travelmadness

I have a pocket pc I rarely use, so I'm thinking of mounting it in my Z as a GPS unit.

I noticed there are software/antenna/power adapter kits that turn pocket pcs to GPS mapping devices for your car.

This seems really cool, and cheap - GPS kit is about $100-$200.

The kit I saw was made by http://www.spacemachine.net/


Has anyone used these??

Any feedback is *greatly* appreciated!

Thanks !

Michael-Dallas

I use a Navman sleeve for my iPaq and it works really well.

Michael.

iggman

I use a "Holux" compact flash receiver and "Mapopolis" software with my Dell Axim. It works great.

I don't use it every day around town, but, only when I'm going on long trips.

travelmadness

anyone tried running an external screen in their car off their pocket pc?

i was thinking i could have the pocket pc mounted down low, and then have a second display in the factory nav. compartment.

thoughts?

westpak

iTrader: (19)

Ditto, and it works great with voice and redoing the route if you miss a turn plus you can ppoints of interest as well with mapolis and search for nearest gas station for example. Much better than the 2000 dollar option from Nissan.

john.laninga

I have an iPAQ 5455 with Bluetooth, and bought a bluetooth GPS system. It isn't as versatile as the built in nav system, but it works well, and does the job. I'm now trying to figure out how to mount it inside the nav area.

What I'm thinking is to mount a desktop interface (the one that holds the iPAQ) above the stereo but below the bottom "floor" of the nav aea. Hope that made some sense...

If I do this I still have my PocketPC for everyday use simply by removing it from the NAV area, and use it as a GPS again by just plugging it back in.

I added a 512MByte SD card and have Western NC, Detroit, Dallas, Chicago, San Antonio, Charlotte and Spartanburg PLUS all major nationwide highways loaded and still have more than half the card.

John

travelmadness

I just found software called "dotpocket" www.dotpocket.com - that allows you to view your pocketpc screen in landscape version.

Do any of these pocketpc mapping softwares allow you to view the program in landscape version, or only portrait?

If you could flip to landscape, it might work just to mount the pocket pc sideways in the nav compartment as a screen itself...???

john.laninga

That looks like a very interesting program, and for $30 bucks it's worth a try. I'll download it tomorrow and try it out.

No question that sideways mounting would simplify things greatly and should allow the iPAQ to mount with minimal or no mods.

Thanks!

John

travelmadness

I just got this email reply from pocketmap.com ---

----------------
I am sorry. PocketMap Navigator maps is designed to be viewed in the normal
position, not landscape mode.

Regards,
Joyce
PocketMap Support Team
PocketMap Navigator 2003 - The Advanced, Full-Featured and Easy To Use
Personal Navigator.
Check Out the Latest Specials: www.pocketmapstore.com
------------------


Maybe other GPS software programs allow for landscape viewing on pocketpcs?

iggman

I just checked my "Mapopolis" software and there isn't an option of viewing the program in landscape mode.

I like your idea of running a second screen mounted in the factory nav. compartment. Unfortunately, I've never seen any external screens for pocket pc's offered. But, let us know if you find one!

travelmadness

I did a quick search on the internet for running external screens from pocket pcs... and it looks like it is possible.

If anyone figures this one out, this could be a great way to add cheap (and good) navigation systems to cars......

john.laninga

"Dotpocket" does work well in allowing you to rotate and resize your screen. However, the mapping software I have resets the screen to portrait, so that does not look like it will work. I'll keep trying though...