Sony Memory Stick GPS Module

[jono_dale]

Hi,

I was lucky enough to pick one of these up in Japan recently, but unfortunately all of the documentation and software is in Japanese.

Does anyone else have one of these devices and does anyone else know of any GPS software that will work with it (apart from Sony's own Navin' You Pocket).

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,


Jonathan Dale

[Elinor]

Good question. I was wondering the same thing. My need for a good gps was the reason I originally moved from a black and white pda to a color one. I hadn't heard about the Sony product you mentioned. Why do you not like it?
I'm currently thinking about just resorting to buying a separate gps for my car with larger screen and voice indicators. But would rather find a good system for my pda.

Elinor

[jono_dale]

Elinor,

It is not that I do not like the product, but as I said, all of the software and documentation is in Japanese.


Jonathan

[Elinor]

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for your response. Sorry, I didn't realize that the documentation and software... in Japanese that you referred to and the "Navin' You Pocket" were the same product. I don't know anything about what's available through Sony, since I've only owned my Clie for one week. I thought maybe the "Navin' You Pocket" was in English but so disappointing that it drove you to other products.
Hope something good (and in English) turns up quick for those of us in need of direction. :)

Elinor

[Mason]

I have a NR70V/J (Japanese model.) I expect that I am telling you things you already know, however, here is some information on this topic:

Included in the applications for this model are Map Cutter with a sample map for installation on a PC, and Navin' You Pocket for the handheld. All software is in Japanese and requires Japanese versions of Windows 98 or later, and Palm OS 4.

Navin' You comes enabled for use with the PEGA-MSG1 GPS unit. Using Map Cutter, maps, or segments thereof, are transferred to a memory stick. (Map Cutter will communicate with the memory stick as a USB device. It does not transfer maps and data directly to the handheld.) Once the files have been placed on the stick, you copy the map (and address data) to the handheld via a menu item in Navin' You. Now you may remove the memory stick and insert the GPS module, the unit is ready for GPS use.

I assume, but am not positive, that the output from the PEGA-MSG1 is ASCII (not DBCS,) thus it will be understood by non-Japanese models of NR70. Using the PEGA-MSG1 unit on a non-Japanese model requires the appropriate equivalents of Map Cutter, Navin' You and maps. I do not believe these are available from Sony.

Have you found any software and English text maps?
Have you used the GPS module?

I would be interested in hearing more about this. I want to use my GPS unit in North America and anything you can tell me would be appreciated. I know that I can connect to external GPS devices but am hoping to find a way to use my Sony without having to buy another GPS receiver.

Mason

[chriztopherkent]

I have been searching around on the internet and found little info about whether the gps unit will be offered in the United States. I am really interested in this product, so if anyone has any ino, it would sure be appreciated :D

Thanks,

Chris

[bobneal]

I have used the Delorme mapping software with my Palm and now my Clie and have been pretty satisified with the results. The new Delorme XMap for handhelds works well with my Clie although it does not have the Clie's high res capabilities (hi res must be turned off for it to work effectively. I connect my Clie to an Earthmate GPS receiver which I plug into my car's cigarette lighter (it also uses batteries).

All of this takes purchasing an Earthmate receiver, the connector for the Earthmate (it comes with a serial connector) to the Clie and the X-map software which retails for $49.95.

For further info you could go to www.delorme.com

[chriztopherkent]

Thanks for suggesting the Delorme GPS. I am going to look into that system. Could you give me some feedback on it (pleased w/ or not pleased w/).

Thanks,

Chris

[bobneal]

I've been using Delorme mapping software for the Palm since 1999 mostly have been pleased. The latest version of XMap has helped me on long trips and kept me from getting lost at least once and it gives me the capability to find addresses and map to them.

Biggest problem is that it takes quite a while to aquire the satellite fix and you almost need to be parked to acquire that first fix. I've had situations in which it takes 15-30 minutes to acquire a fix while driving.

I also think the Windows interfact of the X-Map program is not as intuitive as the previous versions of Street Atlas, but they've been pretty good with techincal support and bug fixes.

They still have some items they need to include in newer versions (like Interstate Exit info and rest stops) but I've generally been pleased with the product over the years and will stick with it.

[breakit]

I to have this unit, that I picked up from Japan, and because I do not understand Japanesse, its alsmos useless.

But I did get it to work with the navi in your pocket the japanesse version, but it took a long time to lock in to the sattelites, sometimes alsmost an hour, it will show you altitude, speed, direction long and lat, and how many sats you are locked into.

I canot figure out how to use mapcutter, for obvious reasons.

When I got this a couple of months back there was talk that this module was just realiosed in Europe, and it will be available in USA soon, well I have a feeling Sony just screwed us with this unit.

Breakit