Handheld GPS

I had an iPAQ so installing Tom Tom was easy. I've got the Bluetooth GPS receiver which means that I can navigate on foot - very useful for London and the like, where I still have some finding to do once I've parked.

There are plenty of software packages about. I expect they're all much of a muchness overall. Whilst it's been an invaluable business tool, Sat Nav has turned me into an arrow following moron. Most of the time I don't actually know where I am (although I can quote the GPS coordinates)! It's good at recalculating, let's you add points of interest, and with a full post code bolt on (free) is pretty much unbeatable. 3D maps are very good and voice over is clear also.

On battery only the iPAQ is only good for a couple of hours. Not a problem in the car since it can be plugged into the fag lighter. One interesting finding for me was that my speedo overreads by 10-15%.

FWIW

Cheers

Harry

I need the pathfinding aspect as I have a total inability to read a map and then reel out the directions as I ride. Much as I might object to someone tapping me on the shoulder and pointing out the way I have taken too many wrong turns for me to find the alternative amusing.
Also - you get the "Frome 21 miles" signposts which suddenly go all local and give you a choice of Sudbury Under Mendip or Huish Episcopi - seemingly forgetting that you want to get to Frome. (Invented example - for any with local knowledge).

One of the reasons I now live near Frome is because it seems to be signposted from just about everywhere in the West Counrty. Long story - I won't bore you.....

With the exception of one route to the West Midlands, TomTom always suggests the most intutive route - the one I would take from experience. I wouldn't know if that applies in other areas where I don't have such good local knowledge. I know the East Midlands very well also - Tom Tom didn't act too dumb there either. Unlike some 'lazy' systems, if you deviate from the suggested route because you know better (or go wrong) it won't bottle out by yelling at you to turn around (usually). It will just recalculate quickly and relay the new instructions, with revised estimated arrival time.

Cheers

Harry

I have an Ipaq, Fortuna receiver and Tomtom 3. I got the Tomtom because it seems to be regarded as the most reliable. It uses addresses as opposed to postcodes, which I prefer because of the number of duff postcodes I'm given. It gives clear instructions on when to "turn left" where as other softwares apparently tell you to turn left at a road name. I would have thought this software would be better for a bike, as you're not going to want to look at the screen or look for a road name.

The free speed camera software I got with mine was:

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/uksafetycameras.php

You would be advised to only download "checkpoint" on Navigator 2. This will give you 2 warnings when approaching a camera and enable you to add your own.

Adam I know its for a bimmer but have a look, i'm lookin for somthing for the blade:
http://sawbridgeworth-bmw.co.uk/sm3accessories.htm

Had a look at the product but got the feeling it doesn't talk.

My search really comes from 1: a vague desire for a PDA 2: a vague desire for a speed camera locator 3: an unreasonable desire to emulate Bond in Goldfinger - GPS.

As I only ride the bike a small propertion of the time, a bike specific solution is too focused.

Agreed

Adam,
Check out this link.
I use the 750M Plus system and it is just wonderful...

Marc

http://www.magellangps.com/en/gpsAdventures/outdoor/mtnbiking.asp

Any developments on this - I believe Tom Tom have a new version of their software - strangely seeming to jump from version 3 to 5.

Tom Tom now have bike specific model

http://www.tomtom.com/products/product.php?ID=71&Language=1

quote:

Originally posted by Occean:
Tom Tom now have bike specific model

They sent me details of this but the problem so far has been to find a working example of any of these to "play" with.
I favour the hand held PC with add-ons approach as you end up with a multi function device with various future options.

Adam
Have a look at the current issue of Two magazine - May page 88 - about bike GPS, if not I could scan it and email, also there's a picture of you on page 112 getting your elbow down on the roundabout down the road from HQ.
Martin

I feel primitive - increasing numbers of people are finding their way to Salisbury with neat HP handhelds with TomTom. Silly TT for announcing version 5 so far in advance.

Adam,

Could you just please buy a damn pda with Tomtom?

Adam ! With there now being wasps, I feel I may have to buy one of these things just to know where you're coming from old Chap !

Fritz Von Horrendous Hangover to-boot

quote:

Originally posted by Berlin Fritz:
Adam ! With there now being wasps, ...
Fritz Von Horrendous Hangover to-boot

I'll have to keep my clips on.

quote:

Originally posted by count.d:
Adam,
Could you just please buy a damn pda with Tomtom?

Done - I was vaguely waiting for Tom Tom 5 and the delay made a combination of this, Bluetooth receiver and HP iPAQ 2410 seem good enough.

I look forward to wandering Salisbury with a new sense of direction, if not purpose.

http://www.totalgps.co.uk/TomTom-Bluetooth-Navigator-5-with-HP-iPAQ-2410.aspx for anyone interested.

quote:

Originally posted by Adam Meredith:
strangely seeming to jump from version 3 to 5.

That is strange! Who would have thought a company could miss out version 4 of a long running series?

quote:

Originally posted by reductionist:

quote:

Originally posted by Adam Meredith:
strangely seeming to jump from version 3 to 5.

That is strange! Who would have thought a company could miss out version 4 of a long running series?

quote:

Originally posted by Adam Meredith:

quote:

Originally posted by count.d:
Adam,
Could you just please buy a damn pda with Tomtom?

Done - I was vaguely waiting for Tom Tom 5 and the delay made a combination of this, Bluetooth receiver and HP iPAQ 2410 seem good enough.

I look forward to wandering Salisbury with a new sense of direction, if not purpose.

http://www.totalgps.co.uk/TomTom-Bluetooth-Navigator-5-with-HP-iPAQ-2410.aspx for anyone interested.

But will you be able to locate Swindon's new PFI hospital (9 miles out of town and scores of millions over budget, instead of doing up St Mary's ?) not too mention the excessive rape of pristine Wiltshire countryside at the expense of the taxpayer, for some good old well-connected GREEDY BASTARDS ONCE AGAIN:


Mind those Wasps our Adam

This thing rocks - it got me home from work yesterday - all half mile of the journey.

Are you really the "guiding light" at Naim?

I've heard that Our Adam is known there by many a Japey jibe ? innit