Short Reviews of packages

smashr2k · 04-28-2003, 05:23 PM

since people seem to always ask the question 'which gps software can talk to me?!' and other things, how about a sticky thread with a paragraph or two on all the different commercial packages out there?

jol · 04-29-2003, 04:21 AM

sounds good, list some recievers aswell

Skraggy_uk · 04-29-2003, 04:59 AM

I've been looking into this too.

With all the features needed, it appears that Infomap Navigator is the only one for the UK I can find that is upto date.

But, I do like Mappoint 2002 because of it's advanced features (more than you generally need for in car I admit).

Problem with Mappoint is that it can plot a route, it can display your position on the route, but it doesn't do spoken directions, it doesn't do any kind of directions, and it can't recalculate on the fly.

Now with some research on the alt.satellite.gps newsgroup I discovered the link to Advanced GPS

Which looks to be a far more affordable alternative to Laptop Navstar for Mappoint , and looks to have much better features for a fraction of the cost.

Any one used AGPS, who can comment on how effective it was.

Skraggy_uk · 04-29-2003, 05:06 AM

I've been looking into this too.

With all the features needed, it appears that Infomap Navigator is the only one for the UK I can find that is upto date.

But, I do like Mappoint 2002 because of it's advanced features (more than you generally need for in car I admit).

Problem with Mappoint is that it can plot a route, it can display your position on the route, but it doesn't do spoken directions, it doesn't do any kind of directions, and it can't recalculate on the fly.

Now with some research on the alt.satellite.gps newsgroup I discovered the link to Advanced GPS

Which looks to be a far more affordable alternative to Laptop Navstar for Mappoint , and looks to have much better features for a fraction of the cost.

Any one used AGPS, who can comment on how effective it was.

adamis · 04-29-2003, 07:33 PM

Try this, just found it while looking for the same thing.

http://home.earthlink.net/~vpeng/carnav.html

Skraggy_uk · 04-30-2003, 12:30 AM

That site will get a decent read later. Looks useful.

GingerPrince · 04-30-2003, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Any one used AGPS, who can comment on how effective it was. [/b]

I had a quick play with it a while ago. Not sure if it was just the route I plugged in, or maybe that my GPS hadn't got a decent lock, but it seemed to be telling me the same directions over and over again, but I got bored with it because Mappoint was crashing the laptop I was testing it on (problem with the laptop).

I now have Mappoint installed on my carputer so will have another play at some point and let you know.

Skraggy_uk · 04-30-2003, 10:13 AM

cheers. The prob I'm having at the moment is that Mappoint doesn't seem to like my Deluo USB GPS.

Might have to find something else.

I know using GPSS, I can get a very weak signal inside the house near the window. But in Mappoint, it says the port is available, but can't get GPS data

GingerPrince · 04-30-2003, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skraggy_uk
cheers. The prob I'm having at the moment is that Mappoint doesn't

I believe MapPoint, AutoRoute, Streets & Trips etc all have the same problem with USB GPS devices, expecially under Windows XP. I specifically bought a serial device for mine, for this very reason.

Skraggy_uk · 04-30-2003, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GingerPrince
I believe MapPoint, AutoRoute, Streets & Trips etc all have the same problem with USB GPS devices, expecially under Windows XP. I specifically bought a serial device for mine, for this very reason.

Bugger. It does Serial Emulation, I'm using Win2k, and connection with hyperterminal does get characters returned on that com port (though not readable).

Guess it must be Mappoint etc.

Raekwon · 05-01-2003, 09:18 AM

What's the cheapest most effective package? I don't want to pay $300+ for Copilot...

Skraggy_uk · 05-01-2003, 05:05 PM

OK. Deep joy, getting somewhere.
I found a driver for the Prolific USB serial to USB interface.

I tried that, but no difference.

With that driver installed, I played with some settings in Hyperterminal.

setting to 4800 baud. I started getting clean GPS data inside the house.

I used those setting for the port, and Mappoint tried, but failed to initialise. I plugged them into the TechGT addon for Mappoint, and it started aquiring satellites.

I never got a clean full 3d lock, as I was with about 10 minutes wait to get right down to street level within about 100feet.

Tomorrow, I'm going to try the Delou drivers again, as they were newer than the prolific ones.

RoundSparrow · 05-03-2003, 03:21 PM

Yes, I used AGPS with MapPoint 2002.

It solves many of the GPS problems of MapPoint, but it has a poor UI. It is a little boxed window that you can't resize or control the layout.

I've given up on it. I went out and purchased CoPilot 2003 - and really like how it gives LARGE TEXT and FULL SCREEN directions that you can glance and read.

AGPS would be great starting point if you could customize the size and layout much better.

I wish the guy would release the source code, it would be a great starting point to experiment with some new user interfaces.

Skraggy_uk · 05-03-2003, 06:29 PM

CoPilot isn't available in the UK, but there is a dedicated Mappoint for Europe.

The only other Euro/UK system I know of woth re-routing, and directions is Infomap Navigator, but it isn't as detailed as mappoint, as I understand it.

With the on screen directions (on a low res TVout screen), and the voice directions, it should be OK. hopefully, I will be able to run it, behind Winamp with full screen Vis, and have the voice directions guide me.

mobilegps · 07-06-2003, 07:43 PM

Take a look at NavStar - a Mappoint based laptop navigation system. It supports Mappoint North America and European version.

It supports RoyalTek and Rayming USB GPS Receivers very well.

Try it out! You will like it.

www.mobilegpsonline.com