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nklr pda/gps questions
Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 11:47 pm
by Jim
Hi all,
I've been in sleep mode (even lower than Lurk) for the winter, but
spring is coming in a few months, so I'm beginning to think about
trips again. My current GPS is getting long in the tooth: a Garmin
GPS-V that I've had for a few years now. Its been on my KLR in the
summer, snowmobile in the winter, and its always in my other vehicles
when on any kind of trip. I like it, but its very limited compared to
the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger
screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I just
began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability.
My thoughts are that I could store MP3s on it, use a bluetooth GPS
receiver, and with the right unit, have WiFi to send e-mails and
photos home while on a trip. It would also be handy to be able to
write up details of the day's riding at the end of the day, or save
any info that strikes me while I'm on the road (place names,
services/stores/businesses I see while in new areas, etc.) I already
have a cell phone that I don't want to replace, so I don't need a
Blackberry or any other that doubles as a cell phone. It would be nice
to combine items so that I use less power (I already have driving
lights, Sirius, will be getting a bike-friendly radar detector, and
charge my cell phone). It would also save space over taking my
notebook computer with me on trips...not to mention saving the
notebook from the danger of being damaged.
I'm not looking for anything crazy new, and I would be shopping ebay
to save money. I have found several brand-name PDAs that can be had
for well under $100 such as the Palm M515, Palm TX, and non-current
Ipaq's. Various bluetooth GPS receivers can be had for around $25 or
less. Mapping software is also quite reasonable. Most I have seen
don't have the Wifi built in for this price range, but cards are very
cheap to add it.
Now for the problem. I have never used a PDA, and don't know much
about them other than what I've read in ebay descriptions and on the
Palm web site. I know I'm not going to get a top notch unit in my
price range, but I also don't want to end up kicking myself for
getting something I won't be happy with. What are features I should be
looking at? I want something flexible that I can change and upgrade as
I choose. And I don't want a generic/unknown unit that has good
features, but I can't get Ram cradles, software, or accessores for.
I know I'm asking a lot...hopefully someone will take a little pity on
me and help me out a bit. Thanks in advance.
Jim
Milan, NH
4-5 feet of snow in my back yard, and I'm thinking about riding already!
nklr pda/gps questions
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:42 am
by Ross Lindberg
Hello Jim. Sounds like a good idea on the surface. I have had Palm
units for several years now and have had very good luck with them. I
travel almost daily and my Palm units take a ton of beating and abuse
but seems to hold up very well.
I think your ideas are on the right track. A color screen is very
nice. Much nicer than the older grey-scale screens and easier to
read. The only concern I would have is if you would be able to read
the GPS screen easily while you are riding. The displays are rather
small. I don't have GPS on my unit (a Palm LifeDrive), but I use it
for spreadsheets. If you are going to use the unit to replace your
computer for writing notes at the end of the day, I would strongly
recommend that you get a folding keyboard. It will make that kind of
data entry much easier. Another useful addition is software called
Documents-To-Go. That will allow you to import and export MS Office
documents to your PDA, and you will be able to edit them (type
letters and notes).
I am able to use my unit as an MP-3 player and it works rather well,
but I have switched to an I-Pod. The controls for music on the Ipod
are easier to operate on the go than with the PDA, especially with
gloves on. My PDA uses a bunch of electricity as well compared to
the Ipod. Battery life is 3 hours with the PDA, 10 or so with the
Ipod performing the same task, so you will want to be able to charge
the PDA while you are riding.
Another accessory that you definitely want to purchase is a clear
screen protector. Don't worry if you can't find an an exact fit for
your PDA. These are made of clear plastic and trim easily to any
size or shape you will need. The screens on PDA can be scratched
easily by repeated use and dirt or grit.
As far as which model to purchase, I have always gotten the top of
the line model and have never been sorry. At first it may seem like
you are paying for features you'll never need, but with time and the
advance of technology you will be using the full capabilities of the
unit before you know it. My opinion is that by spending some
additional money you will increase the usuable life of your PDA by
getting something at is at the start of its design lifetime, rather
than an older unit which is nearing the end.
I would be careful about using a PDA in the rain. I'm very sure the
level of waterproofness isn't anywhere near that of a dedicated GPS
unit, so keep that in mind.
Also, DON'T do any welding with a PDA in your pocket. I fried a unit
three years ago, and all I did was hold some parts so they could be
tack-welded. The good news is that most of my data was backed up on
my laptop, so it was just to purchase a new unit.
