PDA advice needed

[Tarka1]

I'm looking into buying a PDA to use as a navigation system in the car and on the boat. PC world are doing a couple of deals on the HP1710 and Navman ICN610, has anybody got any views on these or recommendations for others at around £300 (inc GPS)?

 

[aluijten]

What you could consider is try to buy an 'old' IPAQ 5500 or 5400 via ebay and also the rugged enclosure. You will also need the extension pack with battery. With backlight off (not needed during daytime) the thing will last for a day and via Bluetooth you can interface the GPS signal. I've got this setup and it's quite nice for usage in the cockpit as it's splashproof.
I don't think the newer models are supported by a rugged enclosure.

Ciao,
Arno

 

[Guest]

Google for MIO 168 or 268 models .... they have built in GPS receiver .... all you need do then is install a plotter program and a few charts ... on the 168 - there are some really good deals ....

there are other all in one pda's ... sony etc.

 

[Viscount]

I use an IPAQ 5550 with OziExploerCE. My old Furuno GPS feeds into the serial port of the PDA cradle directly. Also have a Socket GP0828-563 GPS which works via Bluetooth with the IPAQ - this works on boat and car. Not sure of cost of 5550 these days but the Socket GPS was about £60 and recharges/operates from 12v and comes with a cigarette lighter type cable.

 

[Tarka1]

Thanks for the advice, I have now bought the HP710. Now the fun starts when I try to get charts off the laptop on to the PDA!!!

 

[DERF]

Tarka, try sending mjf a PM. I know he has a PDA for this and is chuffed to bits with it.


I've seen it in use and it is pretty impressive.