Question:
Im interested in buying a GPS navigation system..an external plug and play device. Any suggestions on a good brand and model? Im looking to spend up too $500. Any help would be appreciated.
Answer:
I recomend a Pocket PC such as the Dell Axim x50v. Maybe a X30h to fit your budget better. (about 300)
In combination with a bluetooth GPS. A bluetooth GPS just makes life easier with fewer wires. The Globalsat BT-338 seems to be the most popular GPS model, but you can't really go wrong with the GPS. Some people are all about the Sirf3 chipset, but the Sirf2 chipset GPS I have isn't all that bad. Sirf3 chipset has the biggest advantage of being able to keep a lock. For example, you will loose the signal with a sirf2 gps when you drive into a parking structure while the Sirf3 has a pretty good chance of keeping the signal. (about 100)
Software, well thats up to you. I like Tomtom navigator and Microsoft Streets and Trips. Streets and Trips doesn't provide the turn by turn navigation, but gives a nice map with a this is where you are type thing. Tomtom is just an amazingly impressive piece of software. Gives you turn by turn directions and if you decide to ignore the voice, it will reroute the path for you. (depends, tomtom is 170)
I visit Aximsite a lot (www.aximsite.com) and they are focused on the Dell Axim pocket PCs but they have a really good GPS section. The members there recomend buying from http://buygpsnow.com/ they also give members a 5 or 10% discount. I don't recall exactly.
Answer:
Yeah I would go with the pocketpc bluetooth combo. The holux GR236 bluetooth receiver is supposed to be really good. Great sensitivity and fast startup times
Answer:
are pocketpc bluetooth combo that much better than standalone plug and play devices? Do you know what the difference in price ranges are between them?
Answer:
I'm also a member on Aximsite. They have lots of good info.
Personally right now I have a Dell x50v with a Globalsat BT-338 receiver and Iguidance as the program. I tried TomTom but really hated it...
Answer:
Haha see? I said the BT-338 is really popular
I have the haicom HI 405bt (sirf2 edition not sirf3)
I haven't tried Iguidance but tomtom has been pretty good to me. ill look up iguidance
