GPS Suggestions

[Mike Mezeul II]

Alright, so I'm planning on purchasing a GPS and mapping software over the next few weeks and I was wondering what suggestions you guys may have? I don't know much about GPS but I do know that I want to run it off of my laptop. Any suggestions from you guys would be awesome!

 

[John Diel]

A search of the site would reveal that Delorma Street Atlas and/or Topo (http://www.delorme.com) and Microsoft Streets (http://www.microsoft.com/streets/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=001) are the two big packages that most folks use.

Lets add to this the possibility of using Gibson Ridge Software's GRLevel3 (http://www.grlevelx.com) radar viewing program with a USB GPS puck (receiver) and some virtual port software and you have a combo that's hard to beat right now. Of course GRLevel3 would require internet access to pick up the radar side, but even with out the updates, you could use the GIS capabilities to have some mapping.

There are others out there, but the top two are the most commonly used and run about the same price range.

 

[Tom Stefanac]

If you get a usb puck gps, just remember you can only use it with your computer. If you want something which has function outside of just computer use get a hand held GPS and when you buy the PC cable make sure you get one which has both data and GPS charging/power support.

Most GPS units use a flat mesh antenna which is perfectly fine and accurate outdoors but on the floor of a van or something they may not work at all, most people have to have their GPS unit on the dash in order for it to work well, this is also true of pucks.

If you want accuracy in bad receive conditions (like inside you house) get a GPS unit which has a little stubby vertical antenna.

You may also want to download a serial port emulator such as Xport http://curioustech.home.insightbb.com/xport.html which will reproduce your GPS signal over any number of virtual ports. This is how I display my GPS position with the Grlevelx, and on two separate MS Streets windows. One MS window will be zoomed in so I know exactly when a turn is coming up, the other is zoomed out so I can pick the next road I want to turn onto. I just display them side by side and view the radar in full screen mode occasionally before minimizing it so I can get back to navigating.

 

[Ben Engle]

A search of the site would reveal that Delorma Street Atlas and/or Topo (http://www.delorme.com) and Microsoft Streets (http://www.microsoft.com/streets/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=001) are the two big packages that most folks use.

Lets add to this the possibility of using Gibson Ridge Software's GRLevel3 (http://www.grlevelx.com) radar viewing program with a USB GPS puck (receiver) and some virtual port software and you have a combo that's hard to beat right now. Of course GRLevel3 would require internet access to pick up the radar side, but even with out the updates, you could use the GIS capabilities to have some mapping.

There are others out there, but the top two are the most commonly used and run about the same price range.

How do I go about overlaying my GPS position from my Streets and Trips onto my GRlevel3?

 

[John Diel]

Ben,

I don't believe you can "mix" Streets and Maps into GRLevel3. Two different programs. Streets and Maps uses the GPS to plot your position within it's software and GRLevel3 does the same thing within it's software. You can't mix the two.

You CAN, however, with a Serial Port Emulation software package, use the same GPS to do both things. I use GPS Gate for the port replication. There are others out there (see posts above). If you haven't already doen so, go to the Owners forum on GRLevelX.com and see the instructions on loading Shape Files. You can do this county by county or there are a couple of people that have been gracious enough to compile some larger areas into shape files (certainly less time consuming than individual counties, but uses more memory). Anyway, all your questions on that can be answered there.

 

[Mike Mezeul II]

So I've heard quite a few negative things about the Delorma Street Atlas and was just wondering for those of you who use it out on the chase, what are your personal opinions about it? How about those who use Microsoft Streets? I heard that satellite acquiring is much faster using Microsoft.

 

[Tom Stefanac]

I heard that satellite acquiring is much faster using Microsoft.

To my knowledge satellite acquisition is a physical property of the GPS, DeLorme and MS Streets only ingest NEMA data, they don't actually control the GPS in the anyway.

I have not noticed any difference in speed between either, I prefer MS streets just for the colors and map layout but DeLorme has its bonuses too.

 

[Derek Weston]

So I've heard quite a few negative things about the Delorma Street Atlas and was just wondering for those of you who use it out on the chase, what are your personal opinions about it? How about those who use Microsoft Streets? I heard that satellite acquiring is much faster using Microsoft.

