Hi everyone !
I thought I would tap into the fountain of all knowledge just one more time.
I am planning on investing in some sort of device that tells mewhere i'm going and where all the speed cameras are along the way. I know there are loads of Road Angel type devices on the market but I was just wondering whether or not to consider a PDA.
The problem I have is I haven't got a clue what to look for, I'm not even sure what features are on a PDA or best makes and models etc.
I don't have a personal mobile at the moment, only a work phone so if I could buy something which gets me from A to B and for a little extra money, other features which could be useful then that might be a wiser purchase.
Please help !!!
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Techie Help needed! - GPS or PDA with software ?
Sex God
I've got a tomtom and it is wonderful............... (Got it from Amazon)
Although a certain person last year, did spend most of his time arguing with it, on the way to munch, over the route
:lol:
Although a certain person last year, did spend most of his time arguing with it, on the way to munch, over the route
:lol: Quote by Sarah
I've got a tomtom and it is wonderful............... (Got it from Amazon)
Although a certain person last year, did spend most of his time arguing with it, on the way to munch, over the route
I used a tomtom (someone elses) to go to a party....except for the price tag (I can barely afford the box it comes in let alone the thing itself....
) I would get one.....Until recently, Ive set off for munches etc in the dark and having hand written instructions whilst driving by myself isnt a very safe (or legal) option.......And you have the choice of 2 voices.....no prizes which one I chose.....:lol: 
:giggle:Quote by Sarah
I've got a tomtom and it is wonderful............... (Got it from Amazon)
Although a certain person last year, did spend most of his time arguing with it, on the way to munch, over the route
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: Bless his little cotton socks!I've got a PDA with TomTom loaded on it - so I can use the PDA as a PDA and just plug it into the car cradle thingy when needed. Wouldn't be without it now!
If you have a phone that suits and there are now so many out there you can have all the Navigation speed trap detectors and the like all on one item....... including checking your mail, msn chat and so much more........ Word has it and its a closely guarded secret I'm told you can even ring your mum on it!!! How cool is that lol.......
Mike x
Mike x
If you looking for a PDA they are not bad but then you normally end up with 3 boxes...
A pda
A sat nav box
Your phone
These normally all need to be made to talk to each other via bluetooth.
We have a PDA with a built in sat nav unit, so no extra box. It's ok, but much better with its external ariel attached. (Which came with it). It is a Mio, but they a bit long in the tooth now. Also no bluetooh, so it does not link with the phone.
You can get smart phones easy enough that combine PDA and phone, but they tend to be bulky. Personally I am a fan of a device to do a job. We have had few issues with the PDA software causing issues with the tom tom software. At the time the Mio was £200, way below the tom toms of the day. These days self contained sat navs are far cheaper...
I would suggest you consider a TomTom one, but it one of those things
Everyone will want different mixes of features.
A pda
A sat nav box
Your phone
These normally all need to be made to talk to each other via bluetooth.
We have a PDA with a built in sat nav unit, so no extra box. It's ok, but much better with its external ariel attached. (Which came with it). It is a Mio, but they a bit long in the tooth now. Also no bluetooh, so it does not link with the phone.
You can get smart phones easy enough that combine PDA and phone, but they tend to be bulky. Personally I am a fan of a device to do a job. We have had few issues with the PDA software causing issues with the tom tom software. At the time the Mio was £200, way below the tom toms of the day. These days self contained sat navs are far cheaper...
I would suggest you consider a TomTom one, but it one of those things
Everyone will want different mixes of features. Quote by mdr2000
A smart phone is much smaller than a PDA!! Does it all with style and ease!
Really depends on the phone, I have a great smartphone that is the size of a normal small phone. However it would make a terrible sat nav, no touch screen, and the display would be too small
The larger phones I have seen make decent sat nav, but they are larger. However been a few months so there could be a good comprimise phone out there I don't know about :)
Sex God
/hyjack
Alright T&H, good to see you mate
/hyjack
Alright T&H, good to see you mate
/hyjack
Orgasminator
I needed one quickly due to a trip to France and the person supposed to be bringing Sat-Nav welched at the last minute.
I got an Acer N35 PDA which comes with Destinator. Destinator is a pile of Poo so I got hold of Tom Tom and loaded it on and wow it is very good. Even got us through the middle of Paris no bother. The PDA part is good and because it is running Windows Mobile 3.0 syncs seamlessly with Outlook.
What I would recommend is get something like the Palm Treo with Sat Nav then you have a PDA, Mobile and MP3 player all in one. It's a bit pricey though.
