GPS options for a PDA (dell axim x50)

Tuffguy #2 · 02-18-2006, 04:45 PM

I'm looking to gps enable my pda. Never done this before so i'm looking at all of my options. The majority of the time it will be in my car (when i'm not in the office) and i would like but do not need to take the gps with me when i'm not in my car. For the rare bike ride where i have no idea where i'm going, i'd like to bring it along too.
I think this is my #1 option for cost and portability.
GARMIN cfQue 1620
http://cgi.ebay.com/GARMIN-CF-QUE-16...QQcmdZViewItem

About 220 bucks. Comes with software, car mount (which may suck since it looks like its for a big dash and I own a newer eclipse), no power plug, no aux speaker. Looks like a very portable unit. Also has 64mb of additional ram for maps and whatever.

This is the 2nd option i'm looking at.
http://www.arkon.com/aximmount.php
Its a little cheaper, comes with software, not as portable, but comes with decient car mount and powered speaker. I'm not sure about the software or the accuracy of the gps since it seems to be a bit 'no-name'. Gets good reviews though.

Does anyone care to share their experience on upgrading their pda's to gps?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jluu6r · 02-19-2006, 12:50 AM

check out dreesmonkey's post

anyone use a PDA with GPS Navagation???

Tuffguy #2 · 02-19-2006, 01:19 PM

Yeah,, i did read that thread before i posted this thread. Some good info, but my questions where more specific hardware, software and application oriented.

Tuffguy #2 · 02-20-2006, 10:20 AM

free boost for myself.

dreesemonkey · 02-20-2006, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuffguy #2

Yeah,, i did read that thread before i posted this thread. Some good info, but my questions where more specific hardware, software and application oriented.

It looks like the garmin may be your best choice just because of the portibility, I know mine would be a nightmare setting up on a bike unless I was good at wiring and could hard-wire it somehow.

I looked on Dell's site and they have the same software fro your X50 (mine is the X51), though the GPS receiver is a little different. While it may not be the best portability-wise, the NAVTEQ navigation software is some of the best you can get, from what I hear. I believe it's what a lot of the higher-end factory car navigation (I know my friend's Acura uses it, as did his RX-8) uses.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/P...066&brandid=56

Pricey, especially considering you're going to have to get some sort of memory card for maps. I put about 5 states on my SD card and it took almost 300M, so the 64M on the Garmin may only be one or two states (or it may also be less-detailed software).

I can say that the car-mounting kit with the Dell stuff is very cool, though. The mounting arm is very sturdy, the suction cup doesn't fall off, and the weight of the PDA helps it from moving around too much. Maybe I'll take a picture of my setup later so you can see what it's like.

Bottom line, I think if you really want to be able to use it with the bike as well, you'll pretty much have to get that Garmin (or something similar), the dell just wouldn't cut it.

dreesemonkey · 02-20-2006, 10:44 AM

Actually, here is the exact kit I have, it apparently would work with your X50 as well... Much cheaper than the bluetooth version mentioned above, too:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/P...=us&l=en&cs=19

Tuffguy #2 · 02-20-2006, 05:51 PM

Good deal. I will look into that setup. I've found that with most of the software they get decient reviews. I haven't heard anyone slam any software package.

dreesemonkey · 02-21-2006, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuffguy #2

Good deal. I will look into that setup. I've found that with most of the software they get decient reviews. I haven't heard anyone slam any software package.

I was looking at the Pharos GPS setup on Dell's site girst, so I went over to epinions to look at some reviews of it any a few people mentioned they liked the NAVTEQ software a bit more by comparison.

www.epinions.com

^^ handy site