PDA + GPS + Mac

[Metabarca]

Here is the scenario: I would like to buy a PDA with GPS facility (or GPS with PDA facility) and use it on board and in the hills. Specifically, this means buying the relevant electronic chart for marine use, but also being able to scan a map of my local mountains and download it via my Mac to the PDA. Does such a beast exist?

Confused of Trieste /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Yep... look at Pocket Navigator

Uses BSB2 scanned Admiralty charts, and Ordnance Survey maps....

Ooh... just re-read.... not sur about the Mac support... you might need to find a friend with a Windows PC for the initial download.....

 

[Graham_Wright]

Try posting on MacSailing.net.

Should find some help there.

 

[fireball]

It is possible to use any Windoze program on a MAC, just need the Windoze emulator ... comes with the new version of Office Pro for Mac ... does seem a little odd though - running dodgy programs on a perfectly good computer ...

 

[rickp]

Depends on the PDA. Palm stuff works quite well with the Mac, however the Windows-type PDAs need addtional 3rd party software. PocketMac and The Missing Sync are two alternatives but both give me problems. The latest beta for Missing Sync supposedly improves things, but although I am on the beta trial, I've yet to get the software yet. Ho hum.

Rick

 

[Metabarca]

[ QUOTE ]
does seem a little odd though - running dodgy programs on a perfectly good computer ...

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[branko]

My oppinion is that you will spend a lot of money and buy an expencive toy with whom you will play once eventually twice. I think that every technology which is smaller than Laptop is not usable for all time, specially when you need to connect and switch on different devices on board.
Why you do not think about real Radar / Chartplotter for boat and 2 beers for mountains! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Your Mac can be than a secondary unit if I understand well.
I can help you with Navigational software free of charge in that case !

 

[Metabarca]

OK (groan), so let's assume I have access to Windoze and am prepared to use it (!), what's the best set-up, someone?

p.s. Thx for the macsail tip; I'll try it out.

Lucian

 

[BigLes]

I have an iPaq 4150 connected to my Mac G5. I use a software utility called Missing Sync Pocket PC which allows the Windows CE iPaq to connect to the Mac. Using iSync I can exchange diary and contacts details between the Mac and iPaq. Missing Sync also allows me to mount the iPaq onto my desktop as a device that can be accessed like a hard drive. So you are able to drag and drop files from the Mac to the iPaq. I use TomTom GPS software on the iPaq. I'm not sure which software would run charts or OS maps on the iPaq, and if you do find an appropriate package you will need to ensure any maps/charts can be uploaded via the Mac.

Hope this helps.

 

[oldharry]

Not quite sure why you want to do the complicated way with a PDA. There are plenty of excellent handheld GPS mapping units which will give you all the info you need for hill walking etc. My Magellan doubles as a chart plotter on board and shorebased Gps mapper for off road cycling trips, all wrapped in a nice lightweight waterproof rubber case that goes in my pocket.

 

[Metabarca]

Sounds as though it's a bit complicated using PDA + GPS (although I like the sound of i-Sync). So, next question: can I scan and upload maps to a handheld plotter?

 

[seancharles]

Anyone know of a combined PDA GPS and Mobile phone.
Cheers !

 

[Birdseye]

There is a program called panavue image assembler that I have played with to stich together bits of charts / maps that I have scanned. Havent done enough to really recommend it, but it does seem to work and I did succeed in getting the image into a charting program and locating us with a gps. Try www.panavue.com