I got an Acer N35 PDA which comes with Destinator. Destinator is a pile of Poo so I got hold of Tom Tom and loaded it on and wow it is very good. Even got us through the middle of Paris no bother. The PDA part is good and because it is running Windows Mobile 3.0 syncs seamlessly with Outlook.
What I would recommend is get something like the Palm Treo with Sat Nav then you have a PDA, Mobile and MP3 player all in one. It's a bit pricey though.
Well from a personal prospective, I would recommend the tom-tom gps sat nav, as tom-tom is the market leaders at the moment. I found the user experience very pleasurable . The new slim line model they’ve brought out is around about the £240 mark.
PDA's are ok but you have to factor in the cost of the PDA and then the sat nav software on top of it. Also with the PDA I had (a Compaq one) it would reset its self after 5 days if it was left powered down and I'd have to reinstall the software which became a pain in the arse.
. The new slim line model they’ve brought out is around about the £240 mark.PDA's are ok but you have to factor in the cost of the PDA and then the sat nav software on top of it. Also with the PDA I had (a Compaq one) it would reset its self after 5 days if it was left powered down and I'd have to reinstall the software which became a pain in the arse.
Mod
I usde a Tom Tom for my satnav and think it is really good. I also have all the speed camera locations loaded onto it. It doesn't have an audible alarm to say you are approaching them, but you can see them onscreen before you approach them.
One of the problems I have heard of when combining a satnav with a PDA is that it slows down it's response time. How much or how significantly, I don't know, but something to take into consideration.
If anyone is considering a 'road angel' which does give audible warnings of speed cameras, including mobile ones, be aware that they are illegal in France, even just being in possession of one, never mind if it is active or not. If the Gendarmes catch you with it, they will confiscate it and fine you up to 1,000 Euros.
Hope that helps.
Mal
One of the problems I have heard of when combining a satnav with a PDA is that it slows down it's response time. How much or how significantly, I don't know, but something to take into consideration.
If anyone is considering a 'road angel' which does give audible warnings of speed cameras, including mobile ones, be aware that they are illegal in France, even just being in possession of one, never mind if it is active or not. If the Gendarmes catch you with it, they will confiscate it and fine you up to 1,000 Euros.
Hope that helps.
Mal
Quote by Mal
One of the problems I have heard of when combining a satnav with a PDA is that it slows down it's response time. How much or how significantly, I don't know, but something to take into consideration.
Hi mal
With regards to the response time with a combined PDA. Not that ive compared my to any other mind
I find the response is good. I would assume that if you had the other programmes running in the background it would slow down due to memory usage! Without looking in the manual, I think it does say to close down all programs other than the satnav program when using it.
It would be difficult to use word or exel when driving
My PDA does emit an audible warning of fixed safety 
cameras - currently I have a siren noise like a police cars, that wakes me up somewhat.
Things which warn you of mobile devices are illegal EC wide.
Tom-Tom doesn't slow down my PDA and it doesn't reset itself after 5 days power down. It synchronises with my PC via both bluetooth or cradle and it connects to my phone by bluetooth. What it doesn't do, which would make it indispensable, is make the bloody tea in the morning!!
cameras - currently I have a siren noise like a police cars, that wakes me up somewhat.Things which warn you of mobile devices are illegal EC wide.
Tom-Tom doesn't slow down my PDA and it doesn't reset itself after 5 days power down. It synchronises with my PC via both bluetooth or cradle and it connects to my phone by bluetooth. What it doesn't do, which would make it indispensable, is make the bloody tea in the morning!!
Quote by Jags
My PDA does emit an audible warning of fixed safety
Things which warn you of mobile devices are illegal EC wide.
Tom-Tom doesn't slow down my PDA and it doesn't reset itself after 5 days power down. It synchronises with my PC via both bluetooth or cradle and it connects to my phone by bluetooth. What it doesn't do, which would make it indispensable, is make the bloody tea in the morning!!
mmmmm Can I do that for you :lol:
phredd :love:
Quote by Medic_1
My PDA does emit an audible warning of fixed safety
Things which warn you of mobile devices are illegal EC wide.
Tom-Tom doesn't slow down my PDA and it doesn't reset itself after 5 days power down. It synchronises with my PC via both bluetooth or cradle and it connects to my phone by bluetooth. What it doesn't do, which would make it indispensable, is make the bloody tea in the morning!!
mmmmm Can I do that for you :lol:
phredd :love:
Course you can Fred.. how about the Sunday after the summer equinox minus 3 weeks but adding in delay for time zone difference of 5 states and 3 countries????
:wink: Quote by Jags
My PDA does emit an audible warning of fixed safety
Things which warn you of mobile devices are illegal EC wide.
Tom-Tom doesn't slow down my PDA and it doesn't reset itself after 5 days power down. It synchronises with my PC via both bluetooth or cradle and it connects to my phone by bluetooth. What it doesn't do, which would make it indispensable, is make the bloody tea in the morning!!
mmmmm Can I do that for you :lol:
phredd :love:
Course you can Fred.. how about the Sunday after the summer equinox minus 3 weeks but adding in delay for time zone difference of 5 states and 3 countries????
:wink:FFS
: Stonehenge not good enough anymore ??
Phredd :love:
I love this site, there is nothing you can't get advice on !
I think I'm going to get the PDA + Tom Tom software, there is about £60 difference between this and the stand alone Sat Nav devices and this will mean I can ditch the filofax!
The one BazzaNW has seems the best buy so far, thanks for all the help everyone!
I think I'm going to get the PDA + Tom Tom software, there is about £60 difference between this and the stand alone Sat Nav devices and this will mean I can ditch the filofax!
The one BazzaNW has seems the best buy so far, thanks for all the help everyone!
Just took my own advice and stumped up for a tom tom go 500 which came with 6 months traffic subscription in the box It is twice as fast as the PDA version at locking onto a route, the traffic feature is really cool, and it can even hold a sat lock in my house which the PDA couldn't :)
Not to mention the wonderful windscreen mount thing that seems really stable. Ok I cant watcm movies on it, but for navigation it great. Heck I think the traffic on way to work will be worth the money... time I spent stuck on M25.
It is twice as fast as the PDA version at locking onto a route, the traffic feature is really cool, and it can even hold a sat lock in my house which the PDA couldn't :)Not to mention the wonderful windscreen mount thing that seems really stable. Ok I cant watcm movies on it, but for navigation it great. Heck I think the traffic on way to work will be worth the money... time I spent stuck on M25.
In case anybody doesn't know you can download speed camera info from , no charge.
I download it regularly and put it in my PDA smart st satnav. Think it also works with Tom Tom etc.
Shows location of cameras on map, and mine gives audible warning when approaching them.
Has to be one of the best buys I have ever done.
I download it regularly and put it in my PDA smart st satnav. Think it also works with Tom Tom etc.
Shows location of cameras on map, and mine gives audible warning when approaching them.
Has to be one of the best buys I have ever done.
just passing on a bit of advice I've been given in my latest quest;
A PDA or GPS bracket fixed to the windsceen is a green light to car thieves, as they assume you have shoved your hard earned purchase in the glove compartment.
Bare this in mind when fixing your bracket, I thought about putting a small sign in the window saying " no valuables left in car" or if you have any other ideas I would be happy to hear them.
A PDA or GPS bracket fixed to the windsceen is a green light to car thieves, as they assume you have shoved your hard earned purchase in the glove compartment.
Bare this in mind when fixing your bracket, I thought about putting a small sign in the window saying " no valuables left in car" or if you have any other ideas I would be happy to hear them.
Orgasminator
Quote by Mal
...It doesn't have an audible alarm to say you are approaching them, but you can see them onscreen before you approach them.
Oh yes it does...
RTFM :twisted:
I have an ipaq PDA with ALK Co Pilot, it's excellent. If you want SAT NAV make sure it's has full postcode lookup.
If you want to get rid of your phone, look at an XDA11i from O2. It does Voice Calls as well as the normal PDA stuff. Also hs blue tooth so you can add SAT NAV and a blue tooth GPS Reciever when you need it. The XDA will also allow you to receive and send email and well as browse the web. There are other smaller version too if the 11i is too big. Some also have small keyboards too so easy to type on.
If I were looking at the moment, I'd go down to the O2 shop and take a look at what they can offer.
Good luck.
FREE
If you want to get rid of your phone, look at an XDA11i from O2. It does Voice Calls as well as the normal PDA stuff. Also hs blue tooth so you can add SAT NAV and a blue tooth GPS Reciever when you need it. The XDA will also allow you to receive and send email and well as browse the web. There are other smaller version too if the 11i is too big. Some also have small keyboards too so easy to type on.
If I were looking at the moment, I'd go down to the O2 shop and take a look at what they can offer.
Good luck.
FREE
