GPS for offroadin' - Lappy or PDA?

[DaiRees]

I have a dilema.

Yesterday I was attempting to drive along a byway accross a mountian top that obviously hadn't been driven for years and therefore wasn't visible on the ground. My navigation relied upon my ability to read an unfamiliar 1:50000 OS map whilst driving over extremely rough terrain with no identifying features without allowing myself (or the 4 vehicles who were following me ) to stray from the right of way.

'Twas at this point I realised just how good my GPS is. I have a program called Memory Map which is all the 1:25000 OS maps for the whole of the UK, which I run on my laptop, which is in turn running a GPS receiver. You never have to wonder where you are, because you are the flashing dot in the middle of the screen, and if you stray so much as 10 metres from the right of way you can see it immediately. It really is a great piece of kit, Unfortunately, yesterday it was in the house

The problem is that in order to use that lot in the car I have to get the inverter out, and the lappy's power supply, fire up the lappy, use the seatbelt to strap it into the passenger seat, connect the GPS up and stick the receiver somewhere it'll get a signal. Theres wire's running everywhere and no room for a passenger! I just can't be arsed!

So now to the dilema. Say I give myself a budget of £100 to sort this out.

Option 1, I could just about get a 7 or 8" touchscreen LCD, then do some kind of semi-permanent instalation in the zook, attach the lcd to the dash (quick release of course - I live in Merthyr!) then find somewhere to hide the lappy, inverter etc out of the way in the back of the truck or something (will the lappy run with the lid shut if it's connected to an external monitor & mouse??). Might even be able to get a docking station and a spare power supply for the lappy off eblag then it's plug and go. Very nice, very user friendly and very impressive too! . Only problem is I'm relying on that lappy for work at the moment.

Option 2, I could just get a used PDA and the correct lead to plug my GPS receiver into it, and run Memory Map on that. No need to "fit" it (just need one of those windscreen sucker jobbies), will run straight off the fag lighter, but it's very small and I know nothing about PDAs so don't even know what spec is needed to run the software.

Your advice and comments please

Cheers dudes!

[mjb]

The lappy-based idea seems a lot of work for very little gain!

A quick look on Memory Map's website reveals this as the requirements: "Pocket PC: Microsoft Pocket PC Mobile 2002 with Active Sync. 16Mb RAM. Additional Storage recommended", so basically any old PDA running windows mobile 2002 will do. You'll want a reasonable lump of storage too, so either look for one with a 256MB+ compact flash(CF) or secure digital(SD) card thrown in or heck just buy one separately - they're not that expensive

I'd go with a vent holder instead of a sucker - I find the sucker's can be a pain in the arse even on my 406. Some days it'll last all of 30 seconds after a "perfect" fitting, and others I can just throw the damn thing on and it'll stay put for months... I'd not recommend one for offroad use!

[xplosiv]

Hi,

Go for the PDA option, i have no idea which onw though.

How much was the memory map software? (as i do loads of walking and hate using OS map's)

It would be cool if you could use a PDA and GPS

Andy

[mjb]

I'd go for a "proper" handheld GPS system if you're walking - a PDAs battery won't last nearly long enough if you find you really need it!

[DaiRees]

Hmmmm, that's 2 votes for PDA.... Do you not think it's a bit small to be trying to look at maps on though?

How much was the memory map software?

I can't possibly answer that question Andy

[neildavies]

I've used a PDA and a laptop for routeing a few years ago. The laptop gives more detail, but is a right pain in the arse when you want to leave the car, for even a minute. At least with a PDA, unplug it and take it with you.

[xplosiv]

Do you not think it's a bit small to be trying to look at maps on though?

Not really, if you plan your route out on the laptop using that memory map stuff, then all you need the PDA for is to make sure you are following the route correctly. and to aid in route cahnges if something happens.

As for the battery life a new PDA will go for 4hrs +, and you can always get a cheap second battery for it.

Andy

I can't possibly answer that question Andy Wink

Could you PM a link to where you bourght the memeroy map software?

[mjb]

At least with a PDA, unplug it and take it with you.

That's where PDAs score big points over the standalone units (other than the nice big screens). They're getting smaller, but they're still awkward to shove in a pocket

[darrenwall]

(quick release of course - I live in Merthyr!)

thats so true , its needed round here

[neildavies]

oi oi oi, the pair of you, I won't have any dissing of Merthyr.

[DaiRees]

Dude, let me explain it to you...

My Pug 406 Executive cost me £13.5K
SWMBO's Focus Ghia cost £11.5K
My zook rag top cost £800

Which one lives in the garage?

It can be opened using the zip and started with a screwdriver, then before you know what's happening this....


.....turns into this!


Found that one whilst out laning on Sunday. She was stripped bare, no engine, transmission, axles, suspension, steering.....in fact the only thing that was worth salvaging was the fuel tank (that's in my shed! ). Obviously knicked to order. I was just really annoyed that the barsteward tea leafs had burned it out, could have done woth a few body bits, 'twas even the same colour

[darrenwall]

the bastards they should have their hands AND balls chopped off by the way that reminds me , there is a burned out 406 estate on the road between cwm cadlan and penderyn , ill check if it got an exhaust on it

[neildavies]

f*** me, I thought that was yours for a minute!

Have you thought about fitting an alarm to it (I'm being serious). Forget inside sensors, just a basic one that I used to fit to all my cars years ago. It'll detect motion and vibrations and electric current drain (interior light). Must be peanuts these days. I can't be too sure that I haven't got one here from my beige cavalier. I know I left one go when I sold my 405, but can't remember if that was a different one. I think one was a Moss alarm and I also had a sparkrite one.

[DaiRees]

Easy tiger! Nah it's not worth fitting an alarm, for a start the door switches don't work, (that reminds me I need a new interior light) and they're positioned such that you actually need to take the doors off to change them. Mind you the Sparkrite one I used to have on the Nova had an immobiliser too..... which you could bypass in about 15 seconds if you knew what you were doing..... hell I dunno!


Anyway let's get back to the GPS. I've pretty much settled on the PDA option, but I want one with as large a screen as possible, high resolution, and less than £100. I know HP do a couple with 3.8" screens at 640X480 but they're a bit steep. Anyone recommend anything?

[mjb]

It'll detect motion and vibrations

Is that a good recommendation for a soft-top? ;)

I know HP do a couple with 3.8" screens at 640X480 but they're a bit steep. Anyone recommend anything?

I love my HP hx4700 to bits, but you've just discounted that one... D'oh! Checked ebay prices? VGA really is niiiice Don't forget to make sure whatever you get has bluetooth too, else you'll have fun getting a decent GPS receiver for it. I can recommend the Globalsat BT338. Battery's good for over 12 hours, gets a fix straight away and the little rubber pads on the bottom of it are insane - throw the thing on the 406 dashboard and you'll really struggle to shake the sod off!

Don't buy a GPS receiver with a hinge though like the CF/SD slot ones. They break