Which GPS ?

[depfer]

I was considering a Pharos GPS PK012 for a new IPAQ 3955 which I haven't even received yet. I just read 3 bad reviews on this GPS. I also saw bad reviews on the Navman GPS 3420. Does anyone have a GPS for the IPAQ they like ? Does each of these GPS systems only run on the software supplied with them, or is other software compatible with them. Please direct me to what you think is good hardware and software.

Thanks, Jim

[michael.nock]

Take a good hard look at Destinator, its outstanding i've used others but this is the best. also they do maps that will enablke you to travel the world. beware cheeper imitations


best regards Mick

[dbuss]

I use Traveroute's Co-Pilot and have found it to be very good. I've not used Destinator but it appears that both systems have similar features and price.

[stevemw]

I have used Destinator for the past 6 months and am completely satisified with it. I'm in your general area and can verify that you should not have any problems tracking with it.

[brauckmiller]

I have the Co Pilot 3 Jacket edition. Just used it for a trip from my home in norther Mass. to Allentown, PA.

System:
iPaq 3835 with the Co Pilot Jacket edition.
512 MB SanDisk CF card installed in the jacket.
Version 1.2 of the iPaq 3835 ROM with EUU3.

Installation:
Pretty straight forward. No surprises.

Software Useability:
It takes a bit of getting use to, but all in all, not bad.
I did, however, run into a bug in the software. If I download my maps from my laptop to the CF card, Co Pilot blows chunks half the time with some really cool error messages like "Polydatmgr: error in memextract. Big Trouble 2." Navroute knows about the problem and says it has only effected a handful of people. The work-around is to download the map to the iPaq main memory.

GPS Accuracy:
According to Navroute, the GPS receiver is accurate between 3 and 5 meters. Can't really argue that. Seemed pretty good.
The only downside I saw was that the receiver took anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes to acquire the initial GPS fix. Don't know if thats normal, but thats what I got.

Accessories:
The special I got included the external antena at no extra cost. Its worth it to use it in the car...but its a major bitch to remove the thing once its installed. I think I broke mine, but not sure. Definitely need improvement on that in my opinion.
The car lighter adapter was very useful on long trips.

Hope that helped.

Good luck on your purchase.

Craig Brauckmiller

[dsava]

I've been looking around at GPS units for my 3870. I don't know if you have bluetooth, but if so, go to http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/emtachw.asp.

This bluetooth unit seems to get fairly good reviews (fast satellite pickup and no wires... rechargable batteries). The only problem is it doesn't come with software and runs $300+. Still I've had bad experience with aftermarket electronics for my car that have wires running all over the place. Anyway I've purchased the Navman and am planning on returning it to get the Emtac. I'll post again once I give it some good test runs.