Quick PDA/GPS question.

Freedom_ · 13th June 2007, 1:42 PM

I wanted to know If I just buy a PDA w/ bluetooth, and then buy a bluetooth antenna like this and get GPS software/maps

Would this work as a GPS system in the car?

Cheers.

Cyb3r · 13th June 2007, 2:14 PM

No,

You need a Bluetooth GPS receiver, not a Bluetooth dongle

EDIT: Actaully looks to be outdated now, replaced with the M-1000

http://search.ebay.com.au/search/sea...e=search&fgtp=

Otherwise, PDA + Bluetooth + Mapping Software + Maps

dink · 13th June 2007, 2:20 PM

My brother uses a Palm T3 with a GPS receiver and TomTom software. Works great.

inspectr · 13th June 2007, 6:31 PM

Short answer - yes. I have an Ipac 3970 with bluetooth, an HP bluetooth GPS receiver and Co-Pilot software and aussie maps that I bought off ebay for a total of less than $250 some time ago.

Specific problems
the GPS unit needs to be charged after 3 days = pain in bum
and the PDA has to stay charged coz the app is in memory.

Dead battery means an hour of stuffing around to reinstall and reactivate both soiftware and maps.

I currently use an Ipac 3870 in a Navman GPS sleeve and SmartST software and maps - works very well. A $20.00 external aerial reduces the cold start (moving vehicle) from 10 minutes to around 10 seconds - well worth it.

Navamn rips you off for updated maps though

chaps · 14th June 2007, 3:31 PM

I have my Dell Axim X51 with a Bluetooth GPS and TomTom 6. it works really well and i use it a bit. best thing is that i can chuck them both in my pocket and keep tracking when i leave the car to go walking...

battery Life can bea pain, but is is manageable. I might have to mod a charger so it can power both devices at once if need be. the main PITA is forgetting to switch off the GPS device and running it flat.

fester2001 · 15th June 2007, 9:29 PM

I have a dell Axim x50 and a cf GPS- that i use with tom tom, works flawlessly.

I used to use it with a blue tooth GPS but i occasionally had connection issues between the two devices which is why i ditched it and went with the CF gps module instead.

Doofus · 16th June 2007, 12:52 AM

Dopod 838 pro
Tomtom software
Qstarz BT-Q818 Bluetooth GPS reciever.

Love the Qstarz, 32 hours active use AND has a sleep mode when no bluetooth present. Lasts me a couple of weeks of intermittent use between charges, the tracking is great, I haven't lost position in Canberra yet, whereas a mate has with his standalone GPS unit (can't remeber the brand), and it picks up sats from INSIDE my house, in the coin tray under my dash, center console etc. Great for keeping the little gadget out of sight.

StratosFear · 18th June 2007, 7:02 PM

I picked up an Asus A639 PDA with built in GPS today.

Haven't used it in the car yet but first impressions are very good. Comes with everything you need, car charger, car mounting bracket, dock for your desk. And has 1gb of built in memory so you can store your maps etc on the actual PDA and use your SD cards for music/videos etc.

I just finished installing Tomtom 6 on it with the latest australian maps and it seems to be working a treat (although still yet to use it in the car)

All up very happy. Comes with all the things you need for GPS but the receipt says PDA so no issues Salary sacrificing it

.

There are not many reviews on the net about it but if anyone has questions let me know.

fester2001 · 18th June 2007, 7:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StratosFear

I picked up an Asus A639 PDA with built in GPS today.

Haven't used it in the car yet but first impressions are very good. Comes with everything you need, car charger, car mounting bracket, dock for your desk. And has 1gb of built in memory so you can store your maps etc on the actual PDA and use your SD cards for music/videos etc.

I just finished installing Tomtom 6 on it with the latest australian maps and it seems to be working a treat (although still yet to use it in the car)

All up very happy. Comes with all the things you need for GPS but the receipt says PDA so no issues Salary sacrificing it

.

There are not many reviews on the net about it but if anyone has questions let me know.

what was the cost?

StratosFear · 18th June 2007, 7:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fester2001

what was the cost?

$579 before salary sacrifice.

Got it from Calculator King (they price matched Organizer world)

ves · 18th June 2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StratosFear

I picked up an Asus A639 PDA with built in GPS today.

StratosFear, I was considering getting this model or the a686. I just wondering if you considered the a686 at any point, and what made you get the a639. Im trying to decide if the extra memory/cpu/wifi is worth the price difference.(and if need those extras)Also the 686 is a bit slimmer which is an attractive option.
Seeing as the a686 runs the 312mhz cpu, is that considered slow these days? (I havent used a PDA in a very long time).
My main use would for it would be GPS, maybe another mapping thing like ozice (topographical or satellite images) occasional movie, and typical work stuff (it will be a tax deduction after all!)

StratosFear · 19th June 2007, 9:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ves

StratosFear, I was considering getting this model or the a686. I just wondering if you considered the a686 at any point, and what made you get the a639. Im trying to decide if the extra memory/cpu/wifi is worth the price difference.(and if need those extras)Also the 686 is a bit slimmer which is an attractive option.
Seeing as the a686 runs the 312mhz cpu, is that considered slow these days? (I havent used a PDA in a very long time).
My main use would for it would be GPS, maybe another mapping thing like ozice (topographical or satellite images) occasional movie, and typical work stuff (it will be a tax deduction after all!)

