Cell Phone + GPS Capability - Need Ideas

Hello! I am very new to the cell phone world and would like to have
the benefits of a cell phone combined with GPS navigation (voice
driven - "turn left here") technology. Although, I do have a budget
and I could be constrained by various network providers
up here in Canada. Can anyone recommend to me
which models could give me this type of combined technology
and features at a reasonable price and that is widely
accessible. I would like GPS for North America and
possibly Europe.

Thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing from you!

Kreiner K. wrote:
> Hello! I am very new to the cell phone world and would like to have
> the benefits of a cell phone combined with GPS navigation (voice
> driven - "turn left here") technology. Although, I do have a budget
> and I could be constrained by various network providers
> up here in Canada. Can anyone recommend to me
> which models could give me this type of combined technology
> and features at a reasonable price and that is widely
> accessible. I would like GPS for North America and
> possibly Europe.
>
> Thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing from you!

I use a Garmin 60cs waterproof /shock resistant handheld for hiking
and for car use. It has programable beeps for turns or a text
directions menu, but there is no voice guide. Garmin offer many levels
of products from Palm type to talking built in units. Garmin supports
their products like no other device manufacturer I have ever dealt
with. They constantly update software and offer free downloads with new
capabilities, even for very old gps units. Their warranty and repair
work is stellar. Some people prefer Magellan units though.
I met a guy wanting to buy their cheapest, tiny Gecko GPSr ~$100, so he
could find his way back to the hotel, while traveling overseas. Turn
by turn models are really handy when driving to a new location. I use
mine all the time to get too new job sites. Added voice, bigger color
displays and mapping software and more storage, can get expensive and
complicated.

http://www.garmin.com/

This forum is part of a Geocaching specific community, but they know a
great deal about various GPS units and software.

http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showforum=11

I don't think combining a GPS and cell phone is a practicle idea for
someone who might drop or be rough on equipment. One good cell phone
and one good GPSr offer flexibility in features and performance you
won't find on a do all model.
Phone wise, You want probably want a GSM worldphone for travel in
Europe and North America but a CDMA/analog phone for traveling in rural
parts of North America. GSM is getting much better, rapidly in the
states, but rural coverage is lacking. That's a problem on picking just
one cellular GPS combo.

Personally, I'd look for an unlocked world phone and analog/CDMA (or
analog/TDMA) phone (one or the other prepaid) for the cellular side and
perhaps a handheld gps with built in maping capability. If one is
careful with the more delicate handheld equipment, then the Palm/Pocket
PC devices with GPS sw and antenna, appear to have a great deal of
functionality in a small package.
Looks kind of fiddley, complicated and easy to break to me, but I
haven't used one. Little buttons and external antennas can be a
challenge while navigating on a small device. Larger color screens are
very helpful. The more map storage space onboard, the better.

Nextel seems to be the only current cellular carrier in North American
with integrated GPS/handset. Nextel coverage is limited to urban amd
highway coverage.
http://www.nextel.com/en/services/gps/gps.shtml
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/artic...,115273,00.asp

Nokia has/will have? a GPS sleeve that fits on a GSM 5140 phone.
Some of the functionality apparently comes over the GSM cellular
network and some information comes from the *standalone GPS receiver.
Sounds like an extra charge might be involved in added carrier supplied
functionality?

The Travel Guide application works over the GSM network to access maps,
route guidance and point of interest data.
Waypoints
Don't forget where you came to that scenic vista, stunning waterfall,
or incredible bakery - save interesting places as waypoints. Waypoint
coordinates are stored in the phone's memory and can be accessed by
both GPS and Travel Guide applications. And when you want to share a
special spot or have a friend join you, you can send waypoints as SMS
messages.
Route Guidance
Find your way to a particular waypoint, address, or point of interest
with route guidance in the Travel Guide Service application. Route
guidance takes your location and shows you possible routes to your
destination, provides you with an itinerary, and updates your location
on a map.
Points of Interest
Want to find a restaurant nearby, or maybe a nice overlook? Points of
interest can be looked up in the Travel Guide application, giving you a
head's up into a particular area. Points of interest are organized in
categories like restaurants, hotels, and golf courses - so you can
easily find a point that interests you. Points of interest can be
looked up alphabetically, by category, or by proximity to your
location.
Maps
Maps viewed with Travel Guide are accessed online, over-the-air, so
that you get the latest available map. Zoom in for street name details,
or zoom out to get a broader view of the region. A one-year
subscription to a regional map package is included with the Nokia
Xpress-on™ GPS shell.


