GPS based street directory mapping - IV
[Tue, 25 Nov 2003 15:56:46 -0000 ]
I get your idea now. Sounds okay but you need a sattelite-version map also for the eventual mapping and getting a well-define
street maps. ISRO or similar group must be having one such map for our region, if the state department for space & research
(if there is one) do not have.
For the GPS system, it is upto you to choose whether you use laptops or Pocket PC. However, according to a recent survey, it has
been found that iGPS-CF GPS receiver from Pharos have been the most reliable GPS system (95% reliable). If you have a bluetooth
based PPC with CF card slots (you could use external jackets). That way you can eliminate all cables which can be very
troublesome sometimes.
There are third party softwares for PPC to retrieve and plot the coordinates, similar to the one you had mentioned. This
eliminates even the use of laptops. That means, all you need is a small PDA with this GPS system inserted in the device's CF slots
and you can carry the device around in your trouser's pocket anywhere, anytime.
Another thing is that this iGPS-CF is a compact small accessory for PPC and this module costs less than the set of equipments
mentioned in the site you mentioned. It is priced around US $ 249/- or so. The complete set of toolkits mentioned in your site is
US $ 300. The toolkits do not eliminate cables and external batteries.
However, one sad thing when using bluetooth based communication from the GPS enabled PDA is that it entials the use of bluetooth
enabled laptops as well. You could use "Bluetooth Null Modem" for data connection. The beauty of this is that there are no
cables involved - everything wireless. But then again, if you obtain a software that can plot directly from the PDA, this issue
never arise. Such softwares are available in the market.Compact, light, extensible and cost-friendly. This is what iGPS-CF
with PPC can offer. TOM-TOM navigational softwares have also been deployed on iPAQ 5450 series.
I work mostly on PPC with Bluetooth and trust me, it is lot better without the nasty wires.
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