Holux GM270 with Mapopolis 4 mapping software on pocket pc2003
Written: Nov 26 '03 (Updated Feb 05 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very simple to operate, dependable, GPS support, perfect for the perpetually lost.
Cons: Maps sometimes a bit behind the times and you pay for every update
The Bottom Line: A mapping gps setup for your pda runs in the $300 range. Much cheaper than car units. Great for anyone that travels or just needs navigation help.
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| suemccartin's Full Review: Misc Compact Flash GPS solution for Pocket PC inc ... |
I assume this section was created by epinions as a catch all for gps mapping applications that run on a microsoft pocket pc handheld computer or pda.
I have already specifically reviewed the Holux GM 270 on epinions so I won't waste a lot of space talking about the gps unit itself, just its operation along with mapping applications that supply voice directions and automatic rerouting.
What do I need a package like this for?
I for one, find a great deal of use for mapping gps software. My group of friends enjoys going camping and we often pick some pretty remote campgrounds in obscure little towns in Florida. While the campgrounds themselves are often not on the pda maps, the lakes that they are around or the tiny berg towns that grow up nearby do exist on the maps. I also use my setup to find my way around the City of Tampa whose street system makes positively no sense to someone used to the almost logical streets and avenue system used in my home area of St. Petersburg. A good mapping gps software package will allow you to set a start point, then search for a street address and set it as your destination and take you at the very least to the right block (with some packages right to the very door).
What do I need to run a mapping gps package?
First you of course need a handheld computer or PDA(personal digital assistant) that runs the Microsoft Pocket PC operating system. You may have heard of Windows CE, Pocket PC is just another name for a newer version of Windows CE and recently Microsoft has changed the name again to Windows Mobile. If possible, stick with a machine that has pocket pc2002 or Windows Mobile 2003 as it will probably be the most supported by current software packages (mobile 2004 is due out next year-2004). (Microsoft is NOT really working to maintain compatibility with this operating system so a package for an older OS will not necessarily work properly on a newer version of it.) A machine with 32 meg ram and 32 meg rom is about the minimum that will properly run a map package in my opinion. A machine with both CF and SD memory slots (not necessarily both IO slots) is also desireable so you can have the storage necessary for more than one set of maps at a time.
Even though the software may claim that it can run in less resources, many people who try to use it on a lesser machine have nothing but complaints about performance. Relatively new pda machines that have been out for two years or less will have 64 meg of ram and 32 or 48 meg of ROM. The newest PDAs released by HP/Compaq and Toshiba in 2003 have 128 meg of ram, as much as some basic desktop machines; this of course would be the best choice if you can afford the premium prices.
The next consideration is PDA processor speed, a 200 mhz processor will run your map software properly but when doing such intensive calculations as a re-route or a search for a particular street or house number you will be glad you went ahead and got a faster cpu. I can see a quite noticeable difference between my old pda's 200 mhz cpu and my new Dell Axim's 400 mhz cpu when searching for road names or doing a re-route when I miss a turn.
GPS Unit:
There are many types of gps unit that can function with a pda based mapping package. If you already own a newer handheld gps unit you may be able to purchase an interface cable that will let your existing unit communicate with the pda & map package (usually connects via the sync port on the pda and a special plug on the gps unit itself).
Another option for a pda that has a compact flash (CF)IO or Secure Digital(SD)IO slot is a gps unit that is designed to plug into one of those slots and run from the pda or handheld computer's internal battery. One advantage to this type of GPS is that often the manufacturer will provide a desktop windows driver for the product so it can be used on a laptop with the proper adapter (usually via the pcmcia slot that most laptops still have). The Holux GM270 CFIO GPS unit is an example of a compact flash based GPS unit, this unit has a great reputation and is on the lower priced end for gps units of its type (the manufacturer provides a windows driver for this product).
Yet another option is a "mouse gps unit" that is designed primarily for vehicle operation because it doesn't have its own power supply and must plug into your 12V cigarette lighter or be hard wired into the vehicle's fuse box; mouse gps are a cabled gps. Last but not least are gps units that communicate with your pda via the bluetooth shortrange networking standard. Some pda's come with bluetooth built-in, while others would need a bluetooth interface card in their SD or CF slot to add the bluetooth capabilities. The big advantage to a bluetooth GPS is that it does not need to be tethered to your pda by wires and can be placed anywhere to obtain the best reception. Bluetooth enabled gps units usually have their own internal battery.
A GPS unit's price is generally determined by its accuracy and internal electronics or chipset (they have a cpu and a small amount of memory to store satellite positions). Most gps units have something like a 20ft error rate because of the way it triangulates your position. Some more expensive units get down to the ten foot range. Of course, a unit trying to operate in a moving vehicle will not be as accurate as when the unit is moving at walking speeds.
You may come across some gps units that are marketed as "dual mode" units. This is pretty new, apparently a dual mode gps has a special operating mode specifically designed to be able to do more calculations with a weak signal and keep operating under conditions when most other gps units cannot (the only dual mode unit I've seen for sale has two different chipsets). The high sensitivity mode is much slower than normal mode and not suited for use in a car moving at highway speeds but works great for a hiker or a biker in difficult reception areas such as in a mountain valley or under heavy foliage (basically anyplace the sky is obstructed heavily).
