GPS Talk - Let's talk!

JakeRich · 03-10-03, 07:57 PM

The idea behind this thread is to provide a place for GPSers to share Axim experiences--good, bad, whatever. Newbies and veterans alike. We want to hear from road travellers, walkers and hikers, Geocacher's and folks who just like to play with the technology.

So, join in, bring your problems and successes. The more the merrier. But please, check your flame throwers at the door, this is a friendly town!:)

commoved · 03-10-03, 09:04 PM

I've been PPCing since the Jornado 540 was introduced. Before that I was Palming. But when it comes to GPS, I'm a newbie. It's just so cool to drive down the road watching the map stay under my position, getting correct directions at every turn, and instantly knowing if I went the wrong way. So far, it's just been playing around while I drive to work. But the first trip to DC should make the whole thing worthwhile.

Like a lot of folks, I'm using Holux 270 and Mapapolis. I was so impressed with Mapapolis customer service. I fired of a Q on a Saturday morning. Somebody on the other side read my message, understood it, and gave an intelligent answer within an hour. I don't know if they're always that good, but I was impressed. These days, just getting somebody who can be bothered to read a question is pretty good.

Besides that, I like having free access to the latest reader program, so I can have whatever features they come up with. And the price of the maps strikes me as being very reasonable, if you buy the US bundle. But the cost of everything put together -- wow. I spent more on GPS stuff than I spent on the Ax!

I can't wait for my DC charger to come it, so I can leave the screen light on all the time.

LaSmooz · 03-12-03, 01:03 PM

I hope this is the correct place to post this.
I have a Garmin Earthmate GPS, left over from my (erh) Palm days and was wondering if there is a serial cable made to connect it to my Axim X5?
LaSmooz

JakeRich · 03-12-03, 07:56 PM

Does it come with a serial cable from Garmin, or can you get one? If so, you need the Dell serial cable, a null modem, a gender changer, the Garmin serial cable and you are set.

LaSmooz · 03-16-03, 11:56 PM

Thanks for the reply, I will try your suggestions.
At the moment, all I have is the Dell cradle and a USB cable for the Axim and yes, I have a serial / to Palm cable(s).
Do you happen to have a link(s) for the gender changer and the null modem? Thanks again!!!

JakeRich · 03-17-03, 10:01 PM

Radio Shack has both. Should be under $10, tops.

But now PC-Mobile is going to make specific cables to attach GPS, including both Garmin and Magellan, to the Ax. Look for the posts here.

SUNARISE · 03-24-03, 12:55 PM

I want to thank everyone for the inforamtion and this is what I did.

Bought a Magellan Sportrak Map $115 after rebate.
Buying the data cables from PC-Mobile.
GPS software mapping package is still up in the air.
A Seido Multimedia Mount $50
A Megellan Sportrak swivel mount $13

Caution: The Seido case and the Arkon case are not the same. The Arkon case requres the Ax port to be used for charging. The Seido case uses the AC Adapter port for charging.

The MAgellan Swivel mount will be on the dash along with the Seido mount and should work great.

The swivel mount will be removable to fit in the car or on my bike.

I debated all the information about buying a GPS CF card or other device and for me the following reasoning is why I went the way I did.

I wanted a GPS for hiking, camping, car (route directions), and bicycling. Except for the routing in the car I saw my ax as a liabilty due to the battery life with a CF card and the cost of replacing the unit if I took a spill on my bike or it got hit with a branch.

HIKING CAMPING:
This configuration will let me use the GPS while hiking and keep my Ax in my Otter case in my Molle pack and when I set up camp hook them up to see where I am and where I went. The GPS runs on simple batteries.

BICYCLING:
I can mount the GPS on the bike and do the same as when I camp. Take the Ax along in the otter case where it is protected and plug it all togehter when I am sitting along a trail or when I get done to see where I went.

CAR:
With the GPS on the dash and plugged in to the Axim I get all the routing I could ever want.

I cannot see the CF card version as a plus for anything but car /marine use.

JakeRich · 03-24-03, 01:13 PM

SUNARISE, you have made some excellent choices! I think you will be happy with the flexibility that collection provides. The one thing I am looking for is a way to secure the GPS on the dash so that when I take sharp corners it doesn't slide around. For now I am using the rubber grips on the side of the Magellan to jam between the glass and the dash to get some grip, but I am thinking about mounting something like The Clip Vent mount on a vent, with the button on the GPS itself. I don't think the plastic button will interfere with the antenna of the GPS and it would be very secure. I have also thought about just mounting one of the dashboard mounts on top of the dash and using the Clip button on the back of the GPS to hold it in place.

SUNARISE · 03-24-03, 01:49 PM

The Magellan Meridain and Sportrak have VERY nice car mounts and others that you can mount on a bike or other surface.
They snap in.

JakeRich · 03-24-03, 03:12 PM

Yeah, I know. My problem is that the Treasurer of my household is starting to wonder just how much this little toy is going to cost overall.

I have the little button for the back, I have the vent mount, so all it takes is the decision to do it. However, I'm holding off to see if somehow the money tree blooms early this season...

SUNARISE · 03-25-03, 12:12 AM

www.tigergps.com

Beat the lowest price of another dealer and his prices on accesories were great. After rebate a Megellan Sportrak Map will run $113.50.

The Sportrak Swivel mount was just $13

peterbright · 05-02-03, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JakeRich
Yeah, I know. My problem is that the Treasurer of my household is starting to wonder just how much this little toy is going to cost overall. I have the little button for the back, I have the vent mount, so all it takes is the decision to do it. However, I'm holding off to see if somehow the money tree blooms early this season...

Get the treasurer an Ax too.

BubbaJonBoy · 05-03-03, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JakeRich
The one thing I am looking for is a way to secure the GPS on the dash so that when I take sharp corners it doesn't slide around.

Hey! Radioshack just started carrying this pretty cool pad that does *exactly* that. This thing almost glues PDA's and phones to the dash. It's a sheet of rubber-looking stuff that has quite a grip when it comes to lateral movement. I'm pretty happy with mine in normal driving.
Regards,
Jon

gnomaad · 05-15-03, 06:39 PM

I have been using a Garmin GPS III Plus since they came out about 5 years ago and have been pleased with its performance in general. But about four years ago I bought the Steet Pilot to mount on my '98 GoldWing in anticipation of some heavy duty travel. Its better than the III Plus in terms of the screen size and the color display. But its a cripple in comparison to the old III Plus in terms of features. Now, nearly 60,000 miles later I have purchased an AXIM 5 with the intention of having more features and the obvious duality of use while on the road. Also hoping for a wider scope in "upgradability." My questions for the forum include:

1. Has anyone tried making the Axim a USB/power host? I intend to try mating Delorme's Earthmate, which is WAAS enabled, to the Axim thru the USB port availing myself of its power while at the same time powering the system with 12 vdc from the Wing thru the Axim's dc charge port. I intend to obtain Startech's female to female USB adapter and use a mini-sync cable from the Axim to pull this off.

2. Has anyone a recommendation for better mapping software than that provided in the bundle from Delorme?

I welcome input on this project.

Thanks in advance for your interest an replies. mikle @ gnomaad

commoved · 05-15-03, 07:12 PM

I'm afraid the only way you're going to make the Ax a USB host is to get the CF card with that function. I've heard the Ax chip set does support the USB host function, but I don't know whether Dell could activate it with some software upgrade, or whether there is some hardware limitation (such as connector pinout).