I did consider it, and I did prefer the look of it (although I've grown to like the a639). The main reasons I got the 639 over the 686 was Wifi and processor speed. Although it's primary purpose will be as GPS I did want the ability to use it as a fully fledged PDA as well if I require. Also I'm not sure how true this is as I haven't tested the two but I read having an adjustable external antenna can help depending on if you have your pda in portrait or landscape mode.

I was also a fan of it having 1gb of memory on board. I know SD cards are cheap as buggary these days but it's nice to be able to store all your applications, maps etc on the unit itself and use SD only for movies/music etc.

The price difference after tax write off/salary sacrifice wasn't enough for me to justify going for a less feature packed PDA.

Another thing worth noting. ASUS have said as of July they will release Windows Mobile 6 for their PDA's free of charge.

http://www.asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=7195

ves · 19th June 2007, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StratosFear

The price difference after tax write off/salary sacrifice wasn't enough for me to justify going for a less feature packed PDA.

Thats what I was thinking too, after I claim it on tax its not a massive difference in the end. Pity they dont seem to sell the a696 in oz (I cant find it anywhere online) as it would be the best of the 3,as it has the smaller shell of the a686, but faster cpu, and wifi.
thanks for the info.

StratosFear · 19th June 2007, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ves

Thats what I was thinking too, after I claim it on tax its not a massive difference in the end. Pity they dont seem to sell the a696 in oz (I cant find it anywhere online) as it would be the best of the 3,as it has the smaller shell of the a686, but faster cpu, and wifi.
thanks for the info.

Yeah I asked about the a696 but the guy at Calculator king said they don't sell it in Aus yet.

If you have any other questions about it don't hesitate to ask.

13th June 2007, 1:42 PM	#1
Freedom_ Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 835	Quick PDA/GPS question. I wanted to know If I just buy a PDA w/ bluetooth, and then buy a bluetooth antenna like this and get GPS software/maps Would this work as a GPS system in the car? Cheers.

13th June 2007, 2:14 PM	#2
Cyb3r Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,435	No, You need a Bluetooth GPS receiver, not a Bluetooth dongle EDIT: Actaully looks to be outdated now, replaced with the M-1000 http://search.ebay.com.au/search/sea...e=search&fgtp= Otherwise, PDA + Bluetooth + Mapping Software + Maps __________________ Interesting ... Last edited by Cyb3r; 13th June 2007 at 2:17 PM.

13th June 2007, 6:31 PM	#4
inspectr Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Rose Bay NSW Posts: 748	Short answer - yes. I have an Ipac 3970 with bluetooth, an HP bluetooth GPS receiver and Co-Pilot software and aussie maps that I bought off ebay for a total of less than $250 some time ago. Specific problems the GPS unit needs to be charged after 3 days = pain in bum and the PDA has to stay charged coz the app is in memory. Dead battery means an hour of stuffing around to reinstall and reactivate both soiftware and maps. I currently use an Ipac 3870 in a Navman GPS sleeve and SmartST software and maps - works very well. A $20.00 external aerial reduces the cold start (moving vehicle) from 10 minutes to around 10 seconds - well worth it. Navamn rips you off for updated maps though __________________ Folding@home 10000 club Folding@home 700000 milestone! Succesful trades with strange, kuchster, aussie7, kent, juvenile, jtsmorris, uncyspam, DAVEY_05, Jedi Jezz, aresaid, ridewitme, kme, rickster (3), falls, FATMANTAN, AthlonBoy, Datsun1600 (3), Psychronic, commando, Jon187, chewbucca, noboundaries-au, MiniDisc, de_overfiend, jboles, terrabyte, vegetarianator, dembones, Warney, bthree and many others

14th June 2007, 3:31 PM	#5
chaps Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 191	I have my Dell Axim X51 with a Bluetooth GPS and TomTom 6. it works really well and i use it a bit. best thing is that i can chuck them both in my pocket and keep tracking when i leave the car to go walking... battery Life can bea pain, but is is manageable. I might have to mod a charger so it can power both devices at once if need be. the main PITA is forgetting to switch off the GPS device and running it flat. __________________ Chaps... KEYBOARD ERROR: Think F1 to continue

15th June 2007, 9:29 PM	#6
fester2001 Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tasmania. Fences:62 Posts: 4,457	I have a dell Axim x50 and a cf GPS- that i use with tom tom, works flawlessly. I used to use it with a blue tooth GPS but i occasionally had connection issues between the two devices which is why i ditched it and went with the CF gps module instead. __________________ (o< -GOT Penguin? Trade List GMAIL CLICK ME MY CAR MY BOX MY MEDIA CENTER KITCHEN PC MY LAPPY My Projector Setup My W0k //\ V_/_You have a Crap theme!You have a Cool Theme! JULEX! - MY LINUX DISTRO MY SITE - TUXISCOOL.COM CHEAP .COM.AU DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATION

18th June 2007, 7:02 PM	#8
StratosFear Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,433	I picked up an Asus A639 PDA with built in GPS today. Haven't used it in the car yet but first impressions are very good. Comes with everything you need, car charger, car mounting bracket, dock for your desk. And has 1gb of built in memory so you can store your maps etc on the actual PDA and use your SD cards for music/videos etc. I just finished installing Tomtom 6 on it with the latest australian maps and it seems to be working a treat (although still yet to use it in the car) All up very happy. Comes with all the things you need for GPS but the receipt says PDA so no issues Salary sacrificing it . There are not many reviews on the net about it but if anyone has questions let me know.