Laptop GPS - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

mrap1 · 01-31-2004, 05:16 PM

Does anyone know of a PCMCIA or USB peripheral for a laptop that can give it GPS functionality? I want to setup an inexpensive GPS system for my car using my laptop. Ideally I'd like something that when I give it the destination address in return it gives me spoken turn by turn directions. Similar to ones I've seen in new luxury cars.

saltfish · 01-31-2004, 05:31 PM

There are several different kinds.

You'll find many of them are CompactFlash with a PCMCIA adapters. Do a Google search for PCMCIA GPS and you'll find tons of them. Many of them even come with map software.

-SF

mrap1 · 01-31-2004, 07:11 PM

I kinda like this one called copilot: http://mightygps.com/copilot2003.htm

Has anyone here ever used this, or maybe have another suggestion for something better?

sailor · 01-31-2004, 08:34 PM

We have a GPS unit that has a cable that plugs into the (I believe--its been a while since I have been home and used it) serial port. Along with the Garmin map software, it works very well. We navigated our way around a bunch of unnamed dirt roads in the middle of nowhere with it. Good times.

Just make sure you have map software, its almost worthless without it. And a car adapter for the laptop and GPS are a must as well--dont want the batteries dying on you. And make sure someone else is doing the navigation while you are driving.

mrap1 · 01-31-2004, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sailor420
And make sure someone else is doing the navigation while you are driving.

The whole point of getting the GPS thingy is for it to give me turn by turn directions. Do I really need to have someone else monitor the software? I thought I could just set it at the beginning of my trip and then forget it.

Scorpion23 · 01-31-2004, 10:53 PM

I just built a navigation system for my car. I got a USB NavRoute GPS for under $100, and it came with a demo of Iguidance which gives you turn by turn directions with voice commands.

I got if from here.
http://getagps.com/category/laptop.html

mrap1 · 02-01-2004, 06:31 PM

I'm a little unclear how this stuff works. Can I just buy the USB NavRoute GPS and then use it with my own mapping software, like MS Street and Trips? Would it still give me voice turn by turn directions? If so the NavRoute would be an awesome option considering it's so cheap. I thought I was going to have to spend over $400 for what I wanted.

happymaan · 02-02-2004, 10:36 AM

If you buy any of the garmin etrex GPS you can hook that up via serial port (and powered by the cigarette lighter) to a PC running garmins mapsource softwear. That software does provice voice instructions.

Scorpion23 · 02-03-2004, 03:44 PM

I've got the NavRoute hooked up using Streets & Trips and it works fine. The only thing is that you won't have voice commands with it. For that you'll have to use the program that comes with it, or another one that supports voice commands.

This one comes with a demo of the voice software, and will also work with 3rd party software like Streets & Trips. $100
http://getagps.com/products/gps/00-0505-00.htm

This one is one step above and comes with the full version of the voice software, but is still compatable with 3rd party. $189
http://getagps.com/products/gps/00-0515-00.htm

The great thing about these compared to the Garmin is that they're powered off the USB port, so you cut down on cords while increasing mobility.

mrap1 · 02-03-2004, 06:14 PM

I think I'm going to go with the second link you posted, seems like a more practical solution. I already own MS Street and Trips, but I really want those voice prompted directions, too bad the software doesn't support it.

Also, I realized that I'm going to need some type of car AC adapter for the laptop (the battery doesn't last more than two hours). I was looking at one on Ebay for about $20. The auction does say fuse protection, but do you think it's safe (for the laptop and the car) to plug the laptop for extended periods of time into the car?

Scorpion23 · 02-03-2004, 07:44 PM

I'm assuming that you're talking about an adapter made for the laptop, as opposed to something like a power inverter. It should be fine as long as you have fuse protection, of course brand name matters here. You don't really want some generic adapter that may not be a perfect match for your hardware. As far as the safety goes it should be fine. Just keep the engine running while you use it so you don't wear the battery down.

If, on the other hand, you're talking about a power inverter you need to look at more than just the fuse protection. Namely the wattage supplied by the device and the voltage regulation.

I've done both for more than 12 hours at a time before and I don't see any problem with it. I did the same thing until I broke down and installed a mini-itx computer in my car. Now I've got GPS, OBD II diagnostics, mp3 and video. With a touchscreen too

BTW: you can always buy the GPS in the first link and try out the demo of the software, then just buy the full version if you like it.

mrap1 · 02-03-2004, 08:53 PM

Hey Scorpion, that's a pretty nice setup you got there. I don't think I'm ready to integrate a computer into my car yet, but maybe in a few years.

