Guest bingobob Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 I've ben reading around the forums a little and it seems that my Vario can become a capable GPS/Satnav device. From what I can tell/guess I'll need 3 things to get it going.... * Bluetooth GPS receiver * GPS Software (e.g. TomTom) * Micro SD memory card (to store the maps - I assume that these are massive and I won't be able to keep them on the built in memory) Am I right? Have I missed anything (maybe a cradle for the car). There seem to be so many Bluetooth GPS units on ebay - anyone recommend one? is it possible to get a mobile GPS Bluetooth receiver - I like the idea that I can use the vario for GPS navigation when walking around etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest awarner (MVP) Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Yep you've got everything listed, the best car mount to get is made by Brodit. Regarding the storage card the average map of Great Britain for example is around 128MB so get a decent 1 to 2 GB card minimum. If you are looking at general walking along roads then most GPS software will do this now but if it's more off road and footpaths then you may need more specialist software which is generally not that cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jimbouk Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 I would simply get copilot live 6 - the package comes with everything you need (except it comes on a mini sd card - so as above, get a 1 or 2 gb microsd and load it on that (along with music pics etc) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bingobob Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 I would simply get copilot live 6 - the package comes with everything you need (except it comes on a mini sd card - so as above, get a 1 or 2 gb microsd and load it on that (along with music pics etc) really - includes a GPS reciever andf software ? Nice is it portable ? and is it better than TomTom I keep hearing about ? How much ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jimbouk Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 It comes with everything - bt gps receiver, software, the whole of europe on disk (and a licence for one region/country) and a charger lead with a splitter so you can charge the phone and GPS at the same time. All you need is space on a microsd card. I think it retails for about £130 but I bought one brand new in the box on ebay for £80. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bingobob Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 I think I'll go for a GPS receiver off ebay to start with. Any tips - there seem to be loads advertised? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bingobob Posted December 29, 2006 Report Share Posted December 29, 2006 anyone know about this... I am totally new to the world of gps receuvers and I don't want to buy a dud I need sirfiii compatible I think are 32 channel devices the best? there are loads on ebay. are they all portable ie battery powered? ta bb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AndrewH13 Posted December 29, 2006 Report Share Posted December 29, 2006 I've ben reading around the forums a little and it seems that my Vario can become a capable GPS/Satnav device. There seem to be so many Bluetooth GPS units on ebay - anyone recommend one? is it possible to get a mobile GPS Bluetooth receiver - I like the idea that I can use the vario for GPS navigation when walking around etc? I use the TomTom gps receiver (included with Navigator6) for walking and Geocaching. Works fairly well but probably not as good as a dedicated handheld (then again I am comparing with £300 Garmin). Trying out walking software at present, most give a 30 day trial. BEELINEGPS seems best so far although NavigatorII is simple and counts down the milliage while driving to a co-ordinate before getting out and walking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest matho Posted December 29, 2006 Report Share Posted December 29, 2006 I've been using the Holux GPSlim 236 receiver for over a year now and it's been great - very fast to get a satellite fix, very reliable and has worked with any GPS software I've tried... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grumpy_old_technobyte Posted December 29, 2006 Report Share Posted December 29, 2006 Yep you've got everything listed, the best car mount to get is made by Brodit. Regarding the storage card the average map of Great Britain for example is around 128MB so get a decent 1 to 2 GB card minimum. If you are looking at general walking along roads then most GPS software will do this now but if it's more off road and footpaths then you may need more specialist software which is generally not that cheap. http://www.semsons.com/aripmobvenmo.html I have to agree that Brodit does make a tasty car mount, but I am liking the non-suction one from semsons. It's cheap, easy to move to another vehicle, and has a space for the charger to fit. It is made for the ipod but because you can adjust it to whatever size you want with cushioned grips it is tops. Ive used it with the MDA, SDA, 3125 and a SLVR L7. $5.99 for white, $7.99 for black. Also, for the price, you cant beat the Gsat BT 359 and iGuidance v3! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bingobob Posted December 30, 2006 Report Share Posted December 30, 2006 thanks. Not sure if I should go for a GPS that uses 32 channels ? is this a better option? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bingobob Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 thanks. Not sure if I should go for a GPS that uses 32 channels ? is this a better option? Anyone ? are these any good? ebay link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dwj Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Im not familiar with that one but I can recommend the new one from Globalsat. the bt-359. If you search online I'm sure you will find glowing reviews for it everywhere. Its small & thin to fit in your pocket and speaking of which, you could probably keep it there as it seems to be so powerful you dont even need to have it near the car window for it to work perfectly. I've driven all over uk and even when its shut in the glove box it still partners tomtom accurately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bingobob Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Im not familiar with that one but I can recommend the new one from Globalsat. the bt-359. If you search online I'm sure you will find glowing reviews for it everywhere. Its small & thin to fit in your pocket and speaking of which, you could probably keep it there as it seems to be so powerful you dont even need to have it near the car window for it to work perfectly. I've driven all over uk and even when its shut in the glove box it still partners tomtom accurately. Thanks for this, I'm now V V keen to take the plunge and buy a GPS receiver (having just seen TomTom 6 in action) - it seems great - i wish it was better for walkers though ? any tips? Now, I see the bt-359 on ebay - quite pricey though ? Do i really need this one, what are the advantages over the really cheapo ones, 30/40 quid? ta bb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Confucious Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 It looks nice! Nothing wrong with BT-321 wich are a lot cheaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bingobob Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 It looks nice! Nothing wrong with BT-321 wich are a lot cheaper what's the difference though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bingobob Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 what's the difference though? hmmm also - i heard i needed SIRF III - don;t think that one is SIRF III. What's SIRF III anyways and why would I need it !! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BrownSource Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 I understand (not authoritatively tho!) that currently you can only ever get a fix on max 12 satellites at any one time as the other 12 are on the other side of the globe - this is the USA owned sats - there are other constellations under development by Europe (Galilleo) and China, so buying a 32 channel will give you an element of future proofing, if we one day end up with 60 odd sats circling our lil spec in the universe. I used to use a BT77 12 channel GPS I bought from ebay for £40 and works just fine with my MDA3 - you would need to go through a long tunnel before you lose fix, and even then you do get quick re-fix - most times the readout says I'm connected to 8-9 sats. My MDA Compact 3 with built in GPS is working well - I use TT6 but ppl I know using CoPilot just as happy - as with a prev post you do get dual split charging lead in the box with CoPilot hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bingobob Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 I understand (not authoritatively tho!) that currently you can only ever get a fix on max 12 satellites at any one time as the other 12 are on the other side of the globe - this is the USA owned sats - there are other constellations under development by Europe (Galilleo) and China, so buying a 32 channel will give you an element of future proofing, if we one day end up with 60 odd sats circling our lil spec in the universe. I used to use a BT77 12 channel GPS I bought from ebay for £40 and works just fine with my MDA3 - you would need to go through a long tunnel before you lose fix, and even then you do get quick re-fix - most times the readout says I'm connected to 8-9 sats. My MDA Compact 3 with built in GPS is working well - I use TT6 but ppl I know using CoPilot just as happy - as with a prev post you do get dual split charging lead in the box with CoPilot hope this helps Anyone know of any high street retailers that sell these bluetooth gps recievers? I'm assuming this is one of those things where ebay is the best place to buy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest awarner (MVP) Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Yep ebay is about as cheap as they get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bingobob Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 ok, i'm ready to buy. But i gott a choose between the budget 321 or the nicer 359. Recommendations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Confucious Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Pays your money and take your choice. 321 will work well. 359 looks nicer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bingobob Posted January 19, 2007 Report Share Posted January 19, 2007 hmmm, any more views. Still just on the edge. Are they both USB chargeable? that would be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bingobob Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 hmmm, any more views. Still just on the edge. Are they both USB chargeable? that would be good. Anyone else on this, I'm just hoping to have something that'll be portable for when I'm walking and maybe something that I can charge up at home and in the car via the ciggy lighter socket, hopefully some sort of splitter so i can charge the GPS and the vario at the same time. bb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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