PalmBlog: GPS: Global Palm Spectacular

September 22, 2003

GPS: Global Palm Spectacular

Once upon a time I decided to connect a GPS (global positioning system) receiver to my Palm handheld. Unfortunately, because the handheld in question was my old IIIxe (8 megs of RAM, 160 x 160 pixel monochrome display, 16 Mhz slow processor), that story had an unhappy ending. The maps took forever to Hotsync onto the IIIxe, they did not display clearly, it was too slow for routing -- in short, $50 on the receiver wasted.

Fast forward to 2003. I now have a Tungsten C with 64 Megs of RAM plus an SD slot for expansion, a 64,000-color 320x320 display, and (most importantly) 400 Mhz of processing speed to play with. Having heard that Radio Shack was liquidating their Palm-compatible Digitraveler GPS receiver for a mind-boggling $40 including cables, I decided to give it a try. I took the advice of various online forum participants and downloaded the beta of Mapopolis' new Navigator for Palm, bought the RS unit, loaded the three maps that would cover my trip from work to home, and gave it a try. I clipped the Digitraveler to my car's windshield, gave it a fair amount of time to find the satellites the first time, and fired up the app.

Wow.

WOW!

The Digitraveler worked as advertised, and Mapopolis Navigator (a complete revision of their old software, and only compatible with OS5 handhelds like the Tungsten C) not only provides speedy route calculation, but actually does voice prompts. Although the volume coming out of the T|C's speaker could be better, and I'd like an option to choose more highways (the route it gave me for my ride home had more local roads than I would have chosen), the fact is that it works and works well. Highly recommended. {Jonathan}

Posted by jezor at September 22, 2003 05:36 PM

Comments

Where did you find this mythical deal? On the internet or in your local radio shack?
Thanks!

Posted by: Louis at September 24, 2003 02:20 PM

Get a list of radio shacks in your area and call. It helps a lot if you have them look up the part number which is 200-1601 or 200-1602 one for a pda one serial for a laptop. (i forget which is which) I just got one for 30 bucks! I love it with my Tungsten C. I may buy a spare.

Regards,

Bob

Posted by: Bob at October 10, 2003 09:00 PM

I just bought 6 of these devices at $29.95 for a bunch of friends. We chopped of the PDA connectors , wired up a DB9 serial port connector and use them on laptops.

Posted by: Andy at October 21, 2003 11:02 PM

Too bad the mapopolis software is so #$^%#@ expensive

Posted by: Bob at November 1, 2003 11:44 PM

Hello,

Great website. Yes the Mapopolis Navigator Mapping Software is expensive at $124.99

I am a newbie at GPS with my Palm Zire 71,
What is this: Mapopolis MapPack for Palm OS for $35.00?

Jonathan can you inform us on a deal with Mapopolis or any other Palm OS 5 program available to work with the Digitraveler? Thanks!

Quick Question: With the Digitraveler plugged into the car's cigarette lighter and powered up, and the Digitraveler plugged into the Universal Port of the Palm Unit, will the Palm device also be charging up in this configuration? Please e-mail me an answer, I would appreciate it. Keep the website going its a great resource.

THANKS!

Ruben

Posted by: Ruben at November 19, 2003 09:29 PM

Hi,

I just purchased the Digitraveler and am having a hard time with the connectors that came with the unit. The palm connector doesn't seem to fit my Tungsten T. Anyone have suggestions or ideas to help me make it work? Also, are there any good deals on mapopolis now? Over $100.00 seems too expensive.

Thanks,
Reese

Posted by: Reese at December 29, 2003 10:55 AM

Reese,

The Palm cable that comes with it works fine with my Tungsten T.

Posted by: Brian at December 31, 2003 01:56 AM

Hello,

I agree with Jezor about the capabilities of the IIIxe (My current PDA) with the Digitraveler.
I was wondering, if any one has herd how well Mapopolis and the Digitraveler works with the Palm Zire 71? The Tungsten C is a excellent hand-held, but it's cost is a bit much for me. I also like the idea of a camera built into the Zire 71.

Thanks,
Dave B.

Posted by: Dave B. at February 1, 2004 02:25 AM

Does anyone know away to connect the DigiTraveler to a Tungsten C and also plug it into a car lighter socket to keep the battery charged. Thank you.

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