Re: Ultimate GPS unit everyone should have?

From: Peter (prathman_at_comcast.net)
Date: 01/18/05 

Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 10:50:19 -0800

Daniel TONG wrote:
>
>>OK. Let's ignore the minor detail that it doesn't have GPS built in.
>
> GPS is an accessory for ppc. There are and there will be ,more ppc
> with built-in gps

But not built-in for the one you promoted as the "ultimate". And the
accessory GPS frequently costs as much as many dedicated GPS units
which can work as either standalone or accessories.
>
>>Not very rugged is it? I wouldn't want to take that out where it
>
> could
>
>>get wet or dropped.
>
>
> There are rugged ppc as rugged as any dedicated gps unit. They are not
> cheap though
>
But not the one you promoted as the "ultimate."
>
>>And the battery life isn't too good either and replacement batteries
>>aren't cheap if you can't take a charger with you.
>
> My ppc lasts about 4 hours of continued use when using gps. And how
> often do you have the gps on 4 hours on end while hiking or driving?

At least four days per week - for bicycling, hiking, or kayaking. It's
my primary speedometer/odometer so I keep it on all the time while
moving. That also lets me record a continuous tracklog.
>
> There are very handy and cheap $10 battery extender with aa batteries
> when needed

Changing batteries while on stormy seas in a kayak isn't very safe or
convenient. Especially since the device probably won't work too well
with salt water spray getting into the connectors and open battery
compartment (even if it were otherwise waterproof).
>
>
>>So yes, the ultimate hand held GPS other than breaking too easily,
>
> not
>
>>lasting long enough and not having GPS.
>
>
> Mark my word. In 3 yrs there will be combined ppc with the power of a
> desktop (of 05 vintage) with gps and cell as well. It is the way to
> go.

All the more reason not to get the soon to be obsolete primitive
versions of that which are available now.
However there are numerous drawbacks to the multi-purpose device so
I'm not so convinced they won't continue to co-exist with specialized
devices for some time to come. As an example, clock functions are
built into many portable electronic devices and as a result I stopped
wearing a watch many years ago. Yet I still see plenty of new watches
being sold.
>
>>How about you going and spamming some PPC group instead?
>
>
> We are in an age of pc revolution (or miniturised pc =ppc) and gps
> function can easily be taken care of in an updated ppc. Proprietary
> software/handware are going nowhere at all.
>
> I have a ppc with 1 G memory card loaded with 3/4 of all the States
> costing only a fraction of a dedicated unit.

Dedicated units which support 1G memory cards have been rather widely
sold new for as little as $99 (base Meridian). What fraction of that
did your system cost (incl. the GPS accessory)?

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