I guess that is about all I can think of for advice for now. Feel
free to drop me a line if you have any other questions and I'll do my
best to help you.
Ross Lindberg
Fertile, MN
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim" wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> I've been in sleep mode (even lower than Lurk) for the winter, but
> spring is coming in a few months, so I'm beginning to think about
> trips again. My current GPS is getting long in the tooth: a Garmin
> GPS-V that I've had for a few years now. Its been on my KLR in the
> summer, snowmobile in the winter, and its always in my other
vehicles
> when on any kind of trip. I like it, but its very limited compared
to
> the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger
> screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I just
> began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability.
>
> My thoughts are that I could store MP3s on it, use a bluetooth GPS
> receiver, and with the right unit, have WiFi to send e-mails and
> photos home while on a trip. It would also be handy to be able to
> write up details of the day's riding at the end of the day, or save
> any info that strikes me while I'm on the road (place names,
> services/stores/businesses I see while in new areas, etc.) I already
> have a cell phone that I don't want to replace, so I don't need a
> Blackberry or any other that doubles as a cell phone. It would be
nice
> to combine items so that I use less power (I already have driving
> lights, Sirius, will be getting a bike-friendly radar detector, and
> charge my cell phone). It would also save space over taking my
> notebook computer with me on trips...not to mention saving the
> notebook from the danger of being damaged.
>
> I'm not looking for anything crazy new, and I would be shopping ebay
> to save money. I have found several brand-name PDAs that can be had
> for well under $100 such as the Palm M515, Palm TX, and non-current
> Ipaq's. Various bluetooth GPS receivers can be had for around $25 or
> less. Mapping software is also quite reasonable. Most I have seen
> don't have the Wifi built in for this price range, but cards are
very
> cheap to add it.
>
> Now for the problem. I have never used a PDA, and don't know much
> about them other than what I've read in ebay descriptions and on the
> Palm web site. I know I'm not going to get a top notch unit in my
> price range, but I also don't want to end up kicking myself for
> getting something I won't be happy with. What are features I should
be
> looking at? I want something flexible that I can change and upgrade
as
> I choose. And I don't want a generic/unknown unit that has good
> features, but I can't get Ram cradles, software, or accessores for.
>
> I know I'm asking a lot...hopefully someone will take a little pity
on
> me and help me out a bit. Thanks in advance.
>
> Jim
> Milan, NH
> 4-5 feet of snow in my back yard, and I'm thinking about riding
already!
>
nklr pda/gps questions
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:51 am
by E.L. Green
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim" wrote:
> the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger
> screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I just
> began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability.
Keep thinking. The problem with PDA's is that they are not weatherproof. Which is a problem
when it starts raining.
Right now I'm using a Garmin Zumo 550. Expensive, a bit large and clunky there on my
handlebar, but completely weatherproof. It'll store mp3's too, just need to put a big-enough
SMC card in it to hold'em. Comes with nation-wide streetmaps on its internal memory, so
the memory card is only used for extra maps or waypoints. The Garmin topo maps, crappy as
they are, will load just fine onto the memory card and you can switch between topo and
street view the normal way you do with Garmin GPS's (i.e., clumsily -- they don't do layering).
nklr pda/gps questions
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:05 pm
by Jim
I'm not too worried about weather protection- Ram makes weatherproof
boxes just for units like these, and you can even still use the touch
screen through them. Even if I can't use the PDA 100% of the time, it
would be much more convenient than my black and white Garmin, which I
have to load maps into every time I go anywhere, and have to plan
exactly which maps to load in because it doesn't hold all that many.
Fine if I'm riding within my local state, but if I was doing a long
weekend ride, it would be a pain.
I know there are some good GPS units out right now, but most of them
aren't weather proof either unless I spend a bunch more money. And
with the PDA, I have more options over the maps and info. I just
bought a dedicated GPS receiver for my notebook and I think its going
to work great with Streets & Trips. I have tried the Garmin software,
and it sucks. The uploadable maps work fine in the GPS, but the PC
software leaves a lot to be desired.
I know I will be giving up a little bit on each item by combining them
(laptop, MP3 player, GPS, etc.) into one unit, but I'll also have much
fewer items to deal with. As long as I can read the maps while riding,
make a few notes at the end of the day, and use e-mail when in a wifi
area, I'll be happy. Even if I have to carry my existing GPS with me
to use during bad weather, I'll still have the better maps of the PDA
to use when its not raining.
