PDA to GPS: Using a Handheld Computer as a Navigation Tool
11/27/00
by Michael Flaminio
Earlier this year I reviewed Street Atlas 6.0 with
the Earthmate GPS receiver from Delorme for the Mac OS. The software/hardware
package can make any Mac a detailed GPS tool. What I most liked about the Street
Atlas bundle is its level of detail. With a single CD, you can have complete coverage
of the U.S., including street-level mapping and routing. The only problem is that
while a PowerBook is portable, it's not very practical on the road or outdoors.
Handheld GPS
Wanting a more portable solution, I looked towards handheld GPS devices. There are
quite a few handheld GPS devices for sale now, each with varying features and prices.
GPS devices of yesteryear
mainly give mapping coordinates and track movements. The new higher-end
devices offer street and highway mapping and routing. The best handheld GPSs offer
ample maps of both highways and city streets, plus the ability to upload additional
maps.
Recently I tried out three handheld GPS devices, the Garmin GPS III Plus, Garmin
StreetPilot GPS and Garmin StreetPilot Color GPS. With prices ranging from $400 to
$700, a handheld GPS device can be a hefty luxury. All these devices allow you to
track your location and plot travel routes. The devices will guide you to your destination
and offer directions as you go. They have goodies such as freeway exit information
and time/mileage to your next turn. You can also add additional maps through a $100
CD upgrade using a Windows-based computer.
Palm GPS
If a handheld GPS seems out of your price range or maybe you just don't like the
idea of carrying another digital gadget, you may want to consider putting that PDA
to use. If you're already touting around a handheld computer, a good GPS solution
may be closer than you think. A PDA will allow you to load and change maps for your
needs, in addition to cross-referencing information with other handheld services
such as Vindigo. Depending on your handheld, you probably can use a number of GPS
receivers from Eagle, Garmin and Magellan. There are also a few specific receivers
out there for individual handhelds.
If you have a Palm III or Palm V handheld, there are special GPS receivers available.
The StreetFinder GPS from Rand McNally, ($150) for example, is available for both
Palm III and Palm V based handhelds. The StreetFinder is a GPS receiver that hooks
onto the back of your handheld and features its own battery source. StreetFinder
offers an all-in-one setup with no cables or wires. For Handspring handhelds, GPS
receivers are still on the horizon using the company's springboard module interface.
Many products have been announced in 2000, but as of publication, none have shipped.
You can also use a regular GPS receiver with a serial port. For my test, I used the
Delorme Earthmate receiver with a Palm Vx and Palm III using cables from Delorme.
The cables connect from the receiver to the serial interface on the handheld. You
could likely use any GPS receiver with a serial output and compatible software. Refer
to your GPS manufacture and software maker for more information.
Mac Support
Speaking of software, there is currently no known handheld/GPS solution for the Mac
OS. StreetFinder GPS, Delorme's PDA Earthmate offering and other solutions do not
offer Mac support. This mean that you won't be able to upload additional maps or
use any other features. As a result, Mac users will either need to use a PC to upload
data or use different maps.
One particular piece of software I tested was Quo
Vadis from Marcosoft. The software is available for both grayscale and color
Palm OS devices and sells for about $65 and $70 respectively. For those interested,
there is a free demo version available for 
download. Mac users can install the program and additional
maps using the PDA hotsync. The only disadvantage is that there is no way to edit
or add details to maps on a computer since they are only uploaded to the handheld.
With the registered version of the software you receive over 23,000 county and city
maps using data from 1998.
Quo Vadis' maps are pretty small so you should have no problem adding surrounding
counties and cities to your handheld. City maps are usually under 10 k, while county
maps range around 100 k. Quo Vadis uses vector-based maps, which not only conserves
on file size, but allows fast zooming and scrolling. The way Quo Vadis uses its maps
is pretty interesting. The software can seamlessly connect maps as you add them and
also add greater detail to county maps when supplemented with city maps. Additionally,
when you upload adjoining counties, Quo Vadis will automatically connect maps as
if they were one big map. Quo Vaids can also track and scroll your movements across
maps. As an example of these features, when you're using a GSP receiver, Quo Vadis
will track your movements seamlessly from map to map. For those interested, Marcosoft
offers plenty of information on GPS and PDA compatibility,
GPS Performance
GPS is a limited technology. It's practically useless indoors and anywhere else you
don't have a good clear view of the sky. Heavily wooded areas or tall buildings can
interfere with reception and make any GPS efforts a waste of time. GPS devices seem
to work best on the open freeways. After a somewhat lengthy initiation, my Palm could
track perfectly. I usually stuck my receiver up on the dash or near the sunroof for
best reception. Some GPS receivers can use a mounted antenna to boost performance.
Overall, I though that the PDA setup worked just as well as a PC setup.
Conclusion
Either a GPS device or a GPS with a PDA can be viable travel tool. The PDA solution
is best when you already have GPS receiver. Here, only a $20 cable and $65 software
will get you on your way. Adding in a GPS receiver, or even a new PDA, raises the
price to play. Unfortunately, Mac users will need to purchase additional software
on top of a new GPS receiving to use it with their handheld computer. In the end
handheld GPS devices are nice since its an dedicated device that can just be left
in the car. PDA set up can save some money while also adding a new function to a
current device.
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