GPS Navigation for iPaq

[ironchefm]

I'm in the market for one of these things but I have little experience with all the brands out there. My last GPS experience was this government-issue Trimble system with a huge receiver connected to the laptop. It took about half an hour to get an initial signal lock which is why I did not put much hope in those things.

Anybody have any info on which product or products are currently the best available?



Here are my notes from brief research:

Teletype Mini-Auto GPS for iPaq
$199
http://www.pdamart.com/mingpsforip.html

*bad reviews*
Pharos Pocket GPS kit
$249
http://www.pdamart.com/comippocgpsn.html
Receiver Only
$199
http://www.handango.com/PlatformProd...d=0&catalog=32

TravRoute CoPilot for iPaq
$299
http://www.pdamart.com/poccopforcom.html

Pocket CoPilot
$299 free s/h
CoPilot sleeve
$349
http://www.racoindustries.com/powerl...destinator.htm

*good review*
Destinator
$329 free s/h
http://www.racoindustries.com/powerloc/destinator1.htm
Review: http://reviews.pocketnow.com/content...reviews&id=172

[jonlien]

My recommendation is to do a search on this board as these topics have been discussed extensively.

From what I read, you will be most happy with Co-Pilot Navman or Destinator.

Better yet, buy both and return the one you don't like.

[Chris L]

You'll find a lot of info doing a search as said. Co-Pilot and Destinator would be the 2 real competitors for over the road driving. Co-Pilot Navman combo allows out of automobile GPS.

I have heard Co-Pilot can be a little slower than Destinator acquiring satellites but not to bad from what you were saying you experienced. I personally have Destinator and even with a cold boot 1 minute would be an absolute max. Usually 10-20 seconds from when turn on myself.

Receivers are about the size of a deck of cards with single cable connecting Ipaq, GPS, and lighter(power).

[jonlien]

Is it true that in the near future, you can use the Destinator's superior map software with Navman?

[paq]

Great topic! I have, too, been searching for the best GPS solution for my iPAQ. After searching through the forums, it appears that CoPilot and the Destinator are the two to beat.

Now the question is, which one works better?

I have read descriptions on both and like the sleeve option for the CoPilot, but it seems that Destinator has the better mapping software.

Also, a review mentioned that the Destinator uses "chunks" of maps instead of piecing regions together. True?

Does anyone have experinece with either product (thanks, Chris L., for your feedback) and the ability for it to reach out to the sky.

[jhd]

Check this thread. All aspects of Navman co-pilot have been discussed.

http://discussion.brighthand.com/sho...ghlight=navman

[Chris L]

I am unaware of Destinator being offered with Navman but haven't been researching it much lately. I bought Destinator back in July when it first came out.

As far as Destinator goes you download specific areas. Example: I currently have loaded the Viginia/DC area. I think it is about 38mb. They grouped the US into various segments about 35-60mb ea.

Here is a picture of the Destinator regions: http://members.home.net/csloker/destinator.jpg

Destinator does have it quirks but is overall a good product. The disadvantage to Destinator is that NavTech maps do not cover the entire country. The maps with the current Destinator are very accurate from what I have found in the areas covered. However, I would check the Destinator website as their is a place to search if your area has detailed coverage. It's hidden pretty good but there.

I believe Co-Pilot covers the entire country but some have complained that their maps are somewhat dated.

Co-Pilot - instead of the regions like Destinator you select the area you want to cover in the desktop software. I believe you can route in the desktop software and have multiple stops and have it transfer over to the PPC. Destinator has no desktop mapping and no multiple stop ability (ie ability to route around areas). With Destinator you can have your multiple stops in your address book but have to manually select as you go from one to the other.

I think it really comes down to the interface. If you like detail on your map seeing the coming turns, intersections, terrain around you you'll like Destinator. If you want a simple interface with large print just saying take next right however many yards then Co-Pilot is for you.

I personally like the detail and look of Destinator although the turn directions and distance are smaller. Others love the fact that Co-Pilot has the Driver and Passenger view (Driver view just large lettering telling directions with Passenger view showing the road with directions smaller). I personally like looking at the maps and area around where I am driving with Destinator (shows road names intersecting, water, airports, parks, shopping, etc.) and leave the voice prompts to the directions.

Then of course if you want to be out of the car the Navman/Co-Pilot would be the option for that.

Any other questions I'll be glad to help!

[ironchefm]

Thanks for the informative posts!

Living in the city, I think signal reception might be an issue for me. The CoPilot GPS sleeve looks great but I'll probably need a receiver to sit as far up my dash as possible.

I agree with Paq in that Destinator and CoPilot seem to be the two best products so far. Are there any hidden fees associated with either product? Such as purchasing additional or updated maps? Also, how much did you pay for each product?

thanks!

[Chris L]

Destinator gives a guarantee of a free map update in the first year and I would assume all software updates in that period. As a matter of fact when version 1.5 of Destinator came out they shipped all registered users the new disk (with points of interest) at no charge - not even a nominal shipping fee.

I had heard some complaints with Co-Pilot in that updates cost $99 and people who had had their Co-Pilot over 30 days had to pay for the updates. A Co-Pilot user could confirm if they ended up ever charging people but that is what they had been asking for updates.

Of course other than buying the original software/receiver their are no other costs - GPS is free. So buying these products the only future cost would be in a few years when the maps were getting somewhat dated.

P.S. I get great signal strength usually 6-7 satellites. I went through an absolute horrible thunderstorm travelling last year (0 visability - cars pulled off the highway). Destinator never fell below 4 satellites.

[weatheryoko]

I used Destinator now and I like it a lot better than Pocket Co-Pilot by TravRoute. I, like everyone else got the free upgrade CD from Destinator (upgraded to version 1.5). One thing to be careful of..... GPS is free. There is not an annual fee for use of GPS. Most of the major PocketPC GPS Software manufactures do not charge an annual fee, but some do (i.e. streetwizard), so just be careful and read the small print. Pocket Co-Pilot, Destinator, Pharos, and Teletype all do NOT charge an annual GPS fee.