Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

Third-party software for GPS Companion

I recently received a GPS Companion for my VDx and was wondering about third-party software for my Visor. I already have a Magellan ColorTrak as a standalone GPS which basically performs the same functions as the Nav Companion software which came with the GPS Companion. So, I bought the GPS Companion for the flexibility of software upgrades as well as the promise of moving map displays. The Map Companion software that came with the GPS companion has great street level detail (reminds me of Mapopolis) but also has some glaring deficiencies. For example, you cannot plan routes or name waypoints and there is no display for your basic GPS info on the map like speed, distance, and ETE to your destination. Magellan does provide some weblinks for different software, but reviews and details are hard to come by and I don't want to shell out the cash to discover it's not what I want. Here's some features I'm interested in having:

1. The ability to plan or at least display a route on the map
2. Decent street level detail for major towns
3. Prominent geography features like rivers and lakes
4. A simple GPS information display on top or bottom of the map
5. The ability to name waypoints on the maps
6. Seamless scrolling between adjacent maps
7. An extensive map database
8. Relevant points of interest

Of the software I have researched, TomTom's Route USA and GPS Pilot's Atlas showed the most promise as each have some, but not all of these features. I've also seen a lot about Delorme's Solus Pro software. I realize I may be asking too much from a PDA with only 8 Mb of memory. Can anyone provide some insight into any of this software or other options that can perform some or most of these features. Any replies are greatly appreciated.

Brian

Registered: Jul 2001
Location:
Posts: 11

I use solus pro 3.0 and can comment on the following:

1. The ability to plan or at least display a route on the map
This can be perfromed from the interent through an application that is installed both on the PC and your Visor. The rout is planned and then loaded into the visor. You can also use many of the other mapping software packages from the same company

2. Decent street level detail for major towns
I've ran a few major cities and there seems to be good coverage.

3. Prominent geography features like rivers and lakes
Lake detail seems to be a bit lacking, but have not paid much attention to it. I do know that rivors are represented

4. A simple GPS information display on top or bottom of the map
You can switch between GPS data and maps, but I don't believe you can have both displayed at the same time other than you location.

5. The ability to name waypoints on the maps
Don't believe so.

6. Seamless scrolling between adjacent maps
It will automatically load adjacent maps as necessary (as long as they reside on your visor).

7. An extensive map database
About as extensive as you want to get.

8. Relevant points of interest
This is a bit lacking on the web map builder but is probably well represented in other mapping software solutions.

I have had a fair number of problems with the web based map builder in Solus Pro in that rarely does it actually find a street address. Seems there is seldom an exact match. Additionally the routes calculated seem to be a bit odd at times. I think it considers shortest distance, not quickest route. It will also not recalculate on the fly if you get off course which is one feature I would love to see in a Palm application.

Consider that I have limited experience with it though. About to embark on my first 2400 mile trip with it in about a week. I was most interested in the route planning and the ability to notify me prior to turns with a beep.

Good luck and let us know what you come up with!

Steve

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 13

Solus pro 2.0 is fine too!

I use Solus Pro 2.0 (you can get it cheap at Best Buy or CompUSA) with the recent patch in my VPL w/ the GPS Companion. I use it in conjunction with Street Atlas Road Warrior Edition (I prefer it to a web based connection) and I'm very happy with it. If you prefer to use a resident program on your PC or laptop Solus Pro 2.0 may be an excellent alternative to 3.0 (be sure to get the most recent patch from the DeLorme web site).

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Arlington TX
Posts: 67

Any other options

I travel for my job and I was wondering how I can plan where to go - turns, distance, direction, travel time - the basics

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Pembroke,MA
Posts: 307

TomTom Route USA might be something you want to look at, but that is city to city directions with route planning, distance, turn here stuff. It is mostly main roads/highways only though. I does not go into city street detail.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mineola, NY USA
Posts: 161

Have any of you tried or looked into Tracker 5.05i? I've been looking for GPS software too and found it at Palmgear( their own site is http://gpspilot.com/). If it does half of what they say on their web site, it would be great. Though it doesn't specifically mention Visor, I e-mailed them this morning and got a prompt reply saying that the Visors are supported.

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