If you've been wondering about GPS...

Damager · 03-01-03, 05:49 PM

...and car navigation using your Axim, go for it. I just got the Holux CF card unit and Mapopolis, and to say I'm imressed with the result would be a HUGE understatement.

I've rented cars with expensive, dedicated GPS and navigation systems, and none have been as easy to use or accurate as this combo. I drove around part of the day today, and the directions were VERY accurate, the positioning was great, and the battery drain was much lower than I had anticipated.

Great combo!

aximtoo · 03-01-03, 10:16 PM

Damager,
Please elaborate. Where did you buy the GPS combo mentioned?
Aximtoo

WindWalker · 03-01-03, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aximtoo
Damager,
Please elaborate. Where did you buy the GPS combo mentioned?
Aximtoo

You can get the Holux CF card at any number of places....but if you hit GPS Passion I believe you can get a discount...

Mapopolis you must get from.....well, Mapopolis!

Damager · 03-02-03, 12:53 AM

Go to www.mapopolis.com for the mapping software. I bought the GPS and holder from Semsons via an auction on EBAY.

mialutz · 03-02-03, 05:59 AM

http://www.semsons.com/holcfgpsrecw.html Semsons has it with mapopolis for $194

Can't beat that unless u use the GPS discount too....

commoved · 03-02-03, 11:04 AM

Yes, Semsons has a combo deal. But it's not with the top-of-the-line Mapolis maps. The maps in the combo deal don't include voice instructions or automatic re-route if you go off course. You can updagrade. If I remember, it's an additional $55. Or you can to the the site they give you in the Holux box and get $5 of the Mapopolis package of your choice.

Or, Mapopolis has a "pre-order special" for the Pocket PC CD-ROM that includs the vent mount. No way to tell how long that will last, now that the CD-ROM is shipping.

To make things more interesting, the CD-ROM does not include the POI database, which is separate and must be downloaded.

Also, there's a new Holux card coming (I think it's the 280?) that is supposed to have a lot more sensitivity. Semons is taking pre-orders.

It's all in what you want, I suppose. Personally, I decided to go for the vent mount and Holux 270 from Semons. I want to play around with some of the Mapopolis maps before I decide on the software. I must say, Semens has great prices and fast service.

Just as a point of interest, there is some misinformation about Mapopolis. You can download maps for a year, but you don't automatically get updates, even if the maps are updated durring your year. (You can upgrade for a pro-rated fee.) I heard the next map update will be in mid-March, so maybe I'll wait a couple of weeks and see what happens.

No matter what your decision, it seems it's hard to lose. The GPS stuff is finally ready for the big time. Enjoy!

Damager · 03-02-03, 02:41 PM

Good information, but I don't understand your comments on Mapopolis subscriptions.

My understanding is that I purchased a one year subscription to download maps. If the maps are updated during that year, I just have to redownload them. If this is NOT the case, how could they possibly keep track of everyones subscription dates and map versions?

JakeRich · 03-02-03, 03:28 PM

The one year subscription to Mapopolis is to download any and all maps you want to for a year from the version that existed when you subscribed. That means when a new version of the maps is released, you cannot download them unless you upgrade to that version, in which case the year starts over. They do give a reasonable credit for the remaining quarters on your original subscription.