In-car Navigation

[edneeves]

I have just got a new job that involves a fair bit of travel. Having just come off the boat 6 months ago I thought it would be a good idea to get some electronic assistance.

Does anyone know or use some good navigation systems? I was looking at the Navman but am open to suggestions.

Ed.

[gleff]

I have just got a new job that involves a fair bit of travel. Having just come off the boat 6 months ago I thought it would be a good idea to get some electronic assistance.

Does anyone know or use some good navigation systems? I was looking at the Navman but am open to suggestions.

Ed.

I've got a Navman PiN PDA which has built in GPS using the NAVMAN SmartST software, and I've also tried CoPilot Live V5 and here are my thoughts.

1. PDA used all the time
2. GPS used ALL THE TIME mainly around sydney but i've even driven up to Brisbane and the Gold Coast using it. No External antenna, and always have a good enough signal for the journey.
3. I was using SmartST V2 previously, but just upgraded to V2005 (3.5), and it's got some Major improvements over V2.. Am I still happy.. I'm ecstatic.. Works a treat.
4. Co-Pilot Live V5 SUCKS.. it's buggy, comes up with some obscure routes sometimes, and doesn't have street names amongst other things. SmartST has street names and well.. it's just brilliant IMHO.

I've even tried dedicated units like the Navman ICN635 and the dedicated units have the disadvantage of no touch screen, and no mobility without the car battery. The screen is about the same size as the PDA but is in landscape mode as opposed to Portrait mode, however, I believe Windows Pocket PC 2003 allows you to do things in landscape mode anyway, and I read something in the SmartST manual about being able to do landscape mode (don't quote me on that though).. but you don't need it. Contrary to belief, the PDA is loud enough.. especially with the latest version of the software. I listen to my stereo on loud in my car and still hear the directions.

If I had to choose again, I would go with the PDA version again ENSURING it was running SmartST v2005. Incidently, if you buy a unit that has an early version now, you get a free upgrade I believe to the latest version. It was only released about a week ago.

Geoff

Edit: I better clarify a couple of points above..

1. When I say no external antenna used.. You can buy an external antenna but I don't have one.. it's not necessary.. the built in one is sufficient.

2. When I said that CoPilot Live didn't have street names, it has street names, but only verbally, and when you are passing them, on them, or approaching one.. The actual maps don't show them. It was a real disappointment.

[Catcha]

Nice review gleff

[thaddeus]

Thanks gleff
I'm considering one of the Tomtom units which also doubles as a telephone handsfree. Any comments on that?

[Oneputt]

I use a IPAQ3600 - great unit great maps, but is not Windows based.

[gleff]

Thanks gleff
I'm considering one of the Tomtom units which also doubles as a telephone handsfree. Any comments on that?

I've tried the TOMTOM 500 and it also doesn't show street names from memory. It's got a big following though so some people like it, but I find the screen to small, lack of street names is a bit descerning when you're used to seeing them on the maps, and I believe there is a limit to the custom POI's you can have (but there's ways around it so it's not so bad). My dad also has one and is happy with it, but that was after having to return the first two due to problems.

What I'd suggest is to go to a Harvey Norman store and check out both the Navman units, and the TomTom units and see which you prefer. I'm used to the SMARTST software so i'm a bit biased now, it's hard to like others when you're used to certain things.

The only comments I would give is stay away from any units, PDA or not, that uses the CoPilot Live software.. My experience hasn't been that good with it. It's possible it's been improved, but I doubt it.. one of the things people were kinda pi$$ed about was the lack of fixes to the software.

Certainly TomTom 500 is a contender though.. I can't remember the reason, but at the time the TomTom 300 was a 'keep away from' unit too.. but I seriously can't remember the reason.. it may have been a personal thing.

[edneeves]

Thats a big help. I have been leaning towards the icn520. It has the touch screen and has the ability to be taken out of the car and used as a handheld gps.

I have heard good things about the upgraded software and your review confirms this for me.

Anyone know of a good source to pick up a Navman. Would it be something Birdy would carry?

Ed.

[DionM]

I use a Bluetooth GPS receiver that sits on my dash, and an iPAQ to talk to the receiver via bluetooth, and destinator software on the iPAQ. Main reason I use this method is I can share the GPS then with my laptop etc for other types of NAV (moving map overlays for one).

[Catcha]

I heard lots of people rave about the destinator software, for palm pilots. which software is better ?

[birddog114]

I have a Navman ICN635, it's a great device!

[Cows Go Moo]

I built my own. Costs a fair bit more then something off the shelf but has lots of nice features. Consists of the following -

Xenarc 7" touch screen mounted on the dash
Garmin GPSMAP76s with external antennea
Celerion 1.5 GHz fanless PC mounted under passanger seat
DC - DC power supply & controller
Garmen nRoute software and City Navigator
Oziexplorer

Can also use it play MP3's and download/view photos from the D70s
Have been thinking of adding wireless so it would sync all the photo's back to the home server, but thats another project....

It's a fair investment in time and $$ but works well.
If anyone wants any info let me know.

Cows Go Moo

[avkomp]

over the years I have had several gps units and they sure have come a long way. I used things like aussie explorer initially because nothing else existed.

