New GPS products from Garmin.

[JB]

A few weeks ago we had a conversation about adding GPS capabilities to a PDA. Before that we had one about adding GPS capabilities to a laptop.<br /><br />I was miserably obsolete at that time, but I have done a bit of research.<br /><br />Garmin now offers a GPS adapter to add on to PDAs and a PDA with built in GPS. The line is called iQue.<br /><br />Due to be released this month is another very exciting product, the GPS 18, which adds on to a laptop to add GPS to it. Best of all, the GPS 18 is MSRP at under $170!<br /><br />Get the details at Garmin international's web site and look for them soon in the Mega Mall.<br /><br />I am not a Garmin employee, nor do I own stock in Garmin. I don't know what other makers may be offering or cooking up. Just updating y'all.

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: New GPS products from Garmin.

Thanks for the update,much appreciated info

 

[mattttt25]

Re: New GPS products from Garmin.

jb- how much do you know about this gps 18? for $170, could i plug it into my laptop and instantly have a nice color chartplotter to take whereever i am? would be nice.

 

[JB]

Re: New GPS products from Garmin.

What I know, Mattttt, is only what I read on the Garmin website.<br /><br />The package includes StreetPilot-like software, but I think it should work with any Mapsource-compatible CD.<br /><br />Considering that one can find nice laptops on eBay for a few hundred bux it looks like a major breakthrough.<br /><br />I gonna get one!

 

[Xcusme]

Re: New GPS products from Garmin.

JB, Here's another option. The models come in both serial and USB. I have the USB version, and it works a treat. A search with the keyword BU-303 will produce the hits needed.<br />The prices can't be beat!<br /><br /> Serial Version <br /><br /> USB Version

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: New GPS products from Garmin.

I looked into making one with an extra laptop<br />I have laying around (see old thread), but once<br />you add up all you need, it becomes cheaper to<br />just buy a GPS. good antanea's are about $100<br />and the software is another $100 or more for the<br />better versions.<br />I bought my first used/cheap GPS last week off<br />Ebay for $75, figure'd I'd see how much I really<br />used one before I fork out the big bucks.<br /><br />P.S. if you need a laptop JB, I can hook you up.<br />don't sell them myself, but have several good<br />vendors who do and they would be fully warranteed<br />etc. so you know what yur getting, unlike some<br />Ebay puters.....

 

[JB]

Re: New GPS products from Garmin.

Don't agree that it is cheaper to just get a GPS, MY. Not if you want a 14" hi-res color screen, world class detailed mapping and navigation software including voice guidance, etc.<br /><br />The ability to work directly from the CD gives you memory capability and display readability far beyond any GPS unit.<br /><br />As far as the laptop goes, a decent one will do anything my desktop can do, and it is portable. You really can't assign that cost to GPS use only. <br /><br />So, it looks to me like I would be getting full functioning GPS for under $200 that beats any dedicated non-handheld units in everything except weatherproofing.<br /><br />Unless I misread the specs, the GPS 18 includes antenna and software for that $170.<br /><br />What am I overlooking? I haven't figured out where/how to mount the laptop in my truck yet. I would like to get one with a 10" to 12" width so it might fit on the dash.

 

[cuzner]

Re: New GPS products from Garmin.

Just a note about garmin software,while they make a good gps (I'm using my 3'rd garmin),I've had nothing but problems with instaling and using bluecharts. I recently upgraded my computer,had to invest another 200$ buying another copy,and still had to take an afternoon off work so I could talk to support people to get a manual unlock #. My next unit will be anything that will operate with charts without having to use bluecharts.I would say there concerns about pirating have made a good product not worth the cost + hasle.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[JB]

Re: New GPS products from Garmin.

Hi, Jim.<br /><br />No experience with Bluecharts, but I have used Mapsource Roads and Rec (US and Canada) and Fishing Hotspots with little problem.<br /><br />I agree that getting unlocks for Bluecharts and Fishing Hotspots is a pain, particularly if you change 'puters or GPS units and don't want to have to buy new codes for the same software.<br /><br />If I understand Garmin's rules, you buy a code for one 'puter and one GPS unit and can't use it on any other. . . even if it is a replacement for the original 'puter or GPS.<br /><br /><br />My plans for the GPS 18 are 99% road travel and tourism. I will keep my GPSMAP 162 on the boat so I don't need to buy Fishing Hotspots unlocks all over again.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: New GPS products from Garmin.

hi JB, agree about the big display and if it's<br />for road travel, the software is easy/cheap.<br />it's the marine navigation software that's costly.<br />I was also concerned about compatibility when<br />mixing/matching various hardware and software and<br />wasn't spending $300 as an experiment.<br />as for mounting, I have seen several that are<br />made specifically to install a laptop in yur car.

 

[praetorian]

Re: New GPS products from Garmin.

I don't think the unlock code is for 1 computer and 1 GPS. I've got bluecharts and have the maps unlocked on my home PC and my laptop (a mac with Virtual PC). The unlock can be used on any computer, but will only download to the assigned GPS. Also with your license, you do have the option to assign a second GPS to that unlock code. You must do this second unlock on the phone (can't do it online). This is in case you upgrade your GPS, it gets lost or stolen, whatever. After the second unlock, you're out of luck.<br /><br />Although I actually bought it, I later found hacked copies online.