The GPS question

[NetApex]

Ok after some research and some questioning, I went and purchased (off of eBay non-the-less) a bluetooth GPS for my phone. (At the time I had the PPC-6600) I was able to get the device for around $80 and since I had the phone anyway, I am not going to include that into the price. After all, I didnt get the phone so I could have GPS right? The software I "aquired" from a long distance annoymous associate. So we will just say that to get GPS it cost me $80. Of course the most asked question isnt "how much does it cost" (although that is always a factor) the question usually is "which one and why?" Well I will give you my reasons and results to those questions.

I chose to go with the i-Blue ( http://www.iternet.com.tw/b-gps/ps3200-f.htm ) because it is small (think zippo lighter size...kinda bulky for a keychain but entirely possible. It usually aquires a signal in under a minute, start GPS software, buckle up, adjust seats, insert favorite CD and it should have your current location on the screen ready to go. There were other GPS terms that people threw around a lot "NMEA, GGA, GSA, GSV, (and, the, or, yes, no)" and it met what I read as a standard set of requirements in all of those areas. Basically it was "as good as any other one" but the part that stood out to me was the auto power feature which gives it more that 360 hours of standby time, or 30 hours of nonstop "You are here" info. It allows you to turn it on and just forget about it until you need it. Once you start you GPS program it will awake from its sleep mode and start looking for a signal.

It was a snap to use with my 6600 but connecting was a little less intuitive using the 67 (after pairing, I created an outgoing port and connected it to the i-Blue, used the regedit to show the GPS panel and set the hardware to COM 6 and software to none *had it on 4 previously, but after a hard reset I left it at none and it works fine* and then had the GPS software, iGuidance, look to COM 6)...piece of cake. After all that though, you just need to start your software and it takes care of itself. When it comes to mapping software, that is a strictly personal choice issue I believe. I prefer iGuidance, although I like TomTom as a close second. Others feel the other way around, or even like Mapopolis better. But most all agree the MS Streets and Trips is to be overlooked to to lack of voice prompts...but if you are buying software, $30 for MS software may be worth the silence.

So if you have a GPS and like it, dislike it, or have questions, pipe in and lets see what others have to say.