PDA for a School Bus Driver

[maddoxdy]

I have what I think is a unique (although probably not) application for a PDA and I have a few questions.

I'm a school bus driver and para-transit driver. My driving is restricted to a specific area that I know like the back of my hand. I have a more accurate map in my head than most GPS devices. One of my responsibilities is as a late minute sub driver, as such I need to learn and keep all the routes in the district. This currently occupies two 3" binders and it is growing (over 130 routes) as the district grows.

Is there a PDA that can help me store this info? We are talking about 520 pages of directions. I have some of these already in MS Word and PDF's.

I have blue tooth and WIFI at home. That would be a plus.

Concerning GPS devices, is there an inexpensive one that can work with a PDS that can trace a route traveled and display it later? Preferably with waypoints.

As a school bus driver, cost is an issue. However, I'm not adverse to getting used or refurbs. Looking in the 100-200 dollar range for the PDA.

Doug

[_Q_]

Get the Palm T|X. 128 Mb + expansion card slot. Bluetooth and WiFi. It has Documents to Go (which will handle Word files). You can upgrade Docs to go for $29 or get a free PDF viewer, either approach being better than using the bundled one. Also, the T|X has a "soft" writing area that lets you use the whole screen when you want to, unlike other models with square screens.

And Palm OS is much much easier to use than Windows Mobile.

While its retail price is $299, you should be able to find it online for about $200.

[SGosnell]

Why not just get a GPS? You can save your tracks on the GPS, and transfer them to any of several PC programs that will display them on maps. Google Earth will let you transfer the tracks and show them on the photos if you want. I like USAPhotomaps, which will take the tracks from your GPS, display them on either topographic maps or satellite photos, and save as .jpg files, which you can save and print. I connect my GPS to my T3, which with Mapopolis gives me voice directions to any address in the US, while showing the maps. I don't have to look at the maps most of the time, though, because the voice directions start warning me in advance of turns, etc.

[dogbarber]

I'm with S on this one....why not just go GPS? Probably easier than reading a PDA anyway.

[lelisa13p]

Welcome to Brighthand, maddoxdy and _Q_ .

I tend to agree with Stan & db.

Let's hear from some of the GPS folks, hopefully.

[Dick Tracy]

Welcome to Brighthand, maddoxdy and _Q_

I also agree that your need is for GPS. Is it possible to keep the noise level on your school buses to a low enough roar to hear voice directions?

[dogbarber]

Welcome to Brighthand, maddoxdy and _Q_

I also agree that your need is for GPS. Is it possible to keep the noise level on your school buses to a low enough roar to hear voice directions?

Could he use a one sided earpiece?????

[dogbarber]

GPS may be out of the OPs price range though....

[maddoxdy]

If the GPS decives are as accurate as the various mapping programs, Streets & Trips and Delorme, then the map in my hear is more accurate. I know which intersection not to attempt a right turn on and what all the height and weight restrictions are.

The other problem is noise, I would never be able to hear it for two reasons. The kids aren't that quiet, and I wear hearing aids. The hearing aids also negate the use of an ear piece such as a blue tooth.

Let me set a scene for you. It's 5:30 am on a January morning. Pitch black, as out in the boomies there are no street lights.

I'm not going to be reading the PDS while driving, just before the run and layovers to refresh my memory of where I'm going. 5 different buses stop here. I gotta remember if I'm picking up HS, Jr H, Elem, Private Sch, special needs, etc.

I just want to be able to store my notes and run sheets in a convient manner. Like I said before, I want to replace 3 binds of paper.

Thanks for the thoughts so far, but GPS isn't the main need. That might be some icing on the cake later.


Doug

[SGosnell]

You can get a basic handheld GPS for under $100. For a mapping model, you'll need to go to maybe $150, but the maps are extra. If you already have a PDA that has bluetooth, you can get a bluetooth GPS for ~$70. There are free programs, such as CetusGPS, which will show you basic directions to waypoints and save tracks, and guide you along a route. A handheld GPS will do the same thing. A real mapping program, which gives voice directions, is expensive, but if you don't need that, then you can get by fairly cheap.