Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Harrisburg
Posts: 2

Can anybody put up a summary of these three units? Even if you only have information on one that would be great... any information at all will help. I'm currently undecided on which GPS to buy! I will be leaving for Hawaii in two weeks and would definitely like to try out my GPS on my new Visor Edge!


HandyGPS

Geode

Companion

Hello again- Thank you to everyone who voted or posted! All of the input was greatly appreciated. I am off to Hawaii this Monday the 16th of April and will be taking the HandyGPS and the Companion with me! Since there is a thirty-day money back guarantee on both modules, I figured I would do my own analysis and send the one that doesn�t fit my needs back! I�ll let you know how everything went when I get back!

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Cool, Calm, Collected Cat

Last edited by yolandajonesus on 04-13-2001 at 06:14 AM

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

Some how, I don't think you're going to find too many fans of the Handy GPS. There's quite a few threads here on people who were returning them.

Personally, I thought about the Geode and even participated in the software beta (many months ago), but it's too darn expensive and selling with beta software still. I wound up with the GPS Companion. Love it. Locks on 3D from just about anywhere I've brought it, and there's oodles of software you can use with it.

Good luck with your decision!

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 24

GPS compromises

Dido Larry, GEODE hardware is probably better since it includes WAAS but the software is still pedestrian. The map storage is massive and the user interface is very poor. I have the GPScompanion but even Quo Vadis 2 doesn't come close to a real dedicated mapping GPS but it costs a lot less. Various sw packages available for NEMA outputs can each do part of the job but nothing is yet integrated. In the end, maybe a year from now, Geode maybe the best but the direction will require patience and 2x investment.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Harrisburg
Posts: 2

See thread posted by reneewilliams

So the Geode is too expensive$$$ and the companion is great! Now the HandyGPS is a no go? I was reading in a thread about Visor taking responsibility for some of the modules not working due too "RF". Has anybody else taken a look at the thread "HandyGPS Problems due to Faulty Visor"?
I'm pretty sure I will either try the Companion or the HandyGPS. I think I'll wait for some more feed back. Also, there are many customer reviews at Amazons site on the Geode, Companion, and HandyGPS. This is all very helpful!
Thank You!

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Cool, Calm, Collected Cat

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

I have both the Geode and the Companion (I'm planning to return one). Right now, the Companion is the better overall solution.

As others have said, the Geode has the most potential, but right now the software is still in beta and it lacks some of the promised features - no color support, no support for MMC cards (very necessary due to the enormous size of the maps), etc. It's also a lot more expensive.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

I like my Geode (even with it's current development issues), I like it alot, I am a newbie to GPS's in general, I think the current state of the Geode's software works very well for me.. Yes, if they activated the MMC cards it would help a great deal.. I think you have to look at it this way, what do you need now in a gps and what do you need down the road, and features are you REALLY going to actually use.. The other thing with a GPS is accuracy, if it's not accurate, why even bother. Since I am a beginner with GPS's in general, the current state of the GEODE's software is more than sufficient for me! I don't have any foreseeable need for NMEA and etc.. Long term, the GEODE will kick the pants off any other GPS.. The geode's current issues are all software related which are pretty easy to fix and send out to people, on the other hand if your hardware is limited, no download patch in the world can fix that. I don't think it will take a year like some folks are saying for the GEODE to be up to their competitors.. maybe a few months, the GEODISCOVERY folks are VERY active in testing, developing and working with the end users.. I don't think I have ever seen any other Visor (or tech company) be so involved with their end users.. As a company GEODISCOVERY is a great company to have to work with, I expect great things from them..

In the end it's your choice...

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 1

HandyGPS

I wouldn't rule out the HandyGPS just yet. I'm a satisfied customer, despite all the reviews. With a little patience, and assistance from their customer support - I've been able to sync to satellites, stay locked, and find my way around. And it's great b/c I hear that they'll be out with Rand McNally maps soon - I'm definitely looking forward to that. I don't know too much about the Geode or Magellan, but at this point in time, the HandyGPS works great for me.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3

I am going to Europe soon visiting both Rome and London.
Will the Companion be of any help in Europe?
Is there a better GPS solution I should investigate?

Thanks for the info.

Len

A new Prism owner.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Oxford, OH
Posts: 60

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lend27
I am going to Europe soon visiting both Rome and London.
Will the Companion be of any help in Europe?
Is there a better GPS solution I should investigate?

Thanks for the info.

Len

A new Prism owner.

---

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-Anybody we have not unplugged could potentially be an agent-

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

Quo Vadis Europe maps ready

quote:

---

Originally posted by RocketScientist


Hey Len...

The beauty of the Magellan is that it works with most every kind of software out there. So, if you find a mapping software that has European maps, and works with GPS... then chances are that it will work with the Companion.

---

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DXBUP

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 68

I live in Europe and I am considering buying a GPS springboard for my Visor.
Since the Magellan GPS companion is bundled with QuoVadis software, and QuoVadis is going to release european maps soon, I was wondering if I would be entitled to download the european maps for free if I purchase a US magellan springboard.
Unfortunately, the answer is no. So if you want to use european maps from QuoVadis, you'll have to pay for them

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3

I just bought the Magellan GPS Companion today. I found one at my local Staples for 149.99.
Popped in the batteries, attached it to my Prism, and lo
and behold it powered up and found my position is about
3 minutes.
Gonna download some more maps tonite. Going to Europe in 6 weeks. London and Rome. It's going to be a big help there I'm sure.

Anyone got any recommendations on map software, sites, etc?