This is the adapter I was looking at on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3457712826

My laptop uses 19V @ 3.16 amps which this unit seems able to do so I'm hoping it'll be alright. The inverter on getagps.com also seems like it can handle the job for about the same price, which do you think is a better option?

Scorpion23 · 02-03-2004, 10:06 PM

Well, offhand I'd say the inverter is better just because you can use it to power things other than a laptop. And if you get it from the same site as the GPS you save on shipping.

I haven't had much luck in the past with the multiple-voltage adapters before, they seem to go out fairly easily. But if you have a lot of devices that could benifit from a multiple purpose adapter like that it might be the way to go for you.

All things equal I'd go with the inverter, but it comes down to what you think would fit your needs better.

mrap1 · 02-11-2004, 09:47 PM

Back for an update.

So I go ahead and I purchase the HP-505 gps unit which is supposed to come with a trial version of iGuidance. The transaction goes smoothly, I received the package in a timely manner. However, when I go online to register the software (mandatory) apparently the company isn't offering trial versions anymore. Therefore I'm stuck with a useless piece of gps hardware until I buy some software.

These guys (www.getagps.com) are obviously scamming, they know that there is no such thing as a trial version yet they clearly advertise the product as having one.

I guess there's really nothing I can do except to warn people not to buy from this site (www.getagps.com)

And I was wondering Scorpion if you happen to still have your activation code? I ordered some new software from www.deluo.com which will probably get here some time next week, but I really wanted to play with the GPS this weekend. Or if you don't have an activation code if you know of any other navigation software that offers a trial version that I can use until my software gets here.

shakran · 02-11-2004, 09:51 PM

wait, how do you know that they're scamming? Many manufacturers change their lineup without telling EVERY retailer. They may not have known.

mrap1 · 02-12-2004, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shakran
wait, how do you know that they're scamming? Many manufacturers change their lineup without telling EVERY retailer. They may not have known.

Well, that's certainly a valid excuse, however, they have to know now that the trial is discontinued. I even forwarded them an email from the manufacturer stating so. However, they still have the product up on their website without even mentioning that there may be a problem with the software (http://www.getagps.com/products/gps/00-0505-00.htm).

So if they would have adjusted their page in some way to say that the trial is no longer valid then I would believe that it was an honest mistake. But its like 3 days later and nothing has changed. All it takes is a phone call from them to the manufacturer to confirm that the trial no longer exists, and then to write a simple sentence in the product description saying that the trial is no longer valid. If they weren't scamming this would have been done the same day I sent them my complaint.

01-31-2004, 05:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
mrap1 Insane Location: NY	Laptop GPS Does anyone know of a PCMCIA or USB peripheral for a laptop that can give it GPS functionality? I want to setup an inexpensive GPS system for my car using my laptop. Ideally I'd like something that when I give it the destination address in return it gives me spoken turn by turn directions. Similar to ones I've seen in new luxury cars.

01-31-2004, 08:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	We have a GPS unit that has a cable that plugs into the (I believe--its been a while since I have been home and used it) serial port. Along with the Garmin map software, it works very well. We navigated our way around a bunch of unnamed dirt roads in the middle of nowhere with it. Good times. Just make sure you have map software, its almost worthless without it. And a car adapter for the laptop and GPS are a must as well--dont want the batteries dying on you. And make sure someone else is doing the navigation while you are driving. __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato

01-31-2004, 10:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	I just built a navigation system for my car. I got a USB NavRoute GPS for under $100, and it came with a demo of Iguidance which gives you turn by turn directions with voice commands. I got if from here. http://getagps.com/category/laptop.html __________________ "Empirically observed covariation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for causality" - Edward Tufte

02-03-2004, 03:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	I've got the NavRoute hooked up using Streets & Trips and it works fine. The only thing is that you won't have voice commands with it. For that you'll have to use the program that comes with it, or another one that supports voice commands. This one comes with a demo of the voice software, and will also work with 3rd party software like Streets & Trips. $100 http://getagps.com/products/gps/00-0505-00.htm This one is one step above and comes with the full version of the voice software, but is still compatable with 3rd party. $189 http://getagps.com/products/gps/00-0515-00.htm The great thing about these compared to the Garmin is that they're powered off the USB port, so you cut down on cords while increasing mobility. __________________ "Empirically observed covariation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for causality" - Edward Tufte

