Database Develop

How good is GPS on XDA IIi compared with external units?

I've just sold my last car which had built-in PCM sat nav. I'd like to get sat nav for my new car but can't decide whether to get a GPS cradle for my XDA, a TomTom 3/5/700 or change the car's head unit for a power-screen DVD sat nav system.
My XDA IIi is relatively stable but it does crash periodically, can be slow to run stuff, sometimes freezes when I'm answering calls and basically seems to struggle with any sort of complex processing. I'm a bit woried that it may therefore be a bit crap at running 3d maps. Has anyone any experience of using these versus built in car systems or the TomTom units?
I've never updated the firmware etc so would also be interested if this improves reliability/speed etc.
Between the TomTom and SatNav head unit is the only real difference the screen size and convenience of not having an external box?
Thanks in advance for any help, Jonathan

I've just got Tom tom for my XdaIIi, with a bluetooth GPS reciver bought on E-bay. I've found it slightly unstable, however my friend with a IIs said it sorted itself out after a short time of using it. I recomend it, however I donot have experience of the other systems, so I would not be able to say which one is better. I personally like having everything in one place.

XDA2i and handheld Satnav.

Hi
I want to use my XDA2i as a handheld Satnav device. The obvious GPS receiver to buy would be the GlobalSat SD-502 SDIO GPS Receiver. However there seems to be issues around using them together.
What are the issues and can they be overcome?
Another option is to use a CF GPS Receiver connected by a backpack (which I have) The only trouble being that the CF slot comes out of the bottom of the device.
What is it that the SD-502 doen't like about the XDA2i. I assume it is something to do with the phone??? Is it possible to disable the phone ( I don't use the phaone as I have an XDA mini S
Help....
Simon

Why not BT?
I wouldn't bother with a plug-in GPS unit. They increase the battery drain and the XDA2i doesn't have a great battery life to start with.
I use a BT GPS unit (TomTom GPSII) and it works very well. I also use it with other devices (an AXIM X51v and Nokia 6620).
BT GPS units are small, battery life is very good - I get 8 hours out of the TTGPSII.
Regarding the phone- that 's another issue. You need to disable 'flight mode' to enable BT. This turns the 'phone on - but if you don't have a SIM in nothing much happens. To disable the 'phone - turn on 'flight mode'
Phil

I've used Tom Tom 5 v5.21 and a BT338 Bluetooth GPS unit just fine

HANDHELD Satnav
Thanks for both your replies
However both the products you talk about are really designed to sit on the dash of your car. The reason I want to use the SD-502 is that it makes the PDA into a standalone Satnav device. I want to use this out of the car, whilst walking, biking etc.
It seems mad that I could use the SD-502 with a PDA running the same OS as the XDA2i but can't because of the phone part of the XDA2i. (I don't use the XDA2i as a phone as I have a XDA mini S) I can't believe that simply disabling the phone (flight mode) would work. But would it be possible to reload the OS without the phone part.
Anyone have experience of this??
Simon

HANDHELD Satnav
Thanks for both your replies
However both the products you talk about are really designed to sit on the dash of your car. The reason I want to use the SD-502 is that it makes the PDA into a standalone Satnav device. I want to use this out of the car, whilst walking, biking etc.
It seems mad that I could use the SD-502 with a PDA running the same OS as the XDA2i but can't because of the phone part of the XDA2i. (I don't use the XDA2i as a phone as I have a XDA mini S) I can't believe that simply disabling the phone (flight mode) would work. But would it be possible to reload the OS without the phone part.
Anyone have experience of this??
Simon

Hi,
As far as I am aware it is not possible to get rid of the phone stuff off the phone, but I may be mistaken, however what several of my colleagues do who want to use a hand held sat nav like you describe is get a bluetooth GPS receiver with the SirfIII chipset and either wear it around their neck using the cord they get with their work ID or just stick it in their pocket and forget about it.
One of them is off this weekend on a camping and hiking trip and plans to use his XDA IIi and Holux BT231 to find his way around. I can't remember the exact Sat Nav software he is using though.
G

Thanks gquipster
"get a bluetooth GPS receiver with the SirfIII chipset and either wear it around their neck using the cord they get with their work ID or just stick it in their pocket and forget about it"
I thought that the receiver needed direct sight of satelites to work, hang round the neck or stuck in a pocket is idea. Phil talks about getting 8 hours battery life out of his TTGPS11.
Thanks for your help