*The GPS functions in the Xpress-on™ GPS shell are supported by a
network of satellites to provide location information and route
guidance - no GSM network coverage is necessary.
Trip Computer
Ever wonder how much ground you've covered, and how quickly? The trip
computer keeps track of current and accumulated trip data, like course,
speed, elevation, distance, and time. You can customize the view to see
the combination of fields you choose.
Waypoints
Don't forget where you found that scenic vista, stunning waterfall, or
incredible bakery - save interesting places as waypoints. Waypoint
coordinates are stored in the phone's memory and can be accessed by
both GPS and Travel Guide applications. And when you want to share a
special spot or have a friend join you, you can send waypoints as SMS
messages to a compatible Nokia phone.
Route Guidance
Find your way to a particular waypoint with the GPS application route
guidance function. Route guidance uses a rotating compass (on your
phone's screen) with four directional descriptions - North, East,
South, and West - and an arrow that shows the bearing to the next
waypoint.
Tracking and Return Track
With Tracking and Return Track, you won't need to leave a trail of
bread crumbs to find your way out of the forest. Tracking helps you
keep a record of your journey by recording points that you pass
through. When it's time to go home, Return Track uses those recorded
points to guide you back to your original position.



I don't know anyting about the Pocket PC version of GPS mapping
software. Requires an external antenna and probably not something you
want to drop, which I always seem to do carrying my handheld around in
the field.
http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/copilot-live-ppc-5-na.php
http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/copilot-live-ppc-5.php

-
David

Thanks very much for your detailed response. As a newbie, I greatly
appreciate it! I was looking at the Garmin site today and noted
the IQue M3 (hopefully available for Canadians). What interested me
was not only the GPS driving instructions with accompanied audio
prompts, but also the many features related to e-mail, msging, and
office applications. My first question to you is how does the e-mail
system work? Is it free as it goes through the GPS system and one
only needs their local ISP address to access e-mail? Am I missing
something as it seems like a very cost effective way to navigate the
web, msg and send e-mail. Please advise. Also, once internet phone
(Sykpe - sp) comes into greater existence, one could possibly use this
device as a phone. If I am right on my thinking, this type of system
compares very favorably to a RIM Blackberry machine as there are no
data roaming costs per month. Please let me know what you think the
major differences are between the two systems other than the built in
phone. Finally, how easy is it to use the MS Excel, Word and other
applications within the system? Is the keyboard easy to use?
How light and compact is the machine? Is it slimmer than a Blackberry?

Your thought, insights and perspectives are much appreciated.

Thanks again!