02-03-2004, 07:44 PM	#11 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	I'm assuming that you're talking about an adapter made for the laptop, as opposed to something like a power inverter. It should be fine as long as you have fuse protection, of course brand name matters here. You don't really want some generic adapter that may not be a perfect match for your hardware. As far as the safety goes it should be fine. Just keep the engine running while you use it so you don't wear the battery down. If, on the other hand, you're talking about a power inverter you need to look at more than just the fuse protection. Namely the wattage supplied by the device and the voltage regulation. I've done both for more than 12 hours at a time before and I don't see any problem with it. I did the same thing until I broke down and installed a mini-itx computer in my car. Now I've got GPS, OBD II diagnostics, mp3 and video. With a touchscreen too BTW: you can always buy the GPS in the first link and try out the demo of the software, then just buy the full version if you like it. __________________ "Empirically observed covariation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for causality" - Edward Tufte

01-31-2004, 05:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
saltfish !?!No hay pantalones!?! Location: Indian-no-place	There are several different kinds. You'll find many of them are CompactFlash with a PCMCIA adapters. Do a Google search for PCMCIA GPS and you'll find tons of them. Many of them even come with map software. -SF

01-31-2004, 07:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
mrap1 Insane Location: NY	I kinda like this one called copilot: http://mightygps.com/copilot2003.htm Has anyone here ever used this, or maybe have another suggestion for something better?

02-01-2004, 06:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
mrap1 Insane Location: NY	I'm a little unclear how this stuff works. Can I just buy the USB NavRoute GPS and then use it with my own mapping software, like MS Street and Trips? Would it still give me voice turn by turn directions? If so the NavRoute would be an awesome option considering it's so cheap. I thought I was going to have to spend over $400 for what I wanted.

02-02-2004, 10:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
happymaan Insane Location: los angeles	If you buy any of the garmin etrex GPS you can hook that up via serial port (and powered by the cigarette lighter) to a PC running garmins mapsource softwear. That software does provice voice instructions.

02-03-2004, 06:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
mrap1 Insane Location: NY	I think I'm going to go with the second link you posted, seems like a more practical solution. I already own MS Street and Trips, but I really want those voice prompted directions, too bad the software doesn't support it. Also, I realized that I'm going to need some type of car AC adapter for the laptop (the battery doesn't last more than two hours). I was looking at one on Ebay for about $20. The auction does say fuse protection, but do you think it's safe (for the laptop and the car) to plug the laptop for extended periods of time into the car?

02-03-2004, 08:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
mrap1 Insane Location: NY	Hey Scorpion, that's a pretty nice setup you got there. I don't think I'm ready to integrate a computer into my car yet, but maybe in a few years. This is the adapter I was looking at on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3457712826 My laptop uses 19V @ 3.16 amps which this unit seems able to do so I'm hoping it'll be alright. The inverter on getagps.com also seems like it can handle the job for about the same price, which do you think is a better option? Last edited by mrap1; 02-03-2004 at 08:56 PM..

02-03-2004, 10:06 PM	#13 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	Well, offhand I'd say the inverter is better just because you can use it to power things other than a laptop. And if you get it from the same site as the GPS you save on shipping. I haven't had much luck in the past with the multiple-voltage adapters before, they seem to go out fairly easily. But if you have a lot of devices that could benifit from a multiple purpose adapter like that it might be the way to go for you. All things equal I'd go with the inverter, but it comes down to what you think would fit your needs better. __________________ "Empirically observed covariation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for causality" - Edward Tufte

02-11-2004, 09:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
mrap1 Insane Location: NY	Back for an update. So I go ahead and I purchase the HP-505 gps unit which is supposed to come with a trial version of iGuidance. The transaction goes smoothly, I received the package in a timely manner. However, when I go online to register the software (mandatory) apparently the company isn't offering trial versions anymore. Therefore I'm stuck with a useless piece of gps hardware until I buy some software. These guys (www.getagps.com) are obviously scamming, they know that there is no such thing as a trial version yet they clearly advertise the product as having one. I guess there's really nothing I can do except to warn people not to buy from this site (www.getagps.com) And I was wondering Scorpion if you happen to still have your activation code? I ordered some new software from www.deluo.com which will probably get here some time next week, but I really wanted to play with the GPS this weekend. Or if you don't have an activation code if you know of any other navigation software that offers a trial version that I can use until my software gets here.

02-11-2004, 09:51 PM	#15 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	wait, how do you know that they're scamming? Many manufacturers change their lineup without telling EVERY retailer. They may not have known.