Re: HANDHELD Satnav
SimonJB said:
Thanks for both your replies
However both the products you talk about are really designed to sit on the dash of your car. The reason I want to use the SD-502 is that it makes the PDA into a standalone Satnav device. I want to use this out of the car, whilst walking, biking etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also use OziExplorer and Pocket Anquet on my XDA2i. Still use the BT GPS for the same reasons as stated previously - improved battery life of the PDA (it needs all the help it can). I wear my TomTomII BT GPS around my neck on a lanyard - it works very well. Watch it on a bike - if you fall you could ruin your XDA :wink:
Phil

I have a QStarz 32-channel Bluetooth receiver, it's pretty small and easily fits in my pocket. Its model number is BT-Q880, and it lasts for ages on a single charge.
There's a registry hack you can perform to stop the error dialog coming up if you attempt to turn the Bluetooth on with the phone in Flight Mode, I tried it out and it seemed to work out, it let me run the Bluetooth without the phone part of the PDA turned on, so that could be useful if you're after usage as just a SatNav-enabled PDA.
Have you considered that running the phone in regular mode would allow you to make emergency 999 calls, though? That could be useful if you're out on your own hiking or geocaching or whatever, if you got into a pickle whilst out you wouldn't have to mess about with the registry to turn the phone back on, you could just hit the green key and dial the number, job done.

have you tried this?
http://www.johnsreviews.com/howtos/o2xda2itomtomworkaround.html[/url]

have you tried this?
http://www.johnsreviews.com/howtos/o2xda2itomtomworkaround.html[/url]

This has been previously discussed.

Getting a New Car: Which Is MOST Kaiser-Friendly?

Ok, I think this is a new subject:
I am getting ready to buy/lease a new car in the next couple of months. Would like everyone's opinion/advice.
1. Which cars have bluetooth built-in that work with Kaiser over the speakers for both music and for phone?
2. Which cars work with bluetooth for voice-dialing (i.e. have some sort of microphone built-in)?
3. Which cars have the best PLACEMENT options for the Kaiser for GPS navigation (i.e. best line of sight for where the Kaiser would sit to be viewable)?
ONLY REQUIREMENTS: Cars have to be less that $50,000 (ouch!) and options to enable #1, 2, or 3 CANNOT require physically changing anything in the car (it may be leased, instead of bought).
Your wisdom is GREATLY anticipated.

You are planning on making a $50,000 purchasing decision based on a piece of equipment worth about $500?
Not that you don't have some valid questions... but realize how ludicrous the concept is.
There are plenty of cars out there (well below $50K) that have integrated bluetooth and GPS (and other voice activated things like music) so that using your phone (which is a poor option in comparison to dedicated solutions) should not even be necessary.
Buy a car based on the cars functionality...not whether you can plug in an easily expendable device!

freddiemac1 said:
Ok, I think this is a new subject:
I am getting ready to buy/lease a new car in the next couple of months. Would like everyone's opinion/advice.
1. Which cars have bluetooth built-in that work with Kaiser over the speakers for both music and for phone?
2. Which cars work with bluetooth for voice-dialing (i.e. have some sort of microphone built-in)?
3. Which cars have the best PLACEMENT options for the Kaiser for GPS navigation (i.e. best line of sight for where the Kaiser would sit to be viewable)?
ONLY REQUIREMENTS: Cars have to be less that $50,000 (ouch!) and options to enable #1, 2, or 3 CANNOT require physically changing anything in the car (it may be leased, instead of bought).
Your wisdom is GREATLY anticipated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lincoln MKS? Great car & I *believe* the Sync/ Navigation does what you ask.

bengalih said:
You are planning on making a $50,000 purchasing decision based on a piece of equipment worth about $500?
Not that you don't have some valid questions... but realize how ludicrous the concept is.
There are plenty of cars out there (well below $50K) that have integrated bluetooth and GPS (and other voice activated things like music) so that using your phone (which is a poor option in comparison to dedicated solutions) should not even be necessary.
Buy a car based on the cars functionality...not whether you can plug in an easily expendable device!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^ What he said +1

