Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 23:56:18 -0800 (PST) From: David Chien <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Recommendations for Great GPS software?
Okay, so I was bored this week and bought a Billionton CompactFlash GPS unit for my Libretto (http://www.billionton.com/). If you buy one, you may be confused at first when it asks for drivers for the card, but can't find any. You MUST manually choose which driver to install and that is a STANDARD COMMUNNICATIONS PORT (eg. COM port/serial port). Next, bring up the device properties for the new COM port assigned to the GPS card, and set the baud rate to 4800. That's it! It'll be accessible from any NEMA compatible program thereafter. The unit is okay. It can't lock on when I'm inside my house, and even next to a window, it needs the external antenna to lock on. Outside, I can lock on with the external antenna, but the startup then can be very slow 3+ minutes. I usually just plug in the external antenna to achieve a lock, then unplug it and the internal antenna can then pickup all the sats anywhere I drive with the Libretto in the passenger seat. Not bad for about $140 on www.ebay.com. Sensitivity could be higher indoors. Would it be realistic to get even better reception with other GPS units? (PCMCIA/CF and/or handhelds with cable adapters) ----- Now, my thing. I'm running off a free copy of Microsoft MapPoint 2002, which is actually quite nice in many regards for navigation, mapping, and finding addresses in the USA. However, there are a few minuses so I'm hoping there are better software. 1. The program updates the screen every 15 seconds for my location. Great if you're on a bike, but in a car, that means you'll easily pass 3-6 street entrances by the time the program gets around to updating my location. Thus, any GPS programs that update faster/in real-time based on my past velocity/current data? 2. Doesn't turn the map so that your relative heading is pointing towards the upper edge of the screen. Any GPS programs that'll turn the map to face the direction you are facing? I know cars have this already - eg. the Infiniti G35's GPS map does this. 3. Faster screen updates. MapPoint is okay, but I can see that if my car runs off the screen, the map refresh to recenter me takes a few seconds. Would like it to be faster. 4. 3D? I think Delore Topo can do it, but can it run fast enough on a Libretto 110? Maybe something more like the navi software in cars? --- Any other nice programs to look at? Anyways, I only wish the antenna was hinged because it does stick straight out of the Libretto, so I do have to be careful to put it down so it doesn't snap off. Now I just gotta find someone with an idea where some nice hiking spots are in Los Angeles for a weekend day trip to test this baby ;) d =) ===== adorable toshiba libretto The latest news and information for the Toshiba Libretto owner. http://www.silverace.com/libretto/ __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? HotJobs - Search new jobs daily now http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/ ************************************************************** http://libretto.basiclink.com - Libretto mailing list http://www.silverace.com/libretto/ - Archives -------TO UNSUBSCRIBE------- Reply to any of the list messages. The reply mail should be addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Then replace any text on the message's subject line: cmd:unsubscribe --------TO UNSUBSCRIBE DIGEST------ Do above but with this on subject line: cmd:unsubscribe digest **************************************************************
