New Gadget

04crewvt · Post by **04crewvt** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:14 am

Ok so I had to get my newest gadget in this weekend. After Brules lightbar I had to do something

This is a combination Presonal Video Player/GPS Navigation System. It runs on Windows CE and includes 20GB hard disk, MP3/MP4 audio/video playback, it is a Windows mass storage device/external hard drive,it has a compact flash slot and can be used as extra storage for my digital camera. It will do audio recordings and best of all comes with a GPS compact flash card with external antenna and car mounting kit to turn it into a touch screen vehicle navigation system.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:27 am

Any web sites for more information? Cost?

You win

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:27 am

Very cool, Brian. I like

I have a couple of questions though.

1. How is it mounted to the dash?
2. Doesn't your luggage rack cut out a few satellites. I have mine mounted flat on my dash next to the windshield. Some GM windshield coatings do cause distortion though.

04crewvt · Post by **04crewvt** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:38 am

I picked it up through Tiger Direct $254.99. It mounts to the windshield with a suction cup bracket and has a 12v power plug I ran just under the top of the dash trim ring and down to the power ports. The luggage rack shouldn't interfere much and if it does I have 2 or more extra feet of cable I can work with to get it mounted in a better location. I just finished installing it today so other than testing it in the driveay I haven't yet seen how it works it has voice navigation and 2d/3d maps using NaveMate software and maps of US and Canada preloaded.

04crewvt · Post by **04crewvt** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:40 am

Oh! and with the RCA out feature I can take the screen data and output it to my 8in console monitor.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 11:08 am

Bin, oh yeah, I didn't think about the BIN

I feel so stupid

04crewvt · Post by **04crewvt** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 11:33 am

Bin? oh! that's 8" 8inch monitor. Sorry for any confusion.

Probably misplaced the reading glasses -HJ

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 11:44 am

04crewvt wrote:Bin? oh! that's 8" 8inch monitor. Sorry for any confusion.

Probably misplaced the reading glasses -HJ

I wear bifocal contacts, thank you very much

Mrs. Hoff and I have many "throw down" Dr Walmart" reading glasses scattered through out the house and our vehicles

If, you don't have them yet, you soon will

04crewvt · Post by **04crewvt** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 11:48 am

Well I won't need reading glasses anytime soon since I can't see anything beyond about a foot without my current glasses anyway, any closer than that and I can see just fine without my glasses for all that that is worth. I am one of those types that can never take my glasses off and put them down without being absolutly sure of where I put them or I might not ever find them again.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 11:56 am

I was referring to Brule's comment, Brian.

And actually I was wearing my glasses today when I saw Bin and not 8in. They were just dirty from when I was under the crew performing fixes that were needed to be done due of my stupidity

04crewvt · Post by **04crewvt** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:00 pm

I hate working under the truck this time of year. When it gets cold my glasses fog up and I can't see anything with or without the dumb things. As for dirty glasses I am a compulsive lens cleaner, I hate smudges and carry lens cloths with me everywhere.

BADs Crew · Post by **BADs Crew** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:01 pm

Nice.

I love my NAV System for long trips.

04crewvt · Post by **04crewvt** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:05 pm

Well it really hit home that it was time to get one when I finished the trail run a couple of weeks back. I had mapquested getting to the meeting point from where I was staying but when we got off the trail 7 or so hours later I had no idea how to get back to where I was staying. Luckly someone had a map and after figuring out where we were we were able to figure out where I needed to go to get home. The guy with the gps hit a few buttons and was out of there in 5 minutes or less.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:36 pm

Does it cover some of the rather remote trails?
Or is it primarily road navagation? Does it have a battery for operation, or back-up?

This might be an afordable solution for those who have not yet invested in GPS nav.

04crewvt · Post by **04crewvt** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:50 pm

This has a rechargable battery and a trail mode for hiking/wilderness use. it comes with a/c adapter for house, 12v for car. It may not be be the best at any one thing but it does a lot of things for the money. I will have to see how it performs over the next week or so and let you all know what I think.

04crewvt · Post by **04crewvt** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:14 am

Took it out for the first test drive today. Seems to work well but looking on the web site it looks like the software is a bit outdated. The maps are 2004 which is the latest they have avalible and it says it maps roads with over 500 people on them so not sure how good it will be in the outer reaches of civilization. I would like to see if I can upgrade to a better software package and still use the same receiver (yup had the thing 2 days and already looking to hack the program).

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 4:07 pm

2004 maps are not too bad. They are not updated nearly as fast as roads can be built.
A topo or recreation mapping program would be nice. It might include some of the more remote trails.

I am sure that the receiver could be used with other mapping programs.

DeLorme's latest version of Street Atlas has a handheld export. It may be an option?

Maybe Ozi Explorer? I may require more processor power though?