Borisw37

I am thinking of getting into this hobby. For now I just have a laptop sitting on the passanger seat but a 8" touchscreen is coming soon.

Here is my actual question:
How does navigation work in different front-end software?

Can any USB-GPS and any map software be used? Does the front-end software just use the data from the map software, or does it simply launch the original navigation software?

What is good navigtaion software + USB-GPS?

MS Streets & Trips?
Street Atlas USA from Earthamate.com?

Thank you,

Boris.

carabuser

I use DeLorme Earthmate GPS unit + iGuidance + RoadRunner. Great combo, IMO.
You install drivers for GPS unit. Map software uses the data from GPS unit.

__________________
2000 Maxima CarPC
Current Status: Rebuilding

Specs
- 1.5Ghz Toshiba Laptop
- Indash Motorized 7" VGA TS
- DeLorme GPS
- Power Inverter
- Pioneer HU

Borisw37

So can I pick any GPS receiver from column A, any map software from column B and any front-end software from column C and it will all work together, or are there some restrictions?

Queenambeach

Do you find the Delorme maps to be a little bit cluttered?

RedGTiVR6

to answer your question Boris - yes, in most cases you can do that.

unless Delorme has vastly imporved their software the last time I used it I was throughly dissapointed with it's features for in car use.

I'll look at Streets & Trips, Map Point, iGuidance, or Destinator if I were you.

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durwood

I used the delorme street altas and it's loaded with features and worked great but too much info IMO. Plus the controls are too small for a 7" screen. I switched over to Iguidance 3.0 UMPC and it's better suited for carpc use. This is just my opinion.

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RedGTiVR6

I use StreetDeck with map point. In that sense, map point is a very good nav piece.

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Wiredwrx

For the most part, you can mix and match, it is a matter of setting up the FE to "embed" the NAV software into the FE, but that is generally pretty easy, and I know RR has a faq about it, I think the others probably do as well.

I think there may have been issues with FP embeding certain programs, including some NAV programs, but that is a faint memory, and I could be wrong about that.

Some FE were designed with certain programs in mind, and you might be "better off" using that NAV program, but like I said, it is basically mix and match.

FYI, stay away from the early Delorme GPS receivers if you plan on using non Delorme NAV programs, the early ones didn't spit out NMEA but another protocol, I think ROCKWELL. That just introduces another kink, which can be overcome, but why bother when you can get a true NMEA receiver.

Michael

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...I love the French language...especially to curse with...Nom de Dieu de putain de bordel de merde de saloperies de connards d'enculés de ta mère. You see, it's like wiping your *** with silk, I love it. www.yellinlawoffice.com

carabuser

for most parts I found the map cluttered. I often found myself driving on top of people's roofs or on the ocean. Up to now I was using iGuidance 2 and I find it great. Will be moving to iGuidance 3 in a week or so, when I finally redo my CarPC.

__________________
2000 Maxima CarPC
Current Status: Rebuilding

Specs
- 1.5Ghz Toshiba Laptop
- Indash Motorized 7" VGA TS
- DeLorme GPS
- Power Inverter
- Pioneer HU

carabuser

As was said before, in most cases this will work. I guess what you should be looking for is the GPS unit that supports NMEA standard and map software that works with that standard.

__________________
2000 Maxima CarPC
Current Status: Rebuilding

Specs
- 1.5Ghz Toshiba Laptop
- Indash Motorized 7" VGA TS
- DeLorme GPS
- Power Inverter
- Pioneer HU

Borisw37

Thanks for all your replies !

This is a great forum, can't wait to setup my system.

Cross_

..and if you are interested in buying MS Streets & Trips 2007 let me know. I just installed it but don't think it will go into my final CarPC setup.