Jim
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "E.L. Green" wrote:
>
> --- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim" wrote:
> > the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger
> > screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I just
> > began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability.
>
> Keep thinking. The problem with PDA's is that they are not
weatherproof. Which is a problem
> when it starts raining.
>
> Right now I'm using a Garmin Zumo 550. Expensive, a bit large and
clunky there on my
> handlebar, but completely weatherproof. It'll store mp3's too, just
need to put a big-enough
> SMC card in it to hold'em. Comes with nation-wide streetmaps on its
internal memory, so
> the memory card is only used for extra maps or waypoints. The Garmin
topo maps, crappy as
> they are, will load just fine onto the memory card and you can
switch between topo and
> street view the normal way you do with Garmin GPS's (i.e., clumsily
-- they don't do layering).
>
nklr pda/gps questions
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:55 pm
by John Kokola
I don't know much about PDAs, but I think that the reman Garmin 2610
from EdgeGPS for $189 is a smoking deal.
http://www.edgegps.com/eCart/viewItem.html?idProduct=263
--John Kokola
Jim wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I've been in sleep mode (even lower than Lurk) for the winter, but
> spring is coming in a few months, so I'm beginning to think about
> trips again. My current GPS is getting long in the tooth: a Garmin
> GPS-V that I've had for a few years now.
nklr pda/gps questions
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:19 am
by Spike55
Jim:
Another alternative, sort of, is a reman Garmin 2820 Street Pilot:
Waterproof, XM capable (radio, weather, traffic), MP3 player capable,
touchscreen, Bluetooth, all for the low price of $600.
Don R100, A6F
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim" wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> I've been in sleep mode (even lower than Lurk) for the winter, but
> spring is coming in a few months, so I'm beginning to think about
> trips again. My current GPS is getting long in the tooth: a Garmin
> GPS-V that I've had for a few years now. Its been on my KLR in the
> summer, snowmobile in the winter, and its always in my other
vehicles
> when on any kind of trip. I like it, but its very limited compared
to
> the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger
> screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I just
> began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability.
>
> My thoughts are that I could store MP3s on it, use a bluetooth GPS
> receiver, and with the right unit, have WiFi to send e-mails and
> photos home while on a trip. It would also be handy to be able to
> write up details of the day's riding at the end of the day, or save
> any info that strikes me while I'm on the road (place names,
> services/stores/businesses I see while in new areas, etc.) I already
> have a cell phone that I don't want to replace, so I don't need a
> Blackberry or any other that doubles as a cell phone. It would be
nice
> to combine items so that I use less power (I already have driving
> lights, Sirius, will be getting a bike-friendly radar detector, and
> charge my cell phone). It would also save space over taking my
> notebook computer with me on trips...not to mention saving the
> notebook from the danger of being damaged.
>
> I'm not looking for anything crazy new, and I would be shopping ebay
> to save money. I have found several brand-name PDAs that can be had
> for well under $100 such as the Palm M515, Palm TX, and non-current
> Ipaq's. Various bluetooth GPS receivers can be had for around $25 or
> less. Mapping software is also quite reasonable. Most I have seen
> don't have the Wifi built in for this price range, but cards are
very
> cheap to add it.
>
> Now for the problem. I have never used a PDA, and don't know much
> about them other than what I've read in ebay descriptions and on the
> Palm web site. I know I'm not going to get a top notch unit in my
> price range, but I also don't want to end up kicking myself for
> getting something I won't be happy with. What are features I should
be
> looking at? I want something flexible that I can change and upgrade
as
> I choose. And I don't want a generic/unknown unit that has good
> features, but I can't get Ram cradles, software, or accessores for.
>
> I know I'm asking a lot...hopefully someone will take a little pity
on
> me and help me out a bit. Thanks in advance.
>
> Jim
> Milan, NH
> 4-5 feet of snow in my back yard, and I'm thinking about riding
already!
>
nklr pda/gps questions
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 4:21 pm
by Greg May
Hi Jim, something you mentioned caught my interest. I have a Garmin Legend, which while very limited works great for what I use it for, I've never had a real need for something that would guide me on a planned trip. What caught my eye and got we looking was the 2008 Streets and Trips software that comes with a GPS receiver that you mentioned and the 2007 EuroTours for connection to a laptop. It looks like I could pick up both of these for somewhere around $125 which is probably not too much more then the additional cost of a GPS added to a rental car for a couple of weeks when I go to Europe in the spring and of course then I would always have just one more toy to play with..
