PDA/GPS rec?

[Blinking]

Does anybody use a PDA for boat GPS use?

I don't know much about PDA's and my boyfriend wants one for xmas.

His requirements are:
Must have GPS - he intends to use this on his boat (and car) I presume you can buy marine mapping software etc - this does not need to come with the PDA as he can buy these himself at a later date (I'm also assuming this would bump the price of the PDA up if I bought them already installed?)

Wireless/wifi access - but not a phone, as he's not allowed to have mobile switched on at work for security reasons.

Comes with/or available seperately waterproof case (for use on boat)

He'd like all the usual software etc, and I'd like to get him a good name brand one (I had a pda solely for satnav, when I had a problem with it, it was really hard to fix and difficult to get advice from forums etc - it was a Medion - in the end I swapped it for a tomtom).

Anyway, I'd greatly appreciate any advice, I don't really know where to start researching the best one! My budget it maximum £200 - thats really pushing it tho!

 

[Hurricane]

I use an HP iPaq on the boat - it doesnt have a GPS but I bought a Bluetooth GPS that works well with it. This means you can move around the boat without worrying if you will loose contact with the satellites - just keep near the Bluetooth GPS.

I use Memory-Map software and the Maptech charts.
The whole system works very well.

Have a look here http://www.memory-map.co.uk/

 

[Frontier]

Your budget might be a bit tight, last time I looked I think a Bluetooth GPS for PDA's was around £100, and a PDA with good spec will probably be at least that. (on Ebay)

Then you need the software, I dont know how much that is but probably at least another £80 maybe more.

Have a look on Ebay for the Bluetooth GPS and a PDA, but check out the sellers feedback and maybe watch one for a while to see they dont dissapear over night.

D

 

[Blinking]

Thanks for all your replies. I've just had a very quick look on the net and you can get a pda with gps from £134 upwards, so I think I'll just get him a pda with a good spec. and then he can buy the marine maps himself.

Hurricane - do you rely on your pda setup 100%, is it really accurate or do you also use a backup proper marine gps?

Thanks very much for your help guys - really apprieciate it!

 

[Hurricane]

Oh no
The PDA setup is only for extra info.
I wouldnt rely on it - I use the boat's systems first.
The PDA does give a good confirmation of how things are going though.

 

[PRH]

I used a MIO with GPS and it worked very well until I went across Christchurch bay in heavy seas that were breaking over the top and the spray got into the card reader slot.....
It still works but the card connectors are burnt and on that day the battery went flat for obvious reasons.

Also the screen size is a bit small and it is hellish to see the screen in direct sunlight.

You are better off going for a purpose built unit. I got a Lowrance 5500 for about £370 this year with a cartridge - there are cheaper plotters on the market, its the waterproof (assuming you are in an exposed position) and sunlight viewable that you need.

 

[Blinking]

Well he's a fair weather sailor, and as he hasn't got any kind of GPS at all (apart from my tomtom, that he's made me get out on occasion /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif ) his normal stance is, if he can't see it then he ain't going anywhere!

Also its only a small boat, range 50 miles or so. So I think a GPS will be better than what he's already got! lol!

 

[Hurricane]

I'd second PRH's comments.
Get a purpose built setup for the boat.
The PDA thing must be considered as additional IMHO.