Bluetooth vs. Wired TomTom GPS for Tungsten T3

Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops,comp.sys.palmtops.pilot,alt.satellite.gps (More info?)

I am shopping for a GPS receiver/software for my Tungsten T3. Found
TomTom has two offerings, one with bluetooth and another wired (links
below):

http://www.tomtom.com/products/pro [...] Language=4
(bluetooth)
http://www.tomtom.com/products/pro [...] Language=4 (wired)

The bluetooth navigator is $100 more than the wired one ($350 vs
$250). Other than the wire that connects the two devices, is there any
other significant difference that makes this big price difference? The
two devices have to go together anyway. I really don't care physically
connecting them together. I am not sure if the palm can still be
charged while it is physically connected to the GPS receiver through
its universal connector though. Will the GPS charger charge both
devices? I'd appreciate any help.

----Ryan.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops,comp.sys.palmtops.pilot,alt.satellite.gps (More info?)

In addition to what the other folks have said, BT has one other huge
advantage, that you won't realize until after you've had a wired one.

It is so much easier and quicker to use it, even in a car. Just turn it on,
throw it on the dash, start the app and your off. No dealing with routing
the tangle of wires and plugs on each end, which is a real pain. Also don't
forget the expense of the wired GPS is raised a bit by any cables you have
to buy to mate it with a laptop or handheld.

Dan

"ryanding" <ryanding@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ff594889.0406292055.2fabc88c@posting.google.com...
> I am shopping for a GPS receiver/software for my Tungsten T3. Found
> TomTom has two offerings, one with bluetooth and another wired (links
> below):
>
> http://www.tomtom.com/products/pro [...] Language=4
> (bluetooth)
> http://www.tomtom.com/products/pro [...] Language=4 (wired)
>
> The bluetooth navigator is $100 more than the wired one ($350 vs
> $250). Other than the wire that connects the two devices, is there any
> other significant difference that makes this big price difference? The
> two devices have to go together anyway. I really don't care physically
> connecting them together. I am not sure if the palm can still be
> charged while it is physically connected to the GPS receiver through
> its universal connector though. Will the GPS charger charge both
> devices? I'd appreciate any help.
>
> ----Ryan.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops,comp.sys.palmtops.pilot,alt.satellite.gps (More info?)

Your right, a wired system is cheaper, I totally agree.

The Tom Tom package Ryan is considering, is a complete package with mount
cradles that will deal with charging the Palm, wire and all, and if he needs
all that stuff and wants it in once package, either is a good solution.

One problem with wired systems is you have to deal with the GPS and powering
the PDA. I have a Palm TT and it would only run for about 4 hours before it
needed recharged with my old wired system. DeLorme now has a setup that will
work with the new USB Earthmate and power the PDA, but it is a wiring mess.
There were many times I didn't use the GPS, just because of the hookup and
break down wiring mess. The extra $100 bucks is well worth it, IMHO.

A very reasonably priced solution, but not as versatile as to power
supplies, but much more versatile GPS as it doesn't even have to be
connected to a PDA or laptop to track you.
http://www.earthmate.com/prod_bluelogger.asp?p=2
All he would need here is a mount cradle and 12v cable for charging the
Palm. To take full advantage of the Blue Logger, spend the extra $30 for the
SA2004 desktop app.

A very versatile power system and the GPS comes with a standard USB cable to
use with your laptop if you want.
http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/bluetoothconfig.asp

Just more choices.

