icet

i am new to the gbs wonder how it work?
i know it track things but don't know how much it cost?
once you bought the hardware, does it need to pay monthly fee?
best software to use?
thanks for the help..
icet

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ukchris

The GPS device picks up location data from satellites in Geostationary orbit, from these it can calculate yout position on the globe.

Costs - varies, I guess a GPS unit could be anywhere from say $40 - $200, I use a Deluo GPS whicg runs arounf $80.

There is no monthly fee to pickup GPS signals.

Software - Destinator, Routis, MapPoint, CoPilot, StretFinder, TomTom - there is a lot, some better than others depending on region, device and personal preference.

Chris.

Ricky327

i am new to the gbs wonder how it work?
Look in google theres many info regarding this...much better explained.


i know it track things but don't know how much it cost?
They typically cost from £50 - £250, unless you want military or pro grade which can cost thousands.

once you bought the hardware, does it need to pay monthly fee?
Its free to public, unless the government decide to do something in the future...I dont think so though.

best software to use?
It depend what you really want, most poeple try MS auroroute first to get the feel of it...you can find them anywhere on the net Destinator 3 seems to be one of the best at the moment, but you have to check the map coverage. Theres also alturion, mapsonic, route 66, routis and and some others...some only cover USA or europe.

thanks for the help..
You are welcome

Marsupial

is there any compatibility issue with some models and softwares?

why would we pay 200$ if we get the same thing from a 80$ GPS?

how do we choose it???????

thanks.

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Ricky327

is there any compatibility issue with some models and softwares?
Yes some uses SIRF/binary and the standard one is NMEA.


why would we pay 200$ if we get the same thing from a 80$ GPS?
Because some GPS is not sensitive or takes too long to lock on satellite. You will notice this when theres many building in the area. You loose the lock and then have to wait some minutes before it can show you where you are...too late you already made a wrong turning into the motorway Believe me it happens alot.

ukchris

How much was your car? Why didn't you buy a cheaper one?

It's all personal preference, some are USB, some serial, some work just on a PC, some on PDA's too. Some GPS units are 100% standalone and do not need a PC, some of those have maps, some have maps and route planning, some just tell you the LAT/LON of where you are. As with most consumer products there are many choices and they aren't always obvious, what suits me may not suit you.

In my case I chose a Deluo as I can connect it to my IPaq Pocket PC and to my PC using either Serial or USB. I particularly wanted a GPS that was powered directly as I hate to have to keep changing batteries. From what I've been reading recently it seems a Deluo GPS and Routis 2004 are a powerful and cost effective starter kit.

Chris.

I have no association with Deluo other than having bought one of their GPS units.

icet

wow...thanks alot guys....
i will do it when i got my pc in...
icet

afr0puff

Are there any recommended models for good strong signal most/all the time? i want to put the receiver away in the glove box.

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Marsupial

Thanks chris, but when I bough my car, I knew what I needed and what I was getting, for that price.

GPS is still new to me. I'm talking about computer-compatible PGSs, and there seams to be a wide range, 60-300$, and they seam to have the same features. Do we pay for branding?

Let say I want a PGS that is suitable with mappoint, have only the basic info and is self powered. What should I get to have a clear signal all the time in Montreal?

thanks.

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ukchris

I have only used one GPS, that is my Deluo. It has worked great and is pretty cheap although I think there are cheaper brands. The only frustration I have had is that Windows likes to think it is a mouse as there is data pouring in via a serial port and you may need to disable this. That, apparently, is a common problem with GPS data and is not unique to Deluo.

I'm sure others can comment on their experiences, the key differentiator seems to be time to acquire, in my case it seems to acquire faster than my PC boots so by the time windows has started I'm ready to go anyway.

Chris.

Marsupial

thanks Chris

If you'd get one now, would you get a serial GPS or a SUB one?

Also, do you have any problems with the GPS acquiring signal at all? in tunnels, away from town, downtown between building....?

thanks a lot.

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ukchris

I'd get USB as my primary laptop has not serial port and the serial ones are usually powered either by batteries or from a keyboard cable, either are a bit of a pain.

I have never had problems acquiring but have not travelled that extensively, I've never tried it in a tunnel but in town it seems to work fine.

Ricky327

afr0puff,

Check this thread :

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/gps/22437-gps-under-70-00-a.html

Its hard recommend a good GPS since they have to be all tested on the same condition. I have tried an old Sony GPS (Etak GPS1), TomTom bluetooth GPS on PDA and Garming GPS16. The Garmin is the most sensitive one and can lock on fast. Once locked you can put it upside down inside a glove compartment and still kept the lock but I wouldnt recommend doing it though.

The idea is to get the most signal you possibly can, even mounting it outside if thats possible.

Ricky327

Lots of info about GPS reciever :

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/default.asp

Mostly for PDA but it helps

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