Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

From this news story:

There are currently three GPS modoles that have been announced, and we will have a full comparison of the modules once we get our hands on them. What I would like to know is what items should be compared in these modules? Are there specific frequencies, specifications, etc that you are interested in? Post what you want to see compared here.

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James Hromadka
VisorCentral.com
Personal Website: http://www.Hromadka.com

[This message has been edited by JHromadka (edited 05-23-2000).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 109

Having never used a GPS device personally, I'm not too sure what technical stuff their is to compare. But here's what I'd like to know:

- Battery usage (does it draw from the Visor, or it's own batteries -- and then if those are rechargable / renewable).

- Compass (This seems like such a simple thing to ask about, and perhaps ti's so simple that it's a given)

- Accuracy (especially since they recently eliminated the blurring of the GPS signal for civilian use). Perhaps the hardware CAN handle it automatically, but does the software?

- How good is the accompanying map software and maps? Grey-scale? Updatable? Stored on SpringBoard or in Visor memory? Detail? Landmarks? Add your own landmarks?

- What can the accompanying software tell you? Position? Direction? Velocity? Altitude?

Until I think of more...

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Posts: 42

Hi James:

My suggestion is to break any review into two parts, GPS functionality and supporting software functionality (i.e. maps and such). Two sites you may what to check for background information on GPS are http://www.gps4fun.com and http://joe.mehaffey.com

For GPS Functionality Comparisons include the following (obtained from www.gps4fun.com ):

Reception under tree cover or inside a car
Easy to learn
Integration with laptop or other computer
Antenna Type
Capable of using external antenna
Dynamics (how many Gs will it take, hopefully more than the Visor)
Operating Temperature
Water Resistance (to include the Visor)
Number of Parallel Channels
Max number of concurrent satellites it can track
Acquisition Time Cold (Cold => unit turned off)
Acquisition Time Warm
Position Update Rate
External Power Available
No and Size of Batteries (Beyond the Visor's two AAA)
Expected Battery Life
Internal Back-up Battery
Easy to Initialize
Number of Screens
Number of Waypoints
Size of Waypoint Names
Proximity Waypoints
Number of Savable Routes/Legs
Plot Trail ("bread crumbs")
Number of Graphic Icons
Accuracy SA Off
Maximum Speed
Alarms
Simulator Mode
Position Averaging Feature
Average Speed
Trip Odometer
Sunrise/Sunset times
Man Overboard (MOB)
Course Projection Indicator
Distance between points
Northfinder
Compass Functionality
Thermometer
Multiple Languages (and which ones)
Trip Time
Trip Distance
Differential GPS Capable
NMEA Interface
Ability to interface with devices other than the Visor
Waypoint Software Available
Built-in Data
Downloadable Data
Number of Preprogrammed Datums
Number of User Definable Datums
Coordinate Types
Latitude/Longitude
UTM
MGRS
British
Maidenhead
Loran TD
French
Finnish
Irish
Swedish
German
Swiss
Taiwan
Others????
User Defined
User Manual

To get a sense of what current GPS units offer and how they compare among themselves take a look at http://www.gps4fun.com/compare1.html http://www.gps4fun.com/compare2.html and http://www.gps4fun.com/compare3.html


Supporting Software Functionality:

City Maps (how many and how accurate)
Able to use Topographic maps
How many third party maps can it use
Searching Capabilities:
By Address
By Intersection
By Type (Hotel, Restaurant, Airport, City Hall etc.)
How comprehensive and accurate is the database (Hotels, Restaurants, Points of Interest etc.)
Able to do routing
Turn by Turn direction capable
Size of maps
Do maps mosaic together (Quo Vadis) or are they completely stand alone (mapopilis)
Download GPS tracking information for use in other programs

Hope this helps
Jerry



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Truth is stranger than fiction, but it
is because Fiction is obliged to stick
to possibilities; Truth isn't. -- Mark Twain

Registered: May 2000
Location: Ft. Walton Beach, FL
Posts: 37

I would suggest testing it against a company like Garmin, my personnel favorite GPS manufacturer, that has invested alot of time and money into these devices.

Things to look for:
1. How many waypoints can be stored?
2. Does it offer a tracback feature?
3. Accuracy vs. Garmin
4. How many satelites is it tracking and how many required for 3d navigation?
5. Is the software updateable?
6. Will it maintain lock on satelites in heavy cover such as tree's?
7. What voltage range does it operate off of? IE: My Garmin operates between 10-30 volts which allows it to lock up satelites faster and maintain that lock under cover.
8. Does it have a power save function?
9. Does it have alarms telling you when your close to destination or have deveated to far off course.
10. How many datums are stored in memory?
11. Obviously won't be water proof!!

The list could be much longer!! Personally, I don't believe the GPS module will be able to compete against companies like Garmin. The low end Garmin (GPS 12)only cost somewhere around $140-$150 dollars. I have a Garmin GPS 12CX which is color and don't believe there could be a better product built. My Garmin is used on a daily basis and is very rugged. Battery life is 24 hours of continious operation.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Dallas, TX, USA
Posts: 26

I currently have three GPS, and have given my family members 4 others (various models from Garmin). Jerryl gave very good suggestions, break the comparison into HW and SW sections. His list is also quite complete. I might also add that it would be nice to know if any of the springboard GPS units will work with any outside (third party) software (maps, mapping programs, tracking/averaging software), and can the waypoints/tracks/routes be downloaded and used in the PC.
Joe Mehaffey's site is an excellent one to see other reviews and the current state of the art in consumer GPS units.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

Thanks everyone! Now I just need to get my hands on some of these modules.

------------------
James Hromadka
VisorCentral.com
Personal Website: http://www.Hromadka.com

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 71

An important one for anyone outside the U.S. is the choice of maps that can be downloaded. QV only supplies American maps, for example, and does not at the moment support Canada or Europe. That's a big thumbs down for us Canucks who actually travel within our own country!

-Doug

Registered: May 2000
Location: Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
Posts: 7

There's obviously enough stuff there about the hardware and not being an expert on this stuff I won't add to it. But I will agree with the Canadian - for me (in Australia) availability of appropriate maps will be a major deciding factor on whether or not I get a GPS module. I don't just want a general map of Melbourne either (I know the place well enough to already) but be able to find specific streets when visiting friends etc. I suppose given that Handspring won't even let us have a visor directly at the moment (bought mine off someone in the US), it is probably a bit hopeful to think that other manufacturers would support Australia.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by Anna:
There's obviously enough stuff there about the hardware and not being an expert on this stuff I won't add to it. But I will agree with the Canadian - for me (in Australia) availability of appropriate maps will be a major deciding factor on whether or not I get a GPS module. I don't just want a general map of Melbourne either (I know the place well enough to already) but be able to find specific streets when visiting friends etc. I suppose given that Handspring won't even let us have a visor directly at the moment (bought mine off someone in the US), it is probably a bit hopeful to think that other manufacturers would support Australia.

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Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Border Independent
Posts: 69

Add six more votes from me and my collegues for European maps!