freddiemac1 said:
Ok, I think this is a new subject:
I am getting ready to buy/lease a new car in the next couple of months. Would like everyone's opinion/advice.
1. Which cars have bluetooth built-in that work with Kaiser over the speakers for both music and for phone?
2. Which cars work with bluetooth for voice-dialing (i.e. have some sort of microphone built-in)?
3. Which cars have the best PLACEMENT options for the Kaiser for GPS navigation (i.e. best line of sight for where the Kaiser would sit to be viewable)?
ONLY REQUIREMENTS: Cars have to be less that $50,000 (ouch!) and options to enable #1, 2, or 3 CANNOT require physically changing anything in the car (it may be leased, instead of bought).
Your wisdom is GREATLY anticipated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... just wanted to point out a few things to consider:
1. The life-cycle of your vehicle should extend well beyond your phone.
2. For a $50,000 vehicle, it will hopefully have a GPS navigation built-in.
In any case, if the BT compatibility is that high on your priority list... test it out when you test drive the vehicle. I don't think the dealership will mind, and if they do - pull off the side of the road during your test drive and configure. The Internet is a wealth of information for manuals and procedures to configure without the help of the dealership.
Good luck with your choice, and let us know your selection.

Thanks, guys....for the reality check
I am NOT basing my decision on this question...but it is a factor as to which cars are worth looking at that HAVE these features. I chose $50K as an arbitrary number because I can't even think of anything more expensive that will do these things.
My real question is which cars out there play well and integrate well with our device (or future devices)?
Many factors (for me) go into a purchase/lease decision:
-safety ratings
-fuel economy
-comfort
-cost
-style
and one of them has to do with bluetooth integration...
For example, I know that the Toyota Prius has bluetooth integration. How is it? Are there others that do? What are your experiences with it?
So...while I really and honestly appreciate the "get real" advice - which is sound - if someone(s) could comment on the specific questions, it would help as I begin my search.

I have a ford edge with nav and sync. Phone syncs quickly and works well. I can push music over the bluetooth through it, it downloads my phonebook so I can hands free voice dial. The only thing the phone doesn't support in sync is reading text messages over it. Some issues I have run into since I upgraded to 6.1 though is after I pair it, then get out, it likes to set my ringer to silent, but not all the time. I Don't use phone for nav, I have found the screen too small to see clearly when driving and it eats the battery. I hope this helps.

Anyone using Jabra BT3030 with X1

Thinking of buying a Jabra BT3030 for use on my X1, wanted to know about how is the audio quality and all, and do all the controls work with X1?
Thanks in Advance.

BT3030 works well.
I use one for my X1. Generally Jabra BT3030 works well with X1's A2DP(for stereo audio stream) & AVRCP(for controls).
Two things must be considered though:
1. The X1 rom you're using. If you just have that original WM 6.1 stock rom, then no worries, otherwise, some custom roms have some tiny little issues on bluetooth profile utilization(i.e. random streaming hiccups while on actual use), may it be due to some tweaks embedded on their roms or something like that. You may overlook this factor while figuring out number...
2. The audio(and/or video) application that you are using. These softwares might:
-fully support pertinent bluetooth profiles independently
-rely on other application's plugins for bluetooth support, Windows Media's plugins in particular
-do not support bluetooth profiles at all.
Just a keen reminder: always take note of the features/specifications that your music application has, that's plainly important since these specs are the bearings on choosing the music player that suits you.
Currently using A_C's S2P 0.80 beta on gtrab's barebone 6.5 rom, incase you might ask.

Even i am using the same rom and Conduit's Pocket Player on it. So it should work fine then.
Thanks once again.

i just bought this yesterday and audio quality is superb!!
use pocket player and switch the equalizer to "rock"

Here's the things I've noticed with this headset since:
-My chain lanyard is already tarnished due to daily use.
-Its mic is beyond normal sensitivity to compensate when wearing it as a pendant. A disadvantage when using it on calls while on a busy street. The person on the other end hears my environment more than my own voice.
-Serves perfect as my wireless in-car speakerphone, plus goodbye to my FM Transmitter.
-Hate this continuously blinking battery indicator. Trying to ignore it most of the time.

Question Galaxy 5 pro golf edition - phone needed for gps?

New to the watch scene. I purchased the galaxy 5 pro golf edition watch. Quick question. Do I need my phone within bluetooth distance for the watch to give me gps distances? ie. is the watch actually giving me distances from my phone and not directly from the watch?

Yes the watch has a built in GPS and as long as you have a sport active which tracks your GPS position, it will give you the total distance. The GPS data processing algorithm on the watch is not that good tho. But since you would be playing golf in an open space, it would be probably quite good.