.. How have you found this too work and for that matter has anyone else out there had any experiences with a GPS connected to your laptop......Have a great evening....Greg
Jim wrote: I'm not too worried about weather protection- Ram makes weatherproof
boxes just for units like these, and you can even still use the touch
screen through them. Even if I can't use the PDA 100% of the time, it
would be much more convenient than my black and white Garmin, which I
have to load maps into every time I go anywhere, and have to plan
exactly which maps to load in because it doesn't hold all that many.
Fine if I'm riding within my local state, but if I was doing a long
weekend ride, it would be a pain.
I know there are some good GPS units out right now, but most of them
aren't weather proof either unless I spend a bunch more money. And
with the PDA, I have more options over the maps and info. I just
bought a dedicated GPS receiver for my notebook and I think its going
to work great with Streets & Trips. I have tried the Garmin software,
and it sucks. The uploadable maps work fine in the GPS, but the PC
software leaves a lot to be desired.
I know I will be giving up a little bit on each item by combining them
(laptop, MP3 player, GPS, etc.) into one unit, but I'll also have much
fewer items to deal with. As long as I can read the maps while riding,
make a few notes at the end of the day, and use e-mail when in a wifi
area, I'll be happy. Even if I have to carry my existing GPS with me
to use during bad weather, I'll still have the better maps of the PDA
to use when its not raining.
Jim
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "E.L. Green" wrote:
>
> --- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim" wrote:
> > the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger
> > screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I just
> > began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability.
>
> Keep thinking. The problem with PDA's is that they are not
weatherproof. Which is a problem
> when it starts raining.
>
> Right now I'm using a Garmin Zumo 550. Expensive, a bit large and
clunky there on my
> handlebar, but completely weatherproof. It'll store mp3's too, just
need to put a big-enough
> SMC card in it to hold'em. Comes with nation-wide streetmaps on its
internal memory, so
> the memory card is only used for extra maps or waypoints. The Garmin
topo maps, crappy as
> they are, will load just fine onto the memory card and you can
switch between topo and
> street view the normal way you do with Garmin GPS's (i.e., clumsily
-- they don't do layering).
>
---------------------------------
Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nklr pda/gps questions
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:09 pm
by Spike55
There's only one thing that bugs me about Garmin is the Topo software
package. Being a KLR rider I lean toward the Garmin's Topo package
vs. their Metro software (I could care less about restraunts, bed &
breakfasts, etc). What bugs me about the Topo is to download /
upload to my eTrx Legend (limited memory) you need to have the Topo
CD in the computer drive for it to work (zoom in / out / scroll /
etc). With Metro, you can load it all into a directory on the
computer and then you can map-away - leave the CDs at home. It would
be a great for me if Topo loaded the same as Metro since my laptop
that doesn't have an internal DVD / CD drive and I don't want to
carry / damage the CD's while on a trip.
I talked to Garmin about this and the rep said it was designed that
way becuase computers don't have that much memory - BBBB SSSS! I'd
have no other concern with Garmin if that Topo issue was addressed.
Don R100, A6F
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Greg May wrote:
>
> Hi Jim, something you mentioned caught my interest. I have a Garmin
Legend, which while very limited works great for what I use it for,
I've never had a real need for something that would guide me on a
planned trip. What caught my eye and got we looking was the 2008
Streets and Trips software that comes with a GPS receiver that you
mentioned and the 2007 EuroTours for connection to a laptop. It looks
like I could pick up both of these for somewhere around $125 which is
probably not too much more then the additional cost of a GPS added to
a rental car for a couple of weeks when I go to Europe in the spring
and of course then I would always have just one more toy to play
with..
.. How have you found this too work and for that matter has
anyone else out there had any experiences with a GPS connected to
your laptop......Have a great evening....Greg
>
> Jim wrote: I'm not too worried about
weather protection- Ram makes weatherproof
> boxes just for units like these, and you can even still use the
touch
> screen through them. Even if I can't use the PDA 100% of the time,
it
> would be much more convenient than my black and white Garmin, which
I
> have to load maps into every time I go anywhere, and have to plan
> exactly which maps to load in because it doesn't hold all that many.
