Using the HP HW6945 GPS built in Free?

Timber82 · 10-06-08, 08:40 PM

I remember reading a thread around here somewhere about ways around using PDA's built in GPS for free without paying a service fee or whatever, is there a work around for the GPS on the HW 6945, I am about to purchase one and this is my only hold up!! Thanks in advance!

bigtsr · 10-06-08, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by Timber82

I remember reading a thread around here somewhere about ways around using PDA's built in GPS for free without paying a service fee or whatever, is there a work around for the GPS on the HW 6945, I am about to purchase one and this is my only hold up!! Thanks in advance!

According to the reviews I have read after Googling "HW 6945" it appears
that the GPS on this pda is free standing and does not require a data
(cellfone) connection to be used,so it is free of charges. Try reading the
reviews here:

HP (Hewlett-Packard) Computer Reviews - iPAQ hw6945 PDA - FA745AA

Julie · 10-06-08, 09:56 PM

GPS is free, but the GPS radio is only activated when you open up an application that uses GPS, so you'll need to install some GPS software before you'll be able to use it.

For GPS to offer anything meaningful, you need maps - GPS works without maps, but the maps give you a frame of reference.

You can use GPS services such as Google Maps or Windows Live, but you'll need to have a data connection in order to reference the maps which are stored online.

You can purchase GPS software and maps and install them to your Pocket PC. Then everything you need will be installed on your device and no data connection is needed.

Timber82 · 10-06-08, 10:53 PM

Julie I read you have this phone, you still pleased with it, this GPS thing is my final hold up on it, I been on a RX3115 for the longest time, where is the IR sensor on this thing, I cant get rid of my remote control functionality. How much am i gonna be shelling out for the GPS software? thanks

Julie · 10-07-08, 12:04 AM

I really like my hw6925...I've had it for almost two years now and its working great!

Unfortunately, there is no IR port on the hw6900...in fact none of the WM5.0 or WM6.x IPAQs have an IR port.

I am using iGuidance GPS software on mine....There's quite a lot of software you could use...it really depends on how you plan to use it. To get started, check out the 10% discount that Aximsite/Mobility Site members get from buyGPSnow. There is some free GPS software, but I've never used any of it so I can't really vouch for any of the free stuff.

bigtsr · 10-07-08, 03:37 PM

"You can use GPS services such as Google Maps or Windows Live, but you'll need to have a data connection in order to reference the maps which are stored online"

You can also access these services via WIFI connections.

Julie · 10-07-08, 05:36 PM

WIFI is a data connection, isn't it?

But it's true, you are not limited to a GPRS/Edge/3G connection when using Google maps....in reality, though, you will probably use a GPRS/Edge/3G connection because usually when you are on the move that's the type of connection that moves with you.

Timber82 · 10-07-08, 11:01 PM

Wait, no IR on the 6900? Thats the whole reason I was gettign it over the ATT Tilt, I could of sworn I saw IR on there somewher.. back to the drawing borad if that is the case, looking for a PDA phone with IR and GPS intergrated..

Julie · 10-08-08, 12:57 AM

Okay, I'm wrong....I don't use IR much any more...on second look, there is an IR port on it. It is on the left side of it, down by the keyboard (but on the side). See #17 here.

What remote control software are you planning to use with it? I can test it out for you to make sure it will work....I've tried remote control software with some of my other IPAQs and the IR was not strong enough to make it worthwhile.

Sorry about that!

Timber82 · 10-08-08, 11:56 AM

Julie had no specific program in mind, I have been on the Ipaq RX3115 for aobut 2 years now, and that is my favorite function of it is the ability to use it as a remote control. I wonder if Nevo would work on this device given that the screen is Square vs the Rectangular display (in fact im wondering how many apps will be affected by this. I am not to worried though, I assume I eventually will be used to the smaller screen. Let me know if you have any further thoughts, Im not sure what you mean with your previous Ipaq experience and IR not working, also, I prolly will use it for my IR keyboard someday as well

Timber82 · 10-13-08, 10:42 PM

Just Ordered it, I hope to get it in a few days.. hopefully I didnt get screwed the price was almost too good $150 and the person had 100% feedback on Ebay for 200 items.. we will see.

Nother question about it, cna I "shut off" the phone function, say I decide to watch a movie on it, or use it for music, can I shut the phone function off so im not interrupted?

Julie · 10-14-08, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Timber82

Julie had no specific program in mind, I have been on the Ipaq RX3115 for aobut 2 years now, and that is my favorite function of it is the ability to use it as a remote control. I wonder if Nevo would work on this device given that the screen is Square vs the Rectangular display (in fact im wondering how many apps will be affected by this. I am not to worried though, I assume I eventually will be used to the smaller screen. Let me know if you have any further thoughts, Im not sure what you mean with your previous Ipaq experience and IR not working, also, I prolly will use it for my IR keyboard someday as well

A couple of years ago, I tried out several different remote control applications on two of my IPAQs (h1945 & hx2415). The software worked fine, but the IR beamers on the devices were not strong enough to make the software useful....I had to move too close to the television to get it to work...and that defeated the usefulness of using remote control software on my IPAQs.

When I researched the software, I learned that not all IR beams are the same....the rx3115 was marketed as an entertainment pocket pc, and, as such, was equipped with a pretty powerful IR beamer...unfortunately, not all IPAQs are equipped with the same powerful IR....so even though you were able to use your rx3115 as a television changer, you may not find you'll be able to use the 6945 as one.

Most pocket pc software nowadays is written to run on a variety of screen sizes. I have not had any problems running software on my hw6925. However, I still carry my hx2415, which has a 240x320 screen, and I use that pocket pc when I watch videos and do other work where the larger screen is desired. Videos run fine on the 6945, I just prefer a larger viewing screen.

Timber82 · 10-17-08, 10:51 AM

I am now the proud owner of this phone, and I a mvery pleased with it so far, I will begin looking to get rid of my 3115 soon.

Some slight extra confusion now that the phone is in my hands...

I havent read the instruction manual yet but I assume by what Ive read here that I need to download a program to associate with the GPS. Now can I download maps from Google, or would I only be able to use the maps when im live connected, I am only going to have WIFI, so i dont think this will be a viable option. But it would be cool if I could downloaded a route say im going on a trip or something, but I dont assume I could jsut type in a starting and a stopping point on the spot without dling the map right?

for instance I live in Tampa, so if I downloaded a Tampa map, lets say im going to somewhere tonight I never been could I leave work and just type it in somewhere or do i have to go online and download the map before I leave work?

I will likely start a thread over the next day or so in regards to the other phones things.. I noticed my headphones wont work in there.

Julie · 10-17-08, 12:02 PM

You won't be able to download maps from Google or Windows Live. There might be a way to do it, but it would violate the terms of agreement for those services. Those GPS products rely on a data connection. If you want to use maps that are stored locally, you'll probably need to purchase GPS software -- I have heard of some free GPS software, but I am not familiar with any of the free software so I don't know how well it works or what kind of GPS software it is.

Timber82 · 10-21-08, 03:43 PM

So it needs a constant connection? or just a connection to get the map and thats it? Like I can sit here on wifi and get whatever is needed, and then go on a trip, would that work or is it useless without GPRS?