Re: Ultimate GPS unit everyone should have?

From: Andy (/dev/null_at_localhost.net)
Date: 01/19/05

  • Next message: Andy: "Re: Ultimate GPS unit everyone should have?" 
    Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 04:10:16 GMT

    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

    Well if there will be more PPC with built in GPS how is this HP device
    which doesn't have GPS built in count as the ultimate GPSR?

    >>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

    Again by your statement you are accepting that you're ultimate GPS is
    lacking features that other systems have.
    Yes you can get rugged PDAs (the TDS Recon springs to mind). They aren't
    as rugged as a GPS. The display/touchscreen is always the weak point in
    a PDA.

    >>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?

    I'm not sure. My GPS runs long enough to be logging positions all day so
    I've not needed to worry about that.

    > There are very handy and cheap $10 battery extender with aa batteries
    > when needed

    A stand along GPS doesn't need the $10 battery extender in order to use
    those same batteries. Less parts, more reliable, more rugged and cheaper
    on that point.

    >>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.

    That may well be true in 3 years time but I doubt it.
    That sort of CPU power at a low enough power for an acceptable cell
    phone life? Have you read the specs for the bulverde and other similar
    class CPUs? The OMAP2 from TI is by far the best on power draw right now
    but lacks the brute computing power, the lintel parts are faster but the
    power consumption sucks.
    Either way they aren't going to be getting anywhere near the performance
    of a desktop for a while yet. A 500MHz DPA is a long long way below the
    speed of a 500MHz desktop.
    (Short version: Don't try arguing future PDA performance specs with
    someone who's designed PCs and PDAs ;-))

    And this is all getting off topic. What has the hardware available in 3
    years time got to with the ultimate GPS unit everyone should have now?
    I agree, PPC may well be the way the markets moving for GPS. That
    doesn't make it technically better.

    > 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.

    Windows is about as proprietary as it gets.

    > 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.

    Depends what sort of dedicated unit you are talking about. You can buy a
    GPS for $100. A PDA with a 1G memory card costs a lot more than that
    without even adding GPS functionality.
    If you are talking a GPS with equivalent functionality to your PDA plus
    a GPS then yes the GPS will end up costing more. That's because they are
    targeted at different markets with different functionality requirements.

    Long term you are probably correct, most consumer GPS will end up being
    PDA based. And since MS want to combine PDAs and cell phones that is the
    way the PDA market will end up moving, they don't have any choice if
    they want to be able to buy the OS.
    But there is also always going to be a market for more rugged products
    for use in situations where a PDA just isn't suitable.

  • Next message: Andy: "Re: Ultimate GPS unit everyone should have?"

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