92 replies to this topic

[ProDigit]

Like many users have testified the device "GlobalSat BU 353 USB"- puck seems to run smoothly on the eeepc.

Some users claim that there's software with it as well.
Anyone uses free or openware software that is nicer looking then the default road software included on the cd?

Nowadays there are many software packages,
I'd love one in 3D a bit, nice looking, compatible with Linux (Xandros preferrably).

Any hints on getting a better Software pack is appreciated.

Unfortunately Google earth needs internet connection, and it doesn't work in Google earth.

[vofiwg]

http://navit.sourceforge.net
http://gpsdrive.de

vofiwg

[ProDigit]

nice software, I only need to get maps somewhere...

[e3frappe]

Hi!

Both GPSDrive and Roadmap has ways to download maps from the internet and store it for your trip.

[mralistair]

do they have maps for the UK as well? maps inthe us are public domain but not in the uk which is rather annoying

[y4m4]

I use GPSdrive and it works nicely. Takes time to get used to the software. I think you can download it from apt-get if you have some Debian repositories. That makes it easy to install. Definately worth your time to check out.

I want Navit but I can't get the darn thing to compile. I have build-essentials but I just can't get it to "make."

[ps2cho]

What about windows guys?

I am interested in making mine into a GPS as well.

[e3frappe]

Sorry, I said roapmap before, that's another program. I'm using roadnav, downloaded from the normal repositories for Xandros following the wiki instructions.

So for ROADNAV ( http://roadnav.sourceforge.net/ ), it works with linux, macos and windows, and it's developed from an international point of view.

Quote

do they have maps for the UK as well? maps inthe us are public domain but not in the uk which is rather annoying

OpenStreetMaps has a lot of information for UK, and Roadnav download from it. You have to register, and insert username & password in your roadnav. But there is an annoying bug: preferences does not show the OK (save) button, you have to go to the last option, do a [TAB] and blindy pres OK.

How I wish the same amount of information for my country!

[ProDigit]

I'm interested in which can display 3D view?

[sgosnell]

Roadnav does. I don't know about the others.

[Dragonduster]

do u have to pay to use GPS? never had/used one before so i wont know about them, u buy it and thats all? or u gotta pay for the use too?

[sgosnell]

The GPS system is provided by the US government, for free. It's a radio signal (actually many of them) which can be received by any receiver. You purchase a receiver, and can receive the signals for free, just like any radio or TV receiver.

[ProDigit]

I ordered one GPS Puck on evilbay, but I'm having problems with the salesguy.
He said to either pay by Paypal, or by something like a 'Bids' website, which seems a bit of a suspicious website.

I bought it, but now the Bids website does not offer services anymore, and the guy only sells to 'confirmed' Paypal accounts (which can only be US paypal accounts, since only US citizen can be confirmed at this time)...

I think I'm going to charge him for the trouble, since he's being difficult.

[Steep]

ProDigit, I'm uk based and have had a 'verified' account for some time. I think you're right it seems like that guy is a scammer, trying to force you to pay through an iffy website. Report him to eBay.

[ProDigit]

I placed a bid on a BU303, a lower version then the BU-353 but probably enough to know where we're going!

Question!:

Can you download maps from towns? (like say: Miami)?

What happens if you plan a trip, and you have to do a detour (cause of roadworks) can you downoad additional streets in advance as well? I mean, you'll not get a blank GPS right?

And does it take up much space loading maps?
I have 2GB RAM on my eeepc, but only 600MB on my SSD left :/

Edited by ProDigit, 12 January 2008 - 11:06 PM.

[sgosnell]

Downloading additional maps depends on a wifi connection, or a cellphone. Most apps, though, will download plenty of maps for a detour. Roadnav will download whatever maps it thinks you need, or you can manually download them. You can either have it get directions for a route, giving a start and finish address, or get directions from the current GPS location. It will get all the maps you need, and more, and will reroute you if you detour. I can't say much about other apps, because I haven't tried them.

[ProDigit]

any one experience if the BU 303 works or not?

[agraham]

Quote

any one experience if the BU 303 works or not?

I've got one and it works fine under XP

[Marty1596]

So after poking around on the web sites you guys recommend, I'm kind of stumped. Do any of you use a GPS puck and your Eee for real, turn-by-turn directions to a destination? GpsDrive's FAQ says it doesn't do turn-by-turn and RoadNav says that it assumes all one-way roads are two-way, which is pretty much horrifying. I could see where these apps were fun for LAN sniffing or just tracing routes, but what about directions?

edit: Well, Navit from the second post seems to be closer to what I'm describing...

Edited by Marty1596, 13 January 2008 - 03:08 PM.

[EeePCer]

Quote

What about windows guys?

I am interested in making mine into a GPS as well.

I'm not really a windows guy because I use linux on my eee and my home pc, but I run windows XP on my carPC.

I have a globalsat bu-353 and iGuidance 4.0, it's really nice software.
-it has full map of the US and Canada built in (just install the software and use it, no need to load maps, etc).
-it clearly speaks turn-by-turn directions including street names
-has many features & configuration options to suit your needs (detour, avoid toll roads, reduce turns, etc)
-has four viewing angles (one 2D view and three different 3D views). I use the middle 3D view.. looks just like TomTom ;)
-comes with 3 versions on 1 DVD (laptop, carPC/UMPC, and pocketPC). you can activate any 2 versions at the same time.

IMO iGuidance is the best PC GPS software you can buy. I researched different software and in the end there was no comparison, iGuidance beat them all when it came to the nice display, easy interface, and text-to-speech voice guidance. Micro$oft streets&trips is better at trip planning, but it's garbage when it comes to turn-by-turn directions.

the only real downside is the price. at $100 it's not cheap, but IMO it's worth it. anyone who buys it won't regret it.

it runs smooth on my 650MHz P3 carPC with 392MB PC100 RAM, so it should run just as good or better on the eee. I haven't tried it yet, but I've read that it runs good under WINE for Linux.

:D