[di1in]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Stand alone GPS systems with Windows CE core and 4.3" screen cost around 100$, much cheaper than phones!

True, But what i meant is that when you take the cost of buying a

1. Video iPod
2. GPS
3. Digi-cam
4. PDA

as standalone devices versus that of buying a smartphone, the smartphone wins.

[tsk1979]

the 100$ device can function as a PDA and video player.
And the screen is much better to use than the tiny phone screen.

[di1in]

Originally Posted by prajwalkashyap

I have an N70 and only recently I have been using the Google maps using GPRS. Its not GPS, just maps.

N70 does not have AGPS in it. So how would be the most economical way to get positioning info? I am not too particular about turn-by-turn instructions, just want to know where I am (like a moving dot on google maps, for eg) while I am touring. I know my way around town in Bangalore, so city maps is also not what I am craving for either.

Any input in here?

Prajwal

You won't get a moving dot on an N70 unless you use an external blue-tooth enabled gps unit. What you can get using an N70 is to use the Network positioning in the phone which will show you the approximate area of your location in the map.
The N70 doesn't have A-GPS in it because A-GPS requires a GPS module(hardware part) to work. A-GPS stands for Assisted GPS, it uses your GPRS connection to connect to Nokia's servers to aid in the triangulation processing of the GPS data that is recieved by the GPS module in the device. This allows the phone's processors to take care of other things at hand - better multi-tasking.
GoogleMaps are pretty decent in their offerings of maps - both sattelite images, maps and hybrids; but Nokia Maps have a better user interface.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Stand alone GPS systems with Windows CE core and 4.3" screen cost around 100$, much cheaper than phones!

Thats cool, where can I get those in India?

[tsk1979]

You can't. you have to get one from USA

[NetfreakBombay]

Then it does not count

Best price I got was around 12k in Grey market. Was some Chinese thing with pirated Windows CE.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

Then it does not count

Best price I got was around 12k in Grey market. Was some Chinese thing with pirated Windows CE.

you can order one from dealextreme.com for around 120$

[ask77]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

you can order one from dealextreme.com for around 120$

you can get 3.5" windows CE loaded products from ebay for around $85 including postage to india, They have preloaded US maps so you have to install indian maps

[NetfreakBombay]

^^^

This is amazing spacially this from dealextreme

Yes, we ship worldwide at no additional charge.

[prajwalkashyap]

Originally Posted by di1in

You won't get a moving dot on an N70 unless you use an external blue-tooth enabled gps unit. What you can get using an N70 is to use the Network positioning in the phone which will show you the approximate area of your location in the map.
The N70 doesn't have A-GPS in it because A-GPS requires a GPS module(hardware part) to work. A-GPS stands for Assisted GPS, it uses your GPRS connection to connect to Nokia's servers to aid in the triangulation processing of the GPS data that is recieved by the GPS module in the device. This allows the phone's processors to take care of other things at hand - better multi-tasking.
GoogleMaps are pretty decent in their offerings of maps - both sattelite images, maps and hybrids; but Nokia Maps have a better user interface.

Thanks for the reply.

By external bluetooth devices, do mean like the following?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Amod-Bluetooth-GPS-Receiver-WAAS-EGNOS-ABG-108_W0QQitemZ330315108891QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGPS_De vices?hash=item330315108891&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_ trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A15|39%3A1|240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/AR-211-Bluetooth-GPS-Receiver_W0QQitemZ250389411211QQcmdZViewItemQQptZG PS_Devices?hash=item250389411211&_trksid=p3286.c0. m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A15|39%3A1|240%3A1318

I have a lot of questions on this since I am new with gps.

1. When I connect this gps receiver to my phone via bluetooth, during gps operation, which aspect of operation requires the internet apart from downloading maps?

2. Can I use this gps with my mobile phone (N70) without using Internet on my phone?

3. If internet is needed for maps, can they be pre-downloaded to my memory card to avoid re-downloading the maps each time I need to view?

4. Can the maps be downloaded on my laptop and moved to the memory card to avoid ANY internet activity?

These questions are just a start. I got a lot more Q's and I am sure I'll have even more once I start using it! So do bear with me.

Prajwal

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by prajwalkashyap

I have a lot of questions on this since I am new with gps.

1. When I connect this gps receiver to my phone via bluetooth, during gps operation, which aspect of operation requires the internet apart from downloading maps?

Once you have downloaded maps, no internet required

2. Can I use this gps with my mobile phone (N70) without using Internet on my phone?

Yes you can, download maps on your PC(mgmaps) and then copy them to mobile

3. If internet is needed for maps, can they be pre-downloaded to my memory card to avoid re-downloading the maps each time I need to view?

Yes, you can do so, look at mgmaps documentation

4. Can the maps be downloaded on my laptop and moved to the memory card to avoid ANY internet activity?

Yes

These questions are just a start. I got a lot more Q's and I am sure I'll have even more once I start using it! So do bear with me.

Prajwal

Sure, ask away.
I would like to add here that many applications which come with GPS phones insist on internet connection, however there are lot of freeware apps for nokia(most popular is the mgmaps) which allow you to use GPS without any internet usage.

[JVH]

I'm getting a TOM TOM GPS pre-loaded with US/Canada and European maps from a friend. Just wanted to check with folks here about the compatibility with Indian maps.

Anyone here using this device? Feedback appreciated.

[tsk1979]

Is it a windows CE device?
If yes you can unlock it and then install any application like mapmyindia miomap(costs 2500rs I think) or anything else.
If no windows CE, you are out of luck

[JVH]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Is it a windows CE device?
If yes you can unlock it and then install any application like mapmyindia miomap(costs 2500rs I think) or anything else.
If no windows CE, you are out of luck

Thanks tsk! Nope it's not, So I guess it's worthless for me.

I'm on a hunt to buy a used/new one so I guess I just hit the right thread. Many of you guys were discussing about deals on ebay and dealextreme. Now, my question to you is whether to buy such a device with Windows CE and then install the maps as tsk1979 suggested or buy a desi SATNAV? Which of the two should I go for? Budget not a constraint, I just need a reliable and user-friendly device.

Suggestions please!

[spadival]

Originally Posted by JVH

I'm getting a TOM TOM GPS pre-loaded with US/Canada and European maps from a friend. Just wanted to check with folks here about the compatibility with Indian maps.

Anyone here using this device? Feedback appreciated.

No Indian maps on TomTom. Otherwise, there are "ways" to unlock and load other maps onto TomTom.

Dealextreme has a 5 inch generic GPS. DealExtreme: $118.49 5.0" LCD 372MHz CPU Windows CE 5.0 Bluetooth + GPS Navigator w/FM Transmitter + 2GB Maps SD