On 6 Aug 2005 22:40:05 -0700, "David L" <davlindi@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Kreiner K. wrote:
>> Hello! I am very new to the cell phone world and would like to have
>> the benefits of a cell phone combined with GPS navigation (voice
>> driven - "turn left here") technology. Although, I do have a budget
>> and I could be constrained by various network providers
>> up here in Canada. Can anyone recommend to me
>> which models could give me this type of combined technology
>> and features at a reasonable price and that is widely
>> accessible. I would like GPS for North America and
>> possibly Europe.
>>
>> Thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing from you!
>
>I use a Garmin 60cs waterproof /shock resistant handheld for hiking
>and for car use. It has programable beeps for turns or a text
>directions menu, but there is no voice guide. Garmin offer many levels
>of products from Palm type to talking built in units. Garmin supports
>their products like no other device manufacturer I have ever dealt
>with. They constantly update software and offer free downloads with new
>capabilities, even for very old gps units. Their warranty and repair
>work is stellar. Some people prefer Magellan units though.
>I met a guy wanting to buy their cheapest, tiny Gecko GPSr ~$100, so he
>could find his way back to the hotel, while traveling overseas. Turn
>by turn models are really handy when driving to a new location. I use
>mine all the time to get too new job sites. Added voice, bigger color
>displays and mapping software and more storage, can get expensive and
>complicated.
>
>http://www.garmin.com/
>
>This forum is part of a Geocaching specific community, but they know a
>great deal about various GPS units and software.
>
>http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showforum=11
>
>I don't think combining a GPS and cell phone is a practicle idea for
>someone who might drop or be rough on equipment. One good cell phone
>and one good GPSr offer flexibility in features and performance you
>won't find on a do all model.
>Phone wise, You want probably want a GSM worldphone for travel in
>Europe and North America but a CDMA/analog phone for traveling in rural
>parts of North America. GSM is getting much better, rapidly in the
>states, but rural coverage is lacking. That's a problem on picking just
>one cellular GPS combo.
>
>Personally, I'd look for an unlocked world phone and analog/CDMA (or
>analog/TDMA) phone (one or the other prepaid) for the cellular side and
>perhaps a handheld gps with built in maping capability. If one is
>careful with the more delicate handheld equipment, then the Palm/Pocket
>PC devices with GPS sw and antenna, appear to have a great deal of
>functionality in a small package.
>Looks kind of fiddley, complicated and easy to break to me, but I
>haven't used one. Little buttons and external antennas can be a
>challenge while navigating on a small device. Larger color screens are
>very helpful. The more map storage space onboard, the better.
>
>Nextel seems to be the only current cellular carrier in North American
>with integrated GPS/handset. Nextel coverage is limited to urban amd
>highway coverage.
>http://www.nextel.com/en/services/gps/gps.shtml
>http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/artic...,115273,00.asp
>
>Nokia has/will have? a GPS sleeve that fits on a GSM 5140 phone.
> Some of the functionality apparently comes over the GSM cellular
>network and some information comes from the *standalone GPS receiver.
>Sounds like an extra charge might be involved in added carrier supplied
>functionality?
>
>The Travel Guide application works over the GSM network to access maps,
>route guidance and point of interest data.
>Waypoints
>Don't forget where you came to that scenic vista, stunning waterfall,
>or incredible bakery - save interesting places as waypoints. Waypoint
>coordinates are stored in the phone's memory and can be accessed by
>both GPS and Travel Guide applications. And when you want to share a
>special spot or have a friend join you, you can send waypoints as SMS
>messages.
>Route Guidance
>Find your way to a particular waypoint, address, or point of interest
>with route guidance in the Travel Guide Service application. Route
>guidance takes your location and shows you possible routes to your
>destination, provides you with an itinerary, and updates your location
>on a map.
>Points of Interest
>Want to find a restaurant nearby, or maybe a nice overlook? Points of
>interest can be looked up in the Travel Guide application, giving you a
>head's up into a particular area. Points of interest are organized in
>categories like restaurants, hotels, and golf courses - so you can
>easily find a point that interests you. Points of interest can be
>looked up alphabetically, by category, or by proximity to your
>location.
>Maps
>Maps viewed with Travel Guide are accessed online, over-the-air, so
>that you get the latest available map. Zoom in for street name details,
>or zoom out to get a broader view of the region. A one-year
>subscription to a regional map package is included with the Nokia
>Xpress-on™ GPS shell.
>
>
>*The GPS functions in the Xpress-on™ GPS shell are supported by a
>network of satellites to provide location information and route
>guidance - no GSM network coverage is necessary.
>Trip Computer
>Ever wonder how much ground you've covered, and how quickly? The trip
>computer keeps track of current and accumulated trip data, like course,
>speed, elevation, distance, and time. You can customize the view to see
>the combination of fields you choose.
>Waypoints
>Don't forget where you found that scenic vista, stunning waterfall, or
>incredible bakery - save interesting places as waypoints. Waypoint
>coordinates are stored in the phone's memory and can be accessed by
>both GPS and Travel Guide applications. And when you want to share a
>special spot or have a friend join you, you can send waypoints as SMS
>messages to a compatible Nokia phone.
>Route Guidance
>Find your way to a particular waypoint with the GPS application route
>guidance function. Route guidance uses a rotating compass (on your
>phone's screen) with four directional descriptions - North, East,
>South, and West - and an arrow that shows the bearing to the next
>waypoint.
>Tracking and Return Track
>With Tracking and Return Track, you won't need to leave a trail of
>bread crumbs to find your way out of the forest. Tracking helps you
>keep a record of your journey by recording points that you pass
>through. When it's time to go home, Return Track uses those recorded
>points to guide you back to your original position.
>
>
>
>I don't know anyting about the Pocket PC version of GPS mapping
>software. Requires an external antenna and probably not something you
>want to drop, which I always seem to do carrying my handheld around in
>the field.
>http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/copilot-live-ppc-5-na.php
>http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/copilot-live-ppc-5.php
>
>-
>David

GPS satellite signals are totally seperate from cellular. GPS signals
are free to recieve. The hardware and specialized versions of the
software to display the satlelite signals are not. But there is no
monthly fee to use the GPS signals once the GPS receiver is purchased.
Portable smart devices is not my area of expertise, at all...but
somehow you have to connect your device to a cellular provider and pay
a monthly fee , using a cellphone or "air card" to receive mobile
access to email and the internet. There's faster data connections
becoming available, like EVDO, along with higher prices.
Either attach the display handheld device (or laptop) to a cellphone
through a cable or or bluetooth transfer. Laptops use a plug in card
and antenna for mobile data access.

You can get more info from these links..

Wireless data and Internet 
http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

Smartphones / PDAs / Handheld Computers
http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37

Howardforums
http://howardforums.com/index.php?
Smartphone/PDA Forums
http://howardforums.com/forumdisplay...176Sub-Forums:
Smartphone/PDA Forums

Once you find a device or cell phone, make sure the carrier offering
mobile web has good coverage where you travel. I like to check out
user reviews on Phonescoop to see what other people have to say about
their experiences using a device or cell phone. For example the Treo
seems to be a very "hot" device these days....

Treo650 Smartphone
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/use....php?phone=637