Re: GPS: Garmin or DeLorme?-Palm version?

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: : : My father travels with a laptop running Delorme with the Delorme Earthmate receiver. It's very accurate, easy-to-use. : : : I don't have a laptop, but I do run Delorme's Palm software (Solus) with the same Earthmate receiver (and a connector to fit the Palm). The Palm version is an improvement over nothing, but it definitely lacks the power and changeability of the laptop-run version. : : : We've used the Delorme (laptop) for some ghost-towning. It worked well, although it doesn't know all the secondary roads. It took us off a bladed road onto a rougher road in Nevada. After a few minutes, we ran back into the bladed road. : : : I'm strongly in favor of Delorme, not knowing too much about Garmin. I've used a handheld version without maps, and not had much success. : : : Good to know other ghost-towners are getting into GPS. : : So my information that Ihad recieved initially was correct? When using the palm you #1 can not change the maps you have to be totally prepared in advance, as you would upload them onto the palm? Correct? and thus limiting your usage...correct? : : Since at this point you seem to be the authority on using the palm version, please share more information regarding delorme and palm connected to earthlink. : : Thanks Guy and Zack : I would say that your original information is correct. Here's my run-down on the Delorme for Palm. (Be warned--it's long.) : (1) Maps take a lot of Palm memory space. Delorme lets you choose what level of detail you want to export to the Palm. Obviously, the more detail, the larger the file. Also obvious, for ghost-towning, you'd want detailed maps. : I've found it easy to load a map of say, 1.2 Megabytes on my 8 Megabyte Palm Vx. : (2) You definitely are not able to update your route, etc. The Palm does not let you change anything you've added, although it does let you mark a coordinate on the map when you're in the field. : My solution to fix the "update-ability" problem is to load a larger map than I need. The software lets you load maps separately from directions (the directions hardly take any memory). So I add directions for any possible deviations from the original. I just have to make sure the map I load is large enough. : (3) Whereas the laptop version can "talk" to you about upcoming route changes, the Palm chirps approximately 1 minute from a change on the route. : This helps, but when the same piece of pavement is, say, 2 state routes, and 1 US highway, things get confusing. The problem also exists when the same piece of pavement alternates between various routes. : Also, if you get off your route, the Palm doesn't really help you get back. It'll chirp near a turn, but you don't necessarily know which way to go. : (4) Since the Palm screen is small, you get either the map, the directions, or, lat/long etc. Switching from screen-to-screen is slow with the GPS working. : (5)At least the version that I have doesn't leave a trail of where you've been; it only shows where you are currently. No "trail of bread crumbs." : *********** : All this being said, I do have some points to commend it on. They are as follows: : (1)It's only about $200 for EVERYTHING you need to get going on Palm--if you have a Palm device. That's a lot of ability for the money. : (2)The kit includes all that you would need to run on a laptop should you get a laptop. The receiver fits a connection that a laptop would have. If the laptop has a CD-ROM, then you can run the map off of that. : (3)The cord from the Palm to the receiver is long enough to put the Palm somewhere readable as you drive (but, of course, do NOT let it distract you!) and still have the receiver on the dash getting good GPS signal. : The handheld versions like Garmin don't do much good to a navigator when they're smashed against the windshield on the dash to get signal. : (4)The Palm is portable enough that you could take it around the ghost town site and mark coordinates. Could be done with a laptop version, but not easily. : (5)Palm's are cool! : Finally, a note about GPS in general...most consumer versions do not give accurate elevation readings. If you want that ability, then you'd have to go for a surveyor's-type GPS set up. And that's way more money than what you're looking at. : Check out www.delorme.com. It's a good website.

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