Thanks for the info

Len

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Abilene, KS
Posts: 5

Earthmate?

I noticed that no one has mentioned the Delorme Earthmate GPS. I have one for my Palm IIIc and I also use the Magellan Companion with my Prism. Both provide excellent service but the Earthmate has one feature that I really like above the Magellan. It attachs to both the Palm and the Prism at the hotsynch connector which leaves the Prism slot available for extra storage. I have to admit I haven't tried it yet because I need to order the cable for the Prism/Earthmate but if it allows me to use the mapping software to store maps in the additional ram that would be it quite a bit more attactive than the Magellan.

Mike

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 1

HandyGPS

A summary of the HandyGPS... my experiences so far.

The HandyGPS is a comparable unit for $149.99. It's really compact, lightweight, and easy to use. Once you get the unit, you're advised to insert new batteries, set your initial area/GMT, hold it upright, and give it a few minutes. My experiences so far have been as advertised.

Satellite connection - Does take a few minutes during your cold start. But less when you're performing a warm start.

Battery consumption - I switch to save mode 1/2 to help with that.

Maps - Basically satisfied. It scrolls as you move off the screen. You can tap on a street for its name. You can perform searches. They're downloadable county by county.

I personally need it to direct myself when making business calls. It's helped me out quite a number of times. Just my two cents summarizing my experience with the HandyGPS.

-trevor

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 3

Thanks for the info

This is cool. They should provide more polls here to compare products. Anyone have more info on the Geode/Magellan maps and features though?

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 3

Me Again

More specifically... can you plot waypoints? how large is their map coverage? point to point directions? real time info?

Thanks,
p

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

Re: Thanks for the info

quote:

---

Originally posted by pbuldoc
Anyone have more info on the Geode/Magellan maps and features though?

---

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Cincinnati, OH USA
Posts: 107

Quo Vadis Demo Won't Start on VDX!

Folks,

Has anyone else experienced this problem. So far, I have downloaded and installed the Quo Vadis 2.0 (gray scale version) from a number of sites, including
Marcosoft's own site. It installs fine onto my VDX's main memory (also have HS 8MB Flash RAM SB Module installed, but program is only in VDX RAM). However, when
I tap on the Quo Vadis icon to start the program, it consistently displays an error message box that insists the demo period has expired, and that I will have to
purchase the program in ordr to continue using it.

Was hoping for a good trial, but can't get started.

Anyone else have this happen to them?

Any thoughts on what to do about it?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

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MANY BLESSINGS!
Peace and Every Good!


Michael W. Cristiani
[email protected]

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Antigo, WI
Posts: 37

Geode is my choice

I bought, tried out, and returned the HandyGPS when i first came out. After the first day, i was not able to find any satts, nor get any fixes and in the beginning when it did work out side, it did not work in the car, which was an important criteria for me. I was only able to down load 3 maps at a secession, then had to log out and back in to down load more, that was a neusence. The map contant and accuracy left me wanting.

Next i bought the Geode over the Companion (they came out about the same time) becase of the supposed accuracy of the Geode (2-3 meters) and MMC expainsion slots (128MB for maps), even though it cost more. I figured that if i was spending that much already ($150+ to start with), a little more wouldn't make much difference. I believe you usually get what you pay for. I also signed up to be a beta tester and was always on the cutting edge of their software development, which was kinda fun, even though at times there were problems with how well it funcitoned, but the Geode Engineers listened to their beta testers and solved many of the problems we were having. I am looking forward to some great Geode Treking This summer.

The geode satt reception, lock, map tracking, map content and quality, accuracy, expansion potential, company/user interface, technical support have all been beyond my expectations. The early version of the software left a lot to be disired, but the latest version has been very solid and with the potential to continuely upgrade the software makes it every better.

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Jim Klapste
[email protected]
http://www.newnorth.net/~jimmy/

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Louisville KY, USA
Posts: 43

the Geode

I've been following this thread with a great deal of interest. There are a couple of questions I have regarding the Geode.

I read a Visor Central review which covered the Geode in fairly great depth. At the time of the review, however, you could not turn your Visor off with the Geode springboard module inserted in the Visor. Has this issue been resolved?

I know fairly recently, you could not access hardware for the memory cards that the Geode has slots for. Has this been resolved?

Seems like I remember that you can get a cigarette lighter adaptor to run the Geode in your car. I could not find such an item on the web page however. Does the Geode come with this adaptor standard? If not how do you order one. Did I misremember reading that you can use one with the Geode?

I happen to live in Kentucky. When I went to the "free map" section of the Geode web page, I couldn't find a map of Kentucky. I was kind of hoping to use it since I know my home town fairly well "Louisville KY" but I don't know the state all that particularly well. I would really like something that could direct me to points of interest in Kentucky like museums and and state parks and the like. So far the only thing I could find on the Geode website for Kentucky is how to find Crispy Kreme doughnut locations. Is there anything else out there for Kentucky?

I gather that the only mapping software you can use with the Geode is the software that is packaged with it. Is that permanent? I too would like to see the street names on the map without tapping the screen.

At the moment, I openly acknowledge that the Magellan is a better gps at a better cost. But the Geode seems to have so much more potential. I'm not one of these guys that will go out and buy the newest tech toy when something newer and cooler comes out. I have a tendancy to sit on my stuff for a long long time. So the gps unit I invest in will probablly have to last me a very long time.

For that reason, I am seriously considering a stand alone unit. The only thing swaying me from this is the potential for having a "tour guide" built into the gps which can lead me directly to points of interest.

::whew, didn't mean to be that long winded::

Any and all input would be appreciated.

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