GPS with PocketPC

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

I was wondering, is it possible to buy a relatively cheap GPS receiver
so that it would be cross-compatible with all of these leading mapping
programs, or do these programs recognize their own receiver only?

I've seen USB GPS receivers go for as low as $30, now the trick is...
how to plug them into a pocketPC? (Axim X30 in my case) Any ideas?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Vileo,

It may not be as inexpensive as what you were trying to assemble, but
Bluetooth GPS has fallen in price and is the most flexible receiver with GPS
application compatibility --as long as you have Bluetooth embedded in your
device. If you have Bluetooth in your X30, you should be able to use a
Bluetooth GPS receiver with all of the leading GPS software: ALK CoPilot
LIVE 5, Pharos, TomTom, TeleType, iGuidance, Destinator, SpaceMachine,
Mapopolis, etc...

Best,

Shawna

--

Shawna Kelly
Microsoft Mobile MVP

Contributing Writer
Pocket PC Magazine
shawna@pocketpcmag.com
www.PocketPCmag.com
GPS Forum Moderator
www.PocketPCmag.com/forum

Co-Manager & Editor
Northern California Mobile Computing
http://sf.mobilecomputingsig.com
Mobile Community Moblog
http://mobilecommunity.textamerica.com


"Vileo" <Vileo@com.com> wrote in message
news:bvcep0t3rf968e80qllj88h43ng5f38o00@4ax.com...
> I was wondering, is it possible to buy a relatively cheap GPS receiver
> so that it would be cross-compatible with all of these leading mapping
> programs, or do these programs recognize their own receiver only?
>
> I've seen USB GPS receivers go for as low as $30, now the trick is...
> how to plug them into a pocketPC? (Axim X30 in my case) Any ideas?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Your Dell X30 does have BT, so those recommendations are valid. It does not
have a USB host capability so there is no way for you to use a USB GPS (as a
USB GPS. Some are configurable to use serial or BT as well, with additional
hardware). You should have the option of using a serial GPS plugged into the
sync port. Dell has been a little odd in their serial implementation however
and I would recommend ensuring that any serial GPS you consider,
specifically supports the X-30. You'll note that Dell sells a Pharos model
that works this way, on the X-30 accessories page. If Dell sold a serial
sync cable, or you could find one for the X30, then I'd say most any serial
GPS should work. Interestingly, they don't even list the serial cable they
used to sell for the X5 anymore. They don't list any serial sync cables at
all, that I can find.

So short of getting something like the Pharos, that plugs into the sync
port, and specifically list the X30, I'd agree that BT is really your best,
though most expensive, option.

--
Sven, MS-MVP Mobile Devices
"Vileo" <Vileo@com.com> wrote in message
news:bvcep0t3rf968e80qllj88h43ng5f38o00@4ax.com...
> I was wondering, is it possible to buy a relatively cheap GPS receiver
> so that it would be cross-compatible with all of these leading mapping
> programs, or do these programs recognize their own receiver only?
>
> I've seen USB GPS receivers go for as low as $30, now the trick is...
> how to plug them into a pocketPC? (Axim X30 in my case) Any ideas?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Vileo,

You may want to consider the new DELL GPS Navigation bundle:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna [...] e=external
(It is based on the popular Netropa OEM GPS software.)

Best,

Shawna


--

Shawna Kelly
Microsoft Mobile MVP

Contributing Writer
Pocket PC Magazine
shawna@pocketpcmag.com
www.PocketPCmag.com
GPS Forum Moderator
www.PocketPCmag.com/forum

Co-Manager & Editor
Northern California Mobile Computing
http://sf.mobilecomputingsig.com
Mobile Community Moblog
http://mobilecommunity.textamerica.com

"Vileo" <Vileo@com.com> wrote in message
news:5ltgp0huia9l61pcf1si3345kin9dkmnog@4ax.com...
> Thanks for the advice guys. It might be that the best option is to get
> the BT then, to save the hassle of buying a bunch of adapters to find
> out that it all doesn't work in the end.
>
> On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 13:07:45 -0700, "Sven, MVP-Mobile Devices"
> <sejohannsen@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >Your Dell X30 does have BT, so those recommendations are valid. It does
not
> >have a USB host capability so there is no way for you to use a USB GPS
(as a
> >USB GPS. Some are configurable to use serial or BT as well, with
additional
> >hardware). You should have the option of using a serial GPS plugged into
the
> >sync port. Dell has been a little odd in their serial implementation
however
> >and I would recommend ensuring that any serial GPS you consider,
> >specifically supports the X-30. You'll note that Dell sells a Pharos
model
> >that works this way, on the X-30 accessories page. If Dell sold a serial
> >sync cable, or you could find one for the X30, then I'd say most any
serial
> >GPS should work. Interestingly, they don't even list the serial cable
they
> >used to sell for the X5 anymore. They don't list any serial sync cables
at
> >all, that I can find.
> >
> >So short of getting something like the Pharos, that plugs into the sync
> >port, and specifically list the X30, I'd agree that BT is really your
best,
> >though most expensive, option.
>