Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 65

once again: geode or companion?????

i want to purchase a gps module, the companion or the geode. i know, the geode is 289$ but is this the better module?

i am testing the companion at the moment and recognized the following cons:
- accuracy:
in a bigger town accuracy is about 30 yards :-(
-lost signal by driving under trees or in small streets with high buildings next to me
- long init time (up to 3 minutes)

here my questions:
whats about the accuracy of the geode, the signal strenght?
has anybody used the geode outside the us and canada?
works the geode with thirdparty software, like the famous digi map (you can create your own maps on the desktop pc and hotsync it to the palm), or mapviewer?

thanks for your help
oliver

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

GeoDiscovery appears to be essentially defunct, so don't buy a Geode unless you are willing to accept that you will be stuck with a product that is essentially still in Beta, with no support other than what folks here on the board can offer.

I have both (becuase I couldn't get GD to take the Geode back), and I generally find the Magellan to be the superior product.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 441

You're having a problem with your Magellan keeping a fix? I get 3D fixes INDOORS! I have even turned it on and it got a lock in 2 min in a room at my work that I don't even get cell phone reception in!
Accuracy does seem to be a bit of a problem, but I think there's post-processing apps out there that make it more accurate.

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 65

yes, i have a problem with the accuracy ...

i was not able to get my position, because the magellan sets my position in a street, only 20 yards in another direction! the module don�t accept my postion, even after calibrating with the software. today i read magellan updates the software to waas. i hope they don`t forget the companion ..... 30 yards is really worse in cities with streets sometimes every 20 yards ... i don�t want to guess where i am ...

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 14

quote:

---

Originally posted by knoppi
yes, i have a problem with the accuracy ...

i was not able to get my position, because the magellan sets my position in a street, only 20 yards in another direction! the module don�t accept my postion, even after calibrating with the software. today i read magellan updates the software to waas. i hope they don`t forget the companion ..... 30 yards is really worse in cities with streets sometimes every 20 yards ... i don�t want to guess where i am ...

---

A few thoughts:
How did you get your unit to "calibrate with the software"? I have one and generally accept that a $150 GPS unit may be a little off. I have seen "self calibrating" GPS, but only in an old Magellan GPS unit (can't remember the model) that was installed in a remote van for a radio station I worked for. On the occasion that I had to drive the van from North Dallas to the Ballpark In Arlington (TX) it was "off the street" for about 30 seconds until it figured out that I was supposed to be on the street right next to the icon. Then it snapped me back onto the street and the tracking was perfect from then on. That was of course a $3000 unit back then and probably had better software because of the larger hardware it ran on. (a big black box about the size of a 12-disc changer under the driver's seat)

I also attribute the error to the maps themselves, which Magellan may not have any control over. I have noticed that in the areas where the maps are off, they are consistantly off in the same places and the same distances. I think the GPS accuracy may be better than I originally thought but I'm a cheapo and don't want to purchase another mapping software package right now to compare the accuracy of the maps themselves. I'm using the software that came with the unit (MarcoSoft) until someone improves the software a little. Can we say, "self-calibration?" or perhaps Start to End Route Planning...something MarcoSoft says they're working on.

I guess because I'm using my GPS Companion for fun and not for pin-point accuracy is why the discrepancies don't bother me much, but if I had paid big bucks for a GPS mapper unit, I would expect it to make casual conversation (cabbie plug-in module) or drive the car for me (suicide add-on card).

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 65

digimap allows you to "calibrate". you correct the postion the companion sets with the exact position you are, for example a crossroad. the best results while routing i made, was with the option "set position on street" turned off!

then the companion works really good (within 30 yards ;-))

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 65

have a look at the attached file. this is a original screenshot! no changes! and now, tell me where i am!

Attachment: screen16.gif
This has been downloaded 212 time(s).

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 14

Looks like you're in Germany...

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Mediam
http://www.prmills.com/

"Keep those programmers out of the system and get me that Chinese language file I asked for.
End of Line"
-MCP

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 54

check out the garmin etrex legend...

great stand alone w/maps

$209 at gpsnow.com

check out joe.mehaffey.com

good luck

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Germany
Posts: 116

Hmmm - I also use the Companion with a VDX and the Digi-Map Software here in Germany - and I think it works excellent. I use the SET POSITION ON STREET switch to ON.

Maybe you have a VDX unit which isn't properly shielded (RF) or what do you use?!

I also get 3D fixes inhouse and it only takes about 20 seconds to get a fix outside.

The Geode is twice the price the Companion is and I was also thinking which to buy - but the Geode company does not look too good at all and also the beta testers for their software get no response from them. So this company looks dead to me. Isn't it better to buy a product with a company alive behind it?!

Take care
Chris

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 65

quote:

---

Originally posted by ChrisMarx
Hmmm - I also use the Companion with a VDX and the Digi-Map Software here in Germany - and I think it works excellent. I use the SET POSITION ON STREET switch to ON.

Maybe you have a VDX unit which isn't properly shielded (RF) or what do you use?!

---

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Germany
Posts: 116

Hi Oliver,

hmmm ja - sometimes it is alittel bit off - you purchased the HandyGPS Pro?! Did you purchase it here in Germany or in the US? If in Germany how much did you pay?
Would you be so kind to keep us informed how the GPS Pro acts?

Because if it is really performing better - well...

Take care and happy playing with your new Handy GPS Pro
Chris

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 65

i purchased it on the nexian site, delivering to my ny address .. hope i�ll reveive it next week here in germany. price is 199 $. � don�t know wether you can purchase it in germany.

at the moment we are testing the magellan for pdassi.de, a german palm site, but we want to compare the magellan with another gps module.

next week i�m going to try out the handygps pro and will have been publishing the findings in a new topic here.

oliver

Last edited by knoppi on 08-24-2001 at 04:23 PM

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Germany
Posts: 116

Wow - you have to tell me how to get an adress in NY with mailforwarding. I tried this with a german company but they only foward letters no packages.

I am really looking forward to read your test.

How did you get the "job" in testing things for the websites?

CU
Chris

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 65

quote:

---

Originally posted by ChrisMarx
Wow - you have to tell me how to get an adress in NY with mailforwarding. I tried this with a german company but they only foward letters no packages.

I am really looking forward to read your test.

How did you get the "job" in testing things for the websites?

CU
Chris

---

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Germany
Posts: 116

Uuups - oh I see. You lucky one.
Only have relatives in Australia.

If you ever look for someone who could help you in testing things - well - you know someone.

CU
Chris