Snellgrove

Im thinking about buying a (reasonably cheap, but willing to pay a fair bit) GPS system, but its confusing me.

I live in the UK, and it seems most of the systems built for Axims, are US!

can, I buy any GPS system and get UK maps, and it'll work? or, do I specifically buy a UK GPS system, and the software that comes with it, will work fine and probably come with UK (and europe no doubt) Maps.

I would prefer to buy a system that is specifically built for the Axim, (Much like those NavMans for the iPaq - I wish Navman did Axim, they look so cool! )

cheers for any help.

bonecracker

Hi Snellgrove

Try www.computer-components.co.uk they have cheap GPS hardware, I think at £70. They work from a Big Yellow Box storage, but thier stuff is good. They recommended to try Tom Tom software, that works for UK.

vmlopes1

I live in the UK, I have the following, Axim basic, 128mbCF card, Tom Tom2 navigator, saphire pro gps, pro-mount.

Get tom tom2 you wont be dissapointed!!! Have been using it for 3 weeks no prob's no hangs nothing. Download checkpoint POI software and it will even warn you of speed cameras.

If you need to anything regarding tom tom 2, let me know.

PDP

Thanks to vmlopes for recommending Tomtom2. I too am looking at a GPS system here in the UK, and had concluded that Tomtom2 was currently the "best" system out there, especially its POI "capabilities" ;-) with CheckPOInt or GPSassist.

However which hardware route (no pun intended) should an Axim user take. Assume that SD slot is taken with a memory card.

1. Go for TomTom2 package which includes cabled GPS receiver. Advant: should all work together. Disad: lots of cabling and not that portable (if at all due to power demands)

2. TomTom2 package but with bluetooth GPS. This addresses the disad's above but means that you must also buy a BT CF card. If so, does anyone have any recommendations for a (cheap) BT CF card that will work the TomTom BT GPS?

3. Look at just the TomTom software but with a third party cabled GPS unit. Any thoughts as to units? Would this give better performance than the TomTom package, and would it be any cheaper?

4. As 3 but with a GPS CF card. Again any recommendations, but understand the CF GPS's are power hungry and can be problematic in cars to ensure that they are able to get a good fix.

I am minded to go option 2, but this is more down to my own ignorance over what works with what, so any comments would be gratefully received.

thanks

PDP

vmlopes1

PDP, I purchased the Royaltek Saphire and tom tom2 software seperately, 2 reasons.

1. cost, it was cheaper this way (i like the look of the saphire better than the bundled receiver that comes with tom tom2)

2. I had heard good reports about the Saphire and have not been dissapointed, very fast TTFF and have never been below 3 sats in built up areas, averaging 5-6 most of the time.

I would definately recommend it, it is also fully waterproof & magnetic should you want to mount it on the outside of you car, works just fine on my dashboard though.

Victor

welshrabbit

I have TomTom for the UK, storing the the whole UK map on a 128MB SD card. I am using a Holux GM270 Compact Flash GPS. which cuts down cabling to simply connection of cig. lighter to the Axim. I have it on a vent mount and this gets 5 or 6 satellites.

The whole thing is brilliant.

WR.

PDP

Victor

Thanks for more info on the Royaltek - now had a quick look at pocketgps (see that you have also posted there in the past) and the review is good. This certain looks interesting if I go the (many) cable route. Thanks

PDP

PDP

Welshrabbit

>Holux GM270 Compact Flash GPS. which cuts down cabling to >simply connection of cig. lighter to the Axim

This also looks a very good option - especially if you are getting that number of Sats locks from a vent mount position. Just one question (and this might go for all CF GPS cards) do you need to be hooked up to the cig lighter to power the CF card. If not, do you have any idea how long a fully charged Axim might last while running TomTom and the GPS card?

Thanks

PDP

MM3AWM

I also have the Tom Tom II with a 256Mb SD card...originally purchased a 256Mb CF card as told SD card would be too slow for TTII, I have tried the maps on both cards and there is no difference is speed. I have the GPS Tom Tom II that plugs into the cigar lighter socket for power and the GPS receiver sits on my dash hidden behind the tax disk holder.

Satellite pick up is great here in Dundee area and I get on average above 6 received.

I got mine from totalpda.com in Glasgow via mail order and delivery was very prompt next day.

The 256Mb SD card was the best buy aroung from mkbatteries.co.uk and service was cool from on-line order late one afternoon to delivery at 7am next day.

Pity I cannot get the TOM TOM II GPS unit to work on MS Pocket Streets as I find the 2002 map slightly more up-to date than TTII's.

This is the fist route planner I have tried with GPS and I am very impressed it got me to my destination first time I tried even with all the roads that I found were closed on part of my route and the diversions.

__________________

MARTIN HIGGINS - MM3AWM
LICENCED AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR

DUNDEE. U.K.

**********************
Dell Axim X5 Bought 30/6/2003
Dell TrueMobile 300 Bluetooth CF Card
256Mb SanDisk SD Card
Tom Tom USB GSP System

welshrabbit

PDP, the Holux gets it's juice from the Axim, so there is no separate charging. As to the "life" of the combined unit from fully charged, I'm sorry I can't help. I believe you can get a abttery attenuator, or something like that??, to stretch the run-down time. Perhaps somebody else has ideas on that.

Cheers.

WR.

TuffCheez

Tom Tom II sounds good, but it looks like the maps don't cover Northern Ireland. Sorry to hijack this thread, but anyone know if theres a system/map covering Northern Ireland?

Thanks in advance.

planeteer1975

Hi, I have ordered the Compact Flash GPS from Computer-Components, and am waiting for that to arrive along with the Axim, can anyone tell me if they have used this GPS product with the Dell Axim X5 Handheld - 400MHz.

I want to use the GPS in the UK so that I can have the confidence to go places on my own and feel ok about navigating.

I have probably gone in like a bull in a china shop and ordered the wrong kit, so any advice would be gratefully received!

This is the link to the GPS Compact Flash that I bought.

http://www.computer-component.com/co...s.asp?catid=54

Analogik

This message is aimed mainly at vmlopes1 as I believe he had the same problem that I am experiencing, but I'm open to ideas from anyone. Basically I have an Axim (basic), and a Royaltek Sapphire, but whenever I plug the sapphire in the Axim slows down and hangs. I read that it is something to do with the way the axim tries to start using the port as soon as it detects that something is plugged into it and therefore the gps software should be started before plugging in the sapphire, however for me, this doesn't seem to work. At least, it doesn't work with pocket streets 2002, (seems strange as this is the bundled software), I am going to get a copy of tom tom 2, and hopefully this will resolve the problem, but I'd rather find a way of making it work now before shelling out for tomtom2. Any ideas?

Snellgrove

Well, this thread seems to have been quite a success, in a way. lots of people exchanging Ideas!

im certainly going to look more into, TomTom2, which I wouldn't have looked into otherwise, (was warned away from it) and stuff.

Once im driving (september 18th if the test goes well!) I'll order it (whatever system i choose to go with) and all that.. and post my findings here!

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sly

do any of the software have voice directions?
also, can you hear the direction clearly through the axims speaker?.
the speaker doesnt sound that loud or clear to me.

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