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Communications Connecting - internet cafes, laptops, smart phones - how to connect, use, which one, and intercom/radio systems.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 11 Jul 2007
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Recommended PDA for GPS
Hi All,

We are just back from a shake down trip to Portugal, which was freat fun. One for the things we have concluded from this is we would like to run GPS on PDA, so are looking for a few makes/models to give us a head start on our research. Anyone got any favorites or any to avoid?

Just to save duplicate debate I was part of a verty active thread regarding pros and cons of lots of other navigation methods, and am happy to go down the PDA mode, so just looking for some recommendations.

I will be writing up our findings on the other thread later in the week if any one is interested.

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 11 Jul 2007
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Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox N560 is worth a look (Sirf III gps, Bluetooth, high res screen).

I myself have used PathAway software but lately have come to conclusion that is not as robust and reliable (bug free) as I would like. Not used OziExplorer or MamoryMap long term, so can't compare.
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  #3  
Old 11 Jul 2007
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I've been using a Mio P550 with TomTom Navigator for UK/Euro roads and Ozi Explorer for everything else. So far it does the job although Ozi can be a bit fiddly to set up and some of the on line maps for it are of dubious quality (I've one that shows my location as Brixham in Devon when I'm at home near Oxford)

Possible down sides are lack of rugged construction - ok in my Land Rover but I need to be careful with it on the bike and the screen can be tricky to see in direct sunlight
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  #4  
Old 11 Jul 2007
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Location: Stourbridge. England.
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mda
I now use a 'T' mobile mda compact III phone. A freebie with a phone contract. It is a PDA smartphone with a built in gps receiver. I run tomtom 6 and it works very well. Use it mainly in the car as I have a zumo on the bike.

I have a very functional Dell axim 400mhz with gps going cheap if your interested? That runs tomtom 5 covering the whole of Europe.

Roger.
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  #5  
Old 11 Jul 2007
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Ha! No to the Axim
Hi there Rog - it was an Axim X5 300mhz that died on us during our trip to Portugal. Bought cheap as a trial and lasted long enough for us to realise the huge advantage of a PDA over a laptop (probably obvious to most people). We were running TomTom 6 on it, so I think we were just asking too much.

No the plan is to buy one (maybe just not yet) that is up to the job, something that can take all we ask of it. Not sure yet, just trying to get some ideas. We will most probably be running TOMTOM for europe and Ozi for the rest of the world.

Thanks to everyone so far who has given a tip. I think I will eventually step out and spend some real mular on it, but still to convince the wife. But seeing as I'm getting double time for just writing this, should soon be able to hide the expense
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  #6  
Old 27 Jul 2007
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I am using a HP Ipac 2190 .. with OziexploerCE ..

You need an otterbox .. even if you put the pda away when wet .. as the connector to the PDA corrodes in the rain making the power connection dirty .. takes about a week to go that way. The connector on the PDA is fine, just the one left dangling to th bike (in the rain).

The screen does wash out in sunlight .. to the extent that it is unuseable in the desert. You need to stop and cover it ... good thing .. stoping that is.

---------------- What I have is a GPS (60Cx with maps) and that is connected to the PDA, the GPS screen is much much better in teh sun. THe PDA screen is a little better than the GPS screen at night.
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