PDA for boat and car.Advice wanted

[Samphire]

Any electronics /computer wizards out there please. I want to purchase a device (PDA or handheld GPS) that is compatible with C-Map NT cartridges for use on the boat and also can give me Land Rover navigation for offroading. The article in this months YM on page 36 has me confused..........Seems what I need is the new Garmin Quest which will run Map Source,for offroad (as per Pumpkin advert) except it is not C map compatible for boat use. OR Something like the Compaq iPAQ which again seems unable to use C-Map. Any advice appreciated.Thanks.

 

[silvertop]

Why does it have to be C Map? I use an HP PDA with a Navman Jacket running Maptech on boat and Navmans own SmartST in car. Works perfect for me and a dam site cheaper than C map.
Only my opinion.

Don

 

[BlueChip]

The latest generation PDA have VGA (high) resolution screens which is definitely worth getting for map or chart work. Not too much software supported at that resolution yet but it will come.
Get one with bluetooth and buy a bluetooth GPS on eBay for about £50

I use TomTom Navigation software in the car which is brilliant.

 

[Samphire]

[ QUOTE ]
Why does it have to be C Map? I use an HP PDA with a Navman Jacket running Maptech on boat and Navmans own SmartST in car. Works perfect for me and a dam site cheaper than C map.
Only my opinion.

Don

[/ QUOTE ]
Sounds like you have a good system there,must check it out.My only reason for wanting C Map compatable is that I have a good plotter and loads of cartridges onboard already and wanted the PDA/Handheld as a backup.

 

[silvertop]

Sounds familiar, I have just upgraded my radio to DCS but PDA dosnt have NMEA, so bought a second hand plotter to enable radio to display location. Yes youve guesed, plotter takes C Map NT.

Lifes never simple.

Don

 

[Woody]

I have an iPAQ running TomTom software in the car with a Navman GPS jacket. The Smart Explorer software that the Navman came with enables me to use Maptech charts. I tried this for the first time on the water over Christmas and although the screen is quite small, it worked well. The software also enables you to scan paper charts, although I have yet to try this.

I usually use Maptech charts and software on the Laptop for planning purposes, although I can link the Laptop to the fixed GPS on the boat if I need to.

I hope this helps.

 

[DrBob]

The YM article talked about networking a PDA with a PC on the boat so acting as a repeater on deck for the PC running whatever charting prog was on it. Anyone got any idea if this will work?

Dr Bob