As far as personal street navigation systems are concerned, I have had a fair bit to do with the navman range of stuff.
These are my observations:
initial versions of the software had lots of issues but these are way better than originally released.
The bluetooth models work well but you must already have a ipaq or palm or xda initially. this is a good system and it updates the screen faster than the pin. Has a faster baud rate on the serial port. You can use the blue tooth gps with other software if the device has a blue tooth port.

The navman pin though would be my recommendation for a one device solution because everything is in one package. Sometimes you need to reboot pda devices to ensure reliable comms with the bluetooth device, you just about never have to with the pin.
The Pin has a screen which is typically slightly smaller than the ipaq but the colour of the screens is more vibrant.
The sound on the pin is usually louder than on the ipaq.
This means it is easier to hear directions if you car is louder.

The ICN systems are louder again, but you dont get the pda function so whereas the screens may be bigger, you cant do other stuff with them like you can with the pin or ipaq (but maybe you dont want to. just want to use it for navigation.) Typically because it isnt a pda, you dont get a stylus to enter data. I like typing the info with the stylus. side by side tests in my case found that I could be up and running quicker using the stylus.

cant really comment about some of the other systems though. BTW if you want the gps for bushwalking 4wd etc you really need a different unit for this. these days I have garmin gpsmap 76cs for bush work.
as soon as you leave the beaten track, the navman stuff will say "go to nearest road"
The navman though will always get you to the street you are aiming for and often to the address also (within the accuracy of the original maps.
Steve

[Digidegs]

Hi

Point your browser to http://www.mtekk.com.au/
This is forum similar to ours but for PDA's and allied goodies.
Do a search and you will get reviews on most GPS softwares including comparisons. I have used CoPilot Live 5 on a HP 5550 and now with an iMate Jam Black (128 Ram). Works real good for me. Has some quirks but gets me to where I want to go.
I carry a PDA all the time and find that having it incorporated in a PDA is a great advantage over a stand alone unit in the car. I set mine up with voice alerts and next cross street and the next turn and distance displayed top and bottom of screen. This way, it does not matter what streets are in between and cuts the clutter on small screens like most GPS's have.

Cheers ALbert

[shakey]

I still prefer the old fashioned system..GF/wife in the passenger seat with the Gregory's and constant arguements about how to read a map

shakey

[gleff]

I still prefer the old fashioned system..GF/wife in the passenger seat with the Gregory's and constant arguements about how to read a map

shakey

You can always argue with the lady's voice on the navigation system. I'm constantly telling it off for giving me bad directions

[gstark]

I still prefer the old fashioned system..GF/wife in the passenger seat with the Gregory's and constant arguements about how to read a map

shakey

You can always argue with the lady's voice on the navigation system. I'm constantly telling it off for giving me bad directions

What if it were a male voice? Would you argue with it then?

We could always substitute in John Howard's voice ... "no, don't go down that road ... there are children overboard down there .....No, not that one either; terrorists ..."

Perhaps Lord Downer of Bagdad could sing you your directions?

The Mark Latham one would abuse you and then punch you in the mouth, and the Carl Scully one would have you totally lost in the middle of the Harbour Tunnel.

[Potatis]

Philip Ruddock would mumble in complicated language and you wouldn't understand a word.

Got a good one for Amanda Vanstone?

[gstark]

Philip Ruddock would mumble in complicated language and you wouldn't understand a word.

Got a good one for Amanda Vanstone?

Your car would be held indefinitely in a detention centre, while you would be deported to the Philipines.

[Potatis]

Well done.

[Catcha]

I use a Bluetooth GPS receiver that sits on my dash, and an iPAQ to talk to the receiver via bluetooth, and destinator software on the iPAQ. Main reason I use this method is I can share the GPS then with my laptop etc for other types of NAV (moving map overlays for one).

Which Bluetooth GPS do you have ? everyone seems to go or recommends globalsat -338.


Know any good places to pick up the software or did you get yours in a bundle ?

[baboo]

Ed,
I just bought the Navman ICN 510 a couple of months ago from Dick Smiths. It was a lot cheaper than the other models but came with a free software and map upgrade to the ICN 520. From memory, it was about $100 cheaper. Somewhere in the $700 price range.

So far its been great, driven from Melbourne to Toowoomba with it and didn't need to bother with normal street directories. Just gotta be careful about where it takes you though gotten a bum steer every now and then when councils change to one-way streets and so on.

[birddog114]

Ed,
I just bought the Navman ICN 510 a couple of months ago from Dick Smiths. It was a lot cheaper than the other models but came with a free software and map upgrade to the ICN 520. From memory, it was about $100 cheaper. Somewhere in the $700 price range.

So far its been great, driven from Melbourne to Toowoomba with it and didn't need to bother with normal street directories. Just gotta be careful about where it takes you though gotten a bum steer every now and then when councils change to one-way streets and so on.

baboo,
Generally, the Navman system is good for city and all other country roads in all states. Unfortunately, it's restricted to off road's tracks & trails.
It could not plot or review your path nor upgrading or add on Topo and other maps.

I have the ICN 635, it'll be assigned into another car soon and I'll get one of this very soon:

Magellan eXplorist 600 GPS or the new released XL with bigger screen.