that screen telling me what I already now. Men are strange sometimes....

Tankman · 03-31-06, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by socpsy

Ain't technology great? :approve:

It sure is! I wonder 'bout watching the PDA's screen on a bike in the Big Apple? :)

Might be called Reckless Biking?

03-31-06, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by DaveK

I used my new BT-339/iGuidance yesterday. As I was walking back to work from South Street Seaport (NYC) it detected exactly where I was and even how fast I was walking. Way cool.

Later, while biking home, I stopped at the Unisphere (that big globe in Men In Black - see http://www.bigwaste.com/photos/ny/unisphere/). I was just about where the kids in the right on the photo are when I turned on iGuidance. Then I biked towards home with the Axim in one had, watching as iGuidance showed my course. Again, lots of fun. But I'll need a handlebar mount if I'm going to take it anywhere seriously.

Now, what blocks it? I can anwer that it doesn't work when inside a moving elevated train. I commuted by bike all week and am giving my knee a break today so I took the 7 train. I figured that I'd watch my progress on iGuidance but that wasn't working even though I held the BT-339 to the window. It also doesn't work where I'm sitting now, inside a glass and steel mausoleum.

Oh well, I'd best get back to work.

Work...what is that??? When it comes to AximSite...work plays second fiddle!!!
That's cool it's working for you. Not to sure about the where it doesn't work part...sorry.
But have a great day anyway!!!

04-01-06, 12:15 AM

I'm jealous. I want that exact same set up.

photomaniac · 04-01-06, 12:30 AM

I also love my GPS... I have a GPS 10 (bluetooth)... problem is that battery life isn't that great on the Axim with an 1100 battery.. better to use the AC adapter... I guess on a bicycle you better have a couple 2200 batteries around. At least on my motorcycle I have an ac plug like my car :)

The awesome thing about my GPS 10 (and maybe others as well) is that it will tell me the EXACT time I will be arriving at my destination. It is so amazing how it works and is so accurate! I guess it calculates where you are located and knows all of the speed limits on route to your destination. However, the destination time will change slightly depending on if a light lasts longer than it should, excessive traffic, or not driving around the speed limit and maybe other factors... otherwise it is so close to the time of when you actually arrive that it is so scary! (whether you are walking, biking, or driving!) So I love bringing it EVERYWHERE, even to places I've gone to before just to see how long it takes... pretty amazing!

solara · 04-01-06, 01:38 AM

For a bicycle, wouldn't it be great to have a generator that is hooked up to your pedal/chains so that as you're pedalling, you generate electricity to power your accessories?

Definitely some possibilities there....

coach_ng · 04-01-06, 10:09 AM

how many watts does the bt device use?

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question658.htm

bicycle generators have been around for ages!
tire generated power - http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/bottle.html
wheel/hub generated - http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/l...ator-hubs.html

04-01-06, 10:14 AM

A lot of the commercial buildings have glass that will block the signal, which also blocks sunlight so that it prevents the heating in the summer. I can only get one or two radio stations inside of my building and no gps. metal is good for blocking the gps also. but my bt339 works in my basement of my house. pretty awesome

Pocketbrain · 04-01-06, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by saminegm

Sure... I love my GPS too. But sometimes I think that it is very strange: I know perfectly where I am, because I've been there a million times before. Nevertheless I am staring at that screen telling me what I already now. Men are strange sometimes....

True! :approve: I admit I do the same silly thing.
DaveK, as long as you are surrounded by metal, your signal will be degraded. Try placing your GPS unit near a south-facing window.
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