Using Dell Axim 51v for GPS and media playing purpose?

yandi · 12-25-08, 04:39 PM

Hi, from what I know is that the Axim 51v is a very powerful and durable PDA. I want to buy one for the chief purpose of using it with GPS and playing media files (flash movies to be exact) using TCPMP. For the GPS purpose, I was looking for a system that would have a voice instruction telling me when to prepare to turn, what the speed limit is etc... (I do not know what GPS equipment/software would allow me to do so, but I'll use this sparingly and will not leave the Axim out in my car, though). For playing flash movie, I think I would be playing for the maximum of one continuous hour, 4 to 5 times a day (which would probably drain the battery out very quickly). I want to know if the Axim 51v can be used for such purpose, and would that damage the machine a lot?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

johnhu_2005 · 12-25-08, 06:08 PM

The x51v is great for GPS. You would need some kind of Bluetooth receiver. Right now, I have a GPS 10 from Garmin. (Reviewed here, Official website here). But it seems Bluetooth drains batteries pretty quick.

The GPS software is another issue. Garmin Mobile XT is included with GPS 10. It has voice instructions and finger-friendly buttons. Another product, iGuidance, can be found here. I have never used iGuidance, so I can't really give you any opinions on it. Personally, I have never seen a program that tells you speed limit. Reason being that the signs can change... So, be on the lookout for those Speed Limit signs. If you find a GPS program that does that, be sure to tell me!

As of movies, it is perfectly fine to watch it for some time. I have let a movie run on loop for 3 hours straight and it seems fine to me.

. Battery drain is a lot slower than using BLuetooth. So, Axims are perfectly fine for both usage.

~John

yandi · 12-25-08, 10:24 PM

Thanks, the speed limit thing was just an example, eventhough I did hear about it. What's about a wired GPS system instead of bluetooth? I still feel that the bluetooth signal can go dead at the worst time possible. Thank you very much.

chrisjc · 12-25-08, 11:30 PM

I have to agree about Bluetooth. I have a Dell Bluetooth headset that works great around the house, but I keep wired headset available for when BT drops in the city centre. I'm thinking that having the same thing happen when navigating with a GPS could be bad. A buddy has a Garmin GPS that fits in his CF card slot. Works real good and now you only have 1 piece to worry about. Sorry, I don't have a lot of info on that, just that they do exist.

jevans64 · 12-26-08, 12:00 AM

I am using an Axim x50v as a GPS. I have an external Bluetooth GPS receiver ( GlobalSat BT-338 ) that is no bigger than one of those small Motorolla Flip-phones. I have the extended battery pack and get about 10 hours on the Axim and the GPS receiver runs about 15 hours on a charge. I use Tom Tom Navigator 6 with updated maps. TT6 does have speed limit information and tells you how fast you are going but that is a feature I hardly used. TT6 doesn't announce any street names, it just says " turn left / right at next exit. "

MY GPS receiver is several years old and there are probably newer versions out now and I haven't updated to Navigator 7 yet.

I bought my GPS stuff from here since they gave MobilitySite members a discount.

Bluetooth GPS, GPS Data Logger, GPS for Palm, Laptop, Blackberry, PDA, Mounting kit for Garmin, Mio, TomTom - buy GPS Now

yandi · 12-26-08, 12:44 PM

The initial money for the equipment/software aside, what else do you need to pay to keep your GPS up to date? I heard some GPS costs $200 to update the map or something. Thanks.

johnhu_2005 · 12-26-08, 04:02 PM

Well, the cartography maps need to be bought. If you buy "Garmin GPS 10 Deluxe". It includes a copy of the North American street maps for navigation. Look at Garmin.com for maps.

JakeRich · 12-27-08, 11:18 AM

Moved to the GPS forum.

BT is usually pretty reliable. There are serial receivers (wired) but they require external power to operate, which means you can only use them in your car. BT is more portable, so you can walk around with it.

The bigger problem in "urban canyons" is the GPS signal bouncing and being blocked by the buildings, causing the fix to be lost or inaccurate. In that kind of environment I "preflight" my route pretty closely so that if I lose the fix, I can still navigate myself to get out of the canyons.