In reading reviews on amazon both products seem pretty mixed. Some people really rip on delorme. I recently picked up Microsoft's package at best buy on a whim but haven't decided whether or not to keep it. Some people complain of it too.

What about Garmin's gps software as compared to the other two?

I guess it shouldn't matter much as long as I get a good GPS signal which I'll be able to port into other programs. (as well as the street level mapping, obviously)

Very interested in feedback on this type of software. (what are you using, how is it working for you?)

 

[Mike McDonald]

I have DeLorme Street Atlas (old) and TopoUSA (current), Microsoft S&T and Garmin Mapsource.

The easy one first. Mapsource isn't a road map program. It's intended to let you add contours, features and some roads to a Garmin GPS. Not sure how they decide what to include, but the road network is nearly useless.

I used to like the DeLorme products but I find its current user interface to be clunky, the roads don't seem to be as current as S&T, and I have nothing good to say about their tech support. Too bad, because at one time DeLorme had excellent products. The only reason I even have a current version of TopoUSA is because a project I'm on requires it.

I've come to like Streets & Trips for a road map program. Wow, it was difficult to type that I like something from M$.

Just be advised that the road network isn't up-to-date in any mapping program. They show non-existent roads and closed roads and don't have all the existing roads.

I have a number of other mapping programs (I'm in the business) but the most popular of the others, such as National Geographic Topo! and Maptech Terrain Navigator aren't really intended to be road map programs.

Regarding the GPS update question, the speed of acquisition is indeed a function of the GPS, but there could be a lag in the time the software processes the input and displays a position. However, I've never seen any significant difference in the display rate between the programs.

Connectivity between the laptop and GPS receiver can be by cable or Bluetooth depending on the GPS. Some GPSRs can connect to an external antenna, which can be helpful. It seems to me there are several threads here on GPS connectivity. I have a GPS that connects to my PDA via Bluetooth, but the GPS I use with my laptop requires a cable.

Mike

 

[Stuart Robinson]

I much prefer cabled GPS's ether via USB or direct serial - I just dont like the blue tooth type GPS's.

One good tip is to get hold of a GPS splitter http://franson.com/gpsgate/

This way one GPS can run MANY gps enabled applications on your laptop - mapping / GRL3 as well as the baron.

Deleorme used to supply free a two application splitter - but I cant find it now on there site...

 

[Dan Cook]

I've got Street Atlas 07; IMO way better than Streets and Trips.

 

[Tom Stefanac]

No to rip on GpsGate (sorry Stu ), but for the price and from my experience Xport is a superior program, plus it is FREE.

I have had a number of system failures with GpsGate but have never run into trouble with Xport. GpsGate was initially better than Xport since a go between program called Nema Compass was needed and this made the software hard to setup while GpsGate was plug and go. The latest version Xport does not require a jumper program and functions exactly like GpsGate, but it is smaller in size and uses less resources.

So as a free alternative, I would highly recommend Xport

 

[Aaron Kennedy]

On the same topic... I have an older version of MS street and trips. All I need is a USB hockey puck style GPS. Any suggestions? Cheapest place to purchase?

 

[Bob Hartig]

I've got Street Atlas 07; IMO way better than Streets and Trips.

Whew, glad to hear something good about DeLorme, because I just bought the Street Atlas 2007 with the thought that I'd be able to use DeLorme's Earthmate LT-20 GPS with both it and GRL3. So far so good, and I'm liking the SA 2007. I'd hate to think I picked up a dog, but I guess that must be the earlier version.

Regarding Stuart's comment about DeLorme's serial emulator, that is available, just not easy to find. I downloaded it a few days ago and so far, now that I've figured it out, it seems to work fine. I've heard some people have problems with it, so I'm holding my breath and waiting till the next chase to put it to the test out in the field rather than my dining room table. Here is the link to DeLorme's serial emulator download: http://www.delorme.com/support/SupportTemplate.aspx?id=319.

 

[Aaron Kennedy]

Instead of getting a hockey puck receiver, I decided I should just kill 2 birds with 1 stone by going with a handheld receiver such as the Garmin GPSMAP60 .
This way, I can use the GPS for all of my activities such as hiking, kayaking, etc. Before I go ahead and make the plunge, however, I wanted to make sure that you can use these as tethers for a laptop. I know it includes a serial/USB link, but all of the info I found online only mentions the use of this connection for waypoint/map transfer.