Additional storage:
While the software itself doesn't take up a great deal of storage on your pda, the maps will. For many packages a whole state's worth of maps can be over 28 meg which doesn't leave much room for your package to run if you only have a 32/32 pda. Most pda's have either a CF or SD slot, sometimes both. I have a 256 Meg SD card that will carry at least 4-5 sets of maps, the program and some miscellaenous games and other stuff so it doesn't clog up my main memory.
Mapping Software:
When considering your software it is important to be aware of which OS your particular chosen machine has loaded on it. If you bought a pda with windows mobile 2003 don't assume that software written for pc2002 will work properly on it; in fact it probably won't. Update policies are a big consideration when picking your software. Pocket pc software makers like to stick their hands out for more money with every operating system update and mapping packages are no exception. Generally the folks that sell their packages for hundreds of dollars are much more responsible about free or low-cost software updates than those packages that only cost in the fifty dollar range.
Maps:
Be aware, when you purchase a mapping package you generally are entitled to ONE and only one set of maps from a particular release date. This is true even with "download all you want" subscriptions that go for a year--if any new maps are released during your year subscription, you are generally NOT entitled to those new maps until you pay again. Yeah, sounds like a scam to me too but this is apparently how the mapping companies such as Navtech and others charge for their products; even when their product is flawed and incorrect you still get to pay again for the new ones.
Extra stuff:
If you're planning to use your setup in a vehicle you'll need some kind of mount to hold it where it can see the sky and keep it from falling on the floor. The windshield is the best place to mount your unit in most vehicles but there are many other options available especially if you have the luxury of an external antenna for your gps. External antennas greatly expand your mounting options as you don't have to worry quite so much about whether the gps unit itself can "see" the sky. External antennas usually have a magnetic base and can be stuck to the roof of the car with the cable running to your gps (just be sure it's waterproof if it starts to rain!). I very much like the RAM line of mounting products carried by gpscity.com these mounts are modular and the pieces are fully interchangeable so you can start with a windshield mount and just buy one piece to make it a motorcycle mount later. Other considerations are power related, my Axim has an extended battery available that allows for 10-12 hours of use (the gps doesn't affect the life much but having the screen active does). For a vehicle you might want to consider a 12 Volt DC adapter for your pda that runs off your cigarette lighter, these can be obtained pretty cheap on ebay.
The mapping packages:
There are currently about a 8 mapping packages that run on pocket pc, each has their own strengths and weaknesses, which one you choose is largely personal choice--and of course budget! Some offer voice prompts while others only draw your route for you on the map and give you text directions. Some of the more expensive packages offer both a version for your pda and for your desktop or laptop machine. Mapopolis Navigator, Tom Tom Navigator and Routis are probably the three most discussed packages as of this moment. There are several forums where you can ask questions about the package you are considering www.aximsite.com has a gps section as well as www.gpspassion.com and if you search on "gps forums" in google you'll find a lot more.
My personal favorite at this time is Mapopolis Navigator, in terms of ease of use, map setup, and accurate city data it is considered a very good package. Mapopolis Navigator runs on Palm OS or pocket pc 2003(different versions of course) and offers voice prompts and automatic rerouting if you miss a turn. Mapopolis doesn't have some of the fancy "blocked route avoidance" functions of tom tom navigator but it also doesn't require a pc to setup your maps like some packages do and they seem to be adding a bit more functionality with every release. Mapopolis releases new software versions practically every month, they are very "on top" of problems with their product and making it even better.
Mapopolis 3 and 4:
The most current version of Mapopolis Navigator is version 4. Mapopolis distributes the Navigator software free of charge, it's the maps they charge you for. You can download the software and a sample "limited life map," to try it out before you purchase it.
Mapopolis Navigator version 4 is similar to 3 but quite different. Version 4 uses a different mapset, has a somewhat redesigned interface, a compass readout, the ability to load frequently used maps into ram for faster access, "toll road avoidance" functions and integration with mapopolis's new ClearRoute fee based service that will give you up-to-the-minute traffic jam information (you must have wireless internet service-such as over a cell phone or via a wireless access point to use this). I've never used this new service but it supposedly somehow integrates with the mapopolis mapping package to route you around traffic jams based on up to the minute traffic information downloaded from their server.
Please note: Mapopolis 3 does NOT work correctly under windows mobile 2003 and the maps are not the same as those for version 4 so be careful when purchasing this product from anyplace but mapopolis themselves www.mapopolis.com. I don't think mapopolis even has the old version on their site any longer but I could be wrong on that. Semsons (www.semsons.com) offers the Navigator package along with several different models of GPS unit for fair price and they also put on some good sales at times.
Places of Interest (POI):
Some mapping packages include places of interest on their maps such as gas stations, restaurants, tourist attractions, etc. Mapopolis sells their "POI" package separately. Some major tourist attractions, schools, hospitals, State/County Parks and campsites are on the mapopolis maps but not gas stations, shopping or restaurants. If you find a particular spot that you want to return to later you can add a landmark to your map and return to that spot whenever you wish by setting it as your destination. (These added landmarks create a separate file in the map directory that can be shared with other users of this product.)
Software setup:
With your desktop machine running, put your pda in the sync cradle (wait for activesync to finish screwing around) and then startup the mapopolis installer. The installer should automatically see the pda and ask you where you want to install the software. Mapopolis, unlike some packages of this type, is perfectly content to run from a memory card, it doesