pocket pc / bluetooth pgs receiver / memory maps

lloyd said:

Does anyone have any experience using a pocket pc with a bluetooth gps
receiver and memory map software for cycletouring or mountainbiking?
I'm particularly interested in just how reliable the setup is. I
already have the pocket ps / gps receiver (tomtom navigator v5) and
am trying to decide whether to buy the memory map software or fork out
for a garmin and the topo maps.

Also, in case I buy the memory map software and it turns out to be a
mistake just how usefull would it be with a garmin? As I understand
it you cant actually load the memory maps onto the garmins, is that
correct?

If you're happy with the phone/gps combo and it works for TomTom then
I can vouch for MemoryMap v5 software, the interface when installed
onto the Pocket device (with a touch-screen - don't know about
without) is quite good, certainly good enough to work out where you
currently are and where your headed to. An alternative is Anquet maps
- a smidge cheaper but totally un-usable thanks to a rubbish, rushed
and unworkable interface and general lazy ill thought out programming.

I maybe out of date here, but I thought that the Garmin couldn't
display OS maps yet, at least not memory map ones. Advantages of a
Garmin device would be waterproofness and battery life. But you can
counteract these for your PocketPC with an aqua-pack and pedal-power
dyno (haven't tried the dyno yet, apparently you may be better of
replacing the dyno for a better one, or if you're electronically able
- supply your own power gizmos between the dyno and the phone) - but
it should work...

HTH,

Duncan

Duncan Smith said:

lloyd said:

Does anyone have any experience using a pocket pc with a bluetooth gps
receiver and memory map software for cycletouring or mountainbiking?
I'm particularly interested in just how reliable the setup is. I
already have the pocket ps / gps receiver (tomtom navigator v5) and
am trying to decide whether to buy the memory map software or fork out
for a garmin and the topo maps.

My Garmin does not have a huge amount of memory, and I can only load a
small amount of map into the unit at one time.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Also, in case I buy the memory map software and it turns out to be a
mistake just how usefull would it be with a garmin? As I understand
it you cant actually load the memory maps onto the garmins, is that
correct?

If you're happy with the phone/gps combo and it works for TomTom then
I can vouch for MemoryMap v5 software, the interface when installed
onto the Pocket device (with a touch-screen - don't know about
without) is quite good, certainly good enough to work out where you
currently are and where your headed to. An alternative is Anquet maps
- a smidge cheaper but totally un-usable thanks to a rubbish, rushed
and unworkable interface and general lazy ill thought out programming.

I maybe out of date here, but I thought that the Garmin couldn't
display OS maps yet, at least not memory map ones.

I own a Garmin, and it claims that the only maps you can use are
proprietary Garmin maps. There are a few free maps around that can also
be used, but nothing like memory maps.

Quoted message said:

Advantages of a
Garmin device would be waterproofness and battery life.

Batteries last about 17 hours for my unit (is the claim which sounds
about right). Of course it does not help when I leave it turned on in a
pocket or rucksack.

"lloyd" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone have any experience using a pocket pc with a bluetooth gps
receiver and memory map software for cycletouring or mountainbiking?

A little - more for walking though.

Quoted message said:

I'm particularly interested in just how reliable the setup is. I
already have the pocket ps / gps receiver (tomtom navigator v5) and

I have a pocket pc and a Orange SPV and both these work with a bluetooth
reciever. The reciever has a 20 odd hour battery but the phone and ppc will
both run for only a few hours - but I am looking at wiring up to a dynamo
through some electronics and a longer lasting li-ion battery and
charging/powering as I go. Also remember that none of this setup is
waterproof so you will need an Otterbox or similar which are not cheap and
neither are the bike mounting brackets.

Quoted message said:

am trying to decide whether to buy the memory map software

There is no problem with that - it works fine.

or fork out

Quoted message said:

for a garmin and the topo maps.

I beleive that these are not as detailed as OS maps and whilst you can use
the tracklog on MemoryMap from the garmin to a PC or vice versa you cannot
use the MMap software on a Garmin.

Quoted message said:

Also, in case I buy the memory map software and it turns out to be a
mistake just how usefull would it be with a garmin?

As above - you can use it in conjunction with and using a PC but not
directly on the Garmin.

As I understand

Quoted message said:

it you cant actually load the memory maps onto the garmins, is that
correct?

Yes that is correct.

Dave

Dave said:

"lloyd" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone have any experience using a pocket pc with a bluetooth gps
receiver and memory map software for cycletouring or mountainbiking?

A little - more for walking though.

Quoted message said:

I'm particularly interested in just how reliable the setup is. I
already have the pocket ps / gps receiver (tomtom navigator v5) and

I have a pocket pc and a Orange SPV and both these work with a bluetooth
reciever. The reciever has a 20 odd hour battery but the phone and ppc will
both run for only a few hours - but I am looking at wiring up to a dynamo
through some electronics and a longer lasting li-ion battery and
charging/powering as I go. Also remember that none of this setup is
waterproof so you will need an Otterbox or similar which are not cheap and
neither are the bike mounting brackets.

Quoted message said:

am trying to decide whether to buy the memory map software

There is no problem with that - it works fine.

or fork out

Quoted message said:

for a garmin and the topo maps.

I beleive that these are not as detailed as OS maps and whilst you can use
the tracklog on MemoryMap from the garmin to a PC or vice versa you cannot
use the MMap software on a Garmin.

Quoted message said:

Also, in case I buy the memory map software and it turns out to be a
mistake just how usefull would it be with a garmin?

As above - you can use it in conjunction with and using a PC but not
directly on the Garmin.

As I understand

Quoted message said:

it you cant actually load the memory maps onto the garmins, is that
correct?

Yes that is correct.

Dave

Thanks everyone for the feedback - been alot of help. Sounds like the
pocket pc approach is worth a try. As for mounting I'm going to order
one of these

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360022365

Its supposed to be used with a bar bag but I'm going to see if i can
work out some way to attach it with out.

Thanks again
Lloyd