Dan


"mikes" <mike@shutie.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:cbv01k$5ee$1$830fa795@news.demon.co.uk...
> But surely you'd leave the wired GPS mouse permanently wired up to the car
> cradle?
>
> If you want to be totally mobile then BT is a good solution. For all of
use
> who leave the GPS mouse in the car and just remove the PDA, BT is a
> waste - - a case of wireless connectivity..... but you need a wire to
charge
> it.!!
>
> A wired GPS mouse can be picked up for about £65 retail. The cheapest BT
> mouse is about 50% more expensive (unless someone can point me in the
> direction of a cheaper one).
>
> In this case it seems like technology for the sake of it!
>
> Or am I missing something here?
>
> "Dan Lawyer" <dlawyer@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:9ZzEc.18302$Pc.2183@fe1.texas.rr.com...
> > In addition to what the other folks have said, BT has one other huge
> > advantage, that you won't realize until after you've had a wired one.
> >
> > It is so much easier and quicker to use it, even in a car. Just turn it
> on,
> > throw it on the dash, start the app and your off. No dealing with
routing
> > the tangle of wires and plugs on each end, which is a real pain. Also
> don't
> > forget the expense of the wired GPS is raised a bit by any cables you
have
> > to buy to mate it with a laptop or handheld.
> >
> > Dan
> >
> > "ryanding" <ryanding@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:ff594889.0406292055.2fabc88c@posting.google.com...
> > > I am shopping for a GPS receiver/software for my Tungsten T3. Found
> > > TomTom has two offerings, one with bluetooth and another wired (links
> > > below):
> > >
> > > http://www.tomtom.com/products/pro [...] Language=4
> > > (bluetooth)
> > > http://www.tomtom.com/products/pro [...] Language=4 (wired)
> > >
> > > The bluetooth navigator is $100 more than the wired one ($350 vs
> > > $250). Other than the wire that connects the two devices, is there any
> > > other significant difference that makes this big price difference? The
> > > two devices have to go together anyway. I really don't care physically
> > > connecting them together. I am not sure if the palm can still be
> > > charged while it is physically connected to the GPS receiver through
> > > its universal connector though. Will the GPS charger charge both
> > > devices? I'd appreciate any help.
> > >
> > > ----Ryan.
> >
> >
>
>

Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops,comp.sys.palmtops.pilot,alt.satellite.gps (More info?)

"Martin" <martin@scotland.org> wrote in message news:<Q9YFc.3083$Fc7.527206@stones.force9.net>...
> Dan Lawyer wrote:
> > Your right, a wired system is cheaper, I totally agree.
> >
> > The Tom Tom package Ryan is considering, is a complete package with
> > mount cradles that will deal with charging the Palm, wire and all,
> > and if he needs all that stuff and wants it in once package, either
> > is a good solution.
> >
> > One problem with wired systems is you have to deal with the GPS and
> > powering the PDA. I have a Palm TT and it would only run for about 4
> > hours before it needed recharged with my old wired system. DeLorme
> > now has a setup that will work with the new USB Earthmate and power
> > the PDA, but it is a wiring mess. There were many times I didn't use
> > the GPS, just because of the hookup and break down wiring mess. The
> > extra $100 bucks is well worth it, IMHO.
>
> I have the GPS receiver plugged into the cradle, and the 12v charger plugged
> into the cradle. Hardly a rat's nest of cables!
>
> Do a Google search on the problems Tomtom users have had with Bluetooth.
>
> If you are only going to use the satnav in the car, there is absolutely no
> advantage to Bluetooth. More money, and another thing to go wrong.
>
> Martin

Thank you all for the info. So the wired receiver has no battery at
all? There is no way to use it other than inside a car?

Thanks,

----Ryan.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops,comp.sys.palmtops.pilot,alt.satellite.gps (More info?)

Yes, the Earthmate by itself has no battery. However, they make two
powerpacks that the Earthmate snaps into. One is with Bluetooth, and the
other without. Both have the same power options. They also supply cables to
connect with PDAs using these powerpacks.
- 12v adaptor
- AC adaptor
- Li-ion battery
- AAA batteries
http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/

Dan

"ryanding" <ryanding@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ff594889.0407052055.b9d7a26@posting.google.com...
> "Martin" <martin@scotland.org> wrote in message
news:<Q9YFc.3083$Fc7.527206@stones.force9.net>...
> > Dan Lawyer wrote:
> > > Your right, a wired system is cheaper, I totally agree.
> > >
> > > The Tom Tom package Ryan is considering, is a complete package with
> > > mount cradles that will deal with charging the Palm, wire and all,
> > > and if he needs all that stuff and wants it in once package, either
> > > is a good solution.
> > >
> > > One problem with wired systems is you have to deal with the GPS and
> > > powering the PDA. I have a Palm TT and it would only run for about 4
> > > hours before it needed recharged with my old wired system. DeLorme
> > > now has a setup that will work with the new USB Earthmate and power
> > > the PDA, but it is a wiring mess. There were many times I didn't use
> > > the GPS, just because of the hookup and break down wiring mess. The
> > > extra $100 bucks is well worth it, IMHO.
> >
> > I have the GPS receiver plugged into the cradle, and the 12v charger
plugged
> > into the cradle. Hardly a rat's nest of cables!
> >
> > Do a Google search on the problems Tomtom users have had with Bluetooth.
> >
> > If you are only going to use the satnav in the car, there is absolutely
no
> > advantage to Bluetooth. More money, and another thing to go wrong.
> >
> > Martin
>
> Thank you all for the info. So the wired receiver has no battery at
> all? There is no way to use it other than inside a car?
>
> Thanks,
>
> ----Ryan.