Argh! Every time I decide on a GPS, I find something that changes my mind. Help please!

It all started with a Garmin C320 on sale. It got me interested in
getting a car GPS, but after some investigating I decided a
re-manufactured 2610 was probably a better deal.

Then I saw the Quest and decided I also really wanted the ability to
walk around with a GPS, but the Quest 115MB limit is too small.

So I concluded a PDA solution was the best for me. Mobile,
upgradable, etc. For the cost, buying a dedicated unit like the M5
didn't seem like the best deal. I can get an Axim X50v (624MHz with
128MB, wireless & bluetooth) plus a GR-236 or BT338 Sirf III bluetooth
GPS receiver for $100 less than an M5.

And that was that, I decided on the Axim... but then I played with an
X30 today and the screen just isn't that bright when used outdoors.
So now I'm questioning that decision.

What I'm looking for:
- Works in car & has voice driving instructions
- Can also be carried around for in-city travels, so must have battery
- Must be able to load routes from a PC. I like being able to lay out
a specific journey at home.
- If it's PDA based, I'd like it to have a decently bright screen and
be a fast, up to date PDA

And overall, it should be a good 'value'. I'm not against spending
$500, but if I can get an X50v Axim and a sirf III bluetooth system
for ~$450, then the PDA should have everything that the X50 has and
the GPS receiver should be as capable as the BT338..

If it's 'just' a GPS system (no PDA), I'd rather not spend much over
$300


So what should I look at? What has/does all of those things and is
within my price point? I feel like everytime I discover the 'perfect
solution', I find out it's not as perfect as I'd hoped.

Any suggestions?
Thanks!

        I don't know about the PDA, but with my SP III, in order to see clear in
the bright sunny day, I have to turn the screen toward me a little =
(instead
of straight foward) and I have the clearest view. I think it should work
with PDA too.

TommyZ,
a specific journey at home.


a pda satifies all your need

be a fast, up to date PDA

it is bright; but if the background is bright, you will have problem
seeing it while driving

you need bright screen for pict, movies.....and u do rely on voice
command while driving anyway

with ppc , you will not be stuck with proprietory map program come
map update time in 07 -08

$300

for a dedicated unit that does not get you very far indeed

daniel

On 18 Jul 2005 09:55:01 -0700, dtong22@yahoo.com wrote:


Yeah, I'm more concerned about screen brightness for walking around.
In the car, the X30 was okay anyway because the roof shades the
interior. But outside on the sidewalk, at full brightness, the X30
was pretty dim.

Without having a bunch of PDAs, an M5, a 3600 etc all in my hands,
it's tough for me to know what a standard of brightness is. I mean,
if the brightness of an Axim is as good as it gets, then I should just
go ahead and buy that.

But I've been under the impression that dedicated units are brighter
because they're made for use in-car/outside.

Does anybody know if the M5 or the Mio or other dedicated PDAs are
much brighter than an Axim?



Well, the Quest can be had for about $350, the Garmin GPS-60C for
$314, the Navman 510 has been available for $299 etc

But, of course, none of these are exactly what I'm looking for. I
guess what I was trying to say is: If a dedicated unit is going to
cost me $400+, then I might as well buy a PDA

Thanks

TommyZ,
a specific journey at home.


a pda satifies all your need

be a fast, up to date PDA

it is bright; but if the background is bright, you will have problem
seeing it while driving

you need bright screen for pict, movies.....and u do rely on voice
command while driving anyway

with ppc , you will not be stuck with proprietory map program come
map update time in 07 -08

$300

for a dedicated unit that does not get you very far indeed

daniel