> Fine if I'm riding within my local state, but if I was doing a long
> weekend ride, it would be a pain.
>
> I know there are some good GPS units out right now, but most of them
> aren't weather proof either unless I spend a bunch more money. And
> with the PDA, I have more options over the maps and info. I just
> bought a dedicated GPS receiver for my notebook and I think its
going
> to work great with Streets & Trips. I have tried the Garmin
software,
> and it sucks. The uploadable maps work fine in the GPS, but the PC
> software leaves a lot to be desired.
>
> I know I will be giving up a little bit on each item by combining
them
> (laptop, MP3 player, GPS, etc.) into one unit, but I'll also have
much
> fewer items to deal with. As long as I can read the maps while
riding,
> make a few notes at the end of the day, and use e-mail when in a
wifi
> area, I'll be happy. Even if I have to carry my existing GPS with me
> to use during bad weather, I'll still have the better maps of the
PDA
> to use when its not raining.
>
> Jim
>
> --- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "E.L. Green" wrote:
> >
> > --- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim" wrote:
> > > the technology available now. I'd like something color, a larger
> > > screen, and multi-use to save on space and power consumption. I
just
> > > began thinking about a PDA with mapping ability.
> >
> > Keep thinking. The problem with PDA's is that they are not
> weatherproof. Which is a problem
> > when it starts raining.
> >
> > Right now I'm using a Garmin Zumo 550. Expensive, a bit large and
> clunky there on my
> > handlebar, but completely weatherproof. It'll store mp3's too,
just
> need to put a big-enough
> > SMC card in it to hold'em. Comes with nation-wide streetmaps on
its
> internal memory, so
> > the memory card is only used for extra maps or waypoints. The
Garmin
> topo maps, crappy as
> > they are, will load just fine onto the memory card and you can
> switch between topo and
> > street view the normal way you do with Garmin GPS's (i.e.,
clumsily
> -- they don't do layering).
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk
email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
nklr pda/gps questions
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:28 pm
by Jeff Saline
On Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:09:45 -0000 "Spike55"
writes:
> There's only one thing that bugs me about Garmin is the Topo software
>
> package. Being a KLR rider I lean toward the Garmin's Topo package
>
> vs. their Metro software (I could care less about restraunts, bed &
>
> breakfasts, etc). What bugs me about the Topo is to download /
> upload to my eTrx Legend (limited memory) you need to have the Topo
>
> CD in the computer drive for it to work (zoom in / out / scroll /
> etc). With Metro, you can load it all into a directory on the
> computer and then you can map-away - leave the CDs at home. It
> would
> be a great for me if Topo loaded the same as Metro since my laptop
> that doesn't have an internal DVD / CD drive and I don't want to
> carry / damage the CD's while on a trip.
>
> I talked to Garmin about this and the rep said it was designed that
>
> way because computers don't have that much memory - BBBB SSSS! I'd
>
> have no other concern with Garmin if that Topo issue was addressed.
>
> Don R100, A6F
<><><><><><><><>
<><><><><><><><>
Don,
Below is a "secret" I got from someone in 2005. It might have even been
from this list. I did what it suggests and TOPO works on my lap top
without the CD. Might be worth a try.
Best,
Jeff Saline
ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal
Airheads Beemer Club
www.airheads.org
The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota
75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT
<><><><><><><>
<><><><><><><>
"Thank you for contacting Garmin Cartography. There's a "back door" way
of installing it to your computer without having to use the CD's every
time. Unfortunately, this is not included in the manual. Please feel free
to pass this info. along to anyone you know who is encountering the same
problem.
What you need to do is put the CD into the drive. Empty/Copy the entire
contents of your CD drive to somewhere on your hard drive. Then run the
install...Straight from your hard-drive. This will allow you to run the
program as normal... without... having to put the CD in every time. For
those that already have it installed, they must fully uninstall the
program and start these directions from scratch."
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
'08 klr 650......has kawasaki gone the wrong direction???
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:30 pm
by Gary LaRue
If you ain't never dropped it, you ain't ridin' it like it's s'posed to be ridden!
Lash
----- Original Message ----
> dont drop a bike u cant handle?---- Handling a bike doesn't factor in
> many times. Flat tire, other riders, ice and many other things.
>
> Alan Henderson A13 Iowa who has knocked his bike over in the
> driveway.
Getting sideways on a steep dirt hill and not being able to get the downhill
foot down did it for me.
Michael
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]