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GPS: Use it (or get lost)

Posted on 30 Jun 2004 at 14:26

However, it's worth noting that while the software features vary a little from vendor to vendor, the underlying maps are basically the same throughout. The GPS map business is dominated by two vendors - Tele Atlas and Navtech. Every unit we've seen uses maps from one of these two companies, so the only variation will be how up-to-date the map set you're supplied with is. For example, Navman and TomTom use Tele Atlas while Socket uses Navtech. If the routing software fails to notice a one-way system or tries to send you on an illegal right turn, it's more than likely a problem with the underlying map, not the software accessing it, and any other product using the same maps will exhibit the same fault.

Wired versus wireless
Although the iPAQ jacket was the first really popular PDA GPS add-on, it's still going strong. Navman's latest SE jacket, as supplied with the GPS 3300 Terrain and GPS 3450, has updated internals but is still compatible with most iPAQs that support jacket add-ons and run Pocket PC 2002 or above.

Kirrio's Navigation Pack for Palm OS, on the other hand, comes with cables so it can be attached to a variety of PalmOne and Sony PDAs, although the Tungsten E edition, unsurprisingly, only includes a cable for the Tungsten E. Similarly, TomTom's Navigator for Palm is only compatible with the Tungsten T3. To use the CoPilot Live Pocket PC 4 CF GPS Quickstart, your Pocket PC will need to have both a CompactFlash and an SD slot, although both software and maps come preloaded on a supplied SD card.

Bluetooth has removed most of the necessity for proprietary cabling for GPS add-ons, although of course your PDA needs to have Bluetooth installed. The same device can support a variety of PDA brands, and even both Palm OS and Pocket PC. Navman's 4410 and 4460 use the same hardware, as does TomTom's. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean one package fits all - you'll still need to make sure you buy the right version for your PDA operating system, as only software for Pocket PC or Palm OS will be supplied. But at least the Pocket PC version will be compatible with any Bluetooth Pocket PC - you won't have to worry about getting the right connectors. You may find that setting up the Bluetooth bonding and communications port settings could be a headache, however, depending on the product and the extent of its help files.

Driving issues
As well as the technical issues of getting the software to successfully talk to your GPS via the host PDA, there are the more prosaic considerations of mounting the PDA so you can see it easily while driving, and keeping both it and the GPS add-on powered for the full length of your journey. You'll need to be able to see your PDA screen without taking your hands off the wheel, and you're safest if both it and your GPS device are powered from the car's cigarette lighter, to keep the battery charged.

Most, but not all, GPS kits come with car mounting accessories. The Bluetooth units don't necessarily need fancy mounting - they can easily be attached to the dashboard with Velcro. However, you'll want to mount the PDA securely and within both plain view and easy reach. Most kits come with a DC adaptor designed to power a PDA, but not all do. We've listed this in our table of popular choices. As most Pocket PCs will only last a couple of hours unplugged, and have a tendency to turn off after a few minutes too, powering the PDA is the priority. Navman's Bluetooth GPS devices notably only have one power output from the car adaptor, although the GPS will work for up to 30 hours continuously on one set of standard AAA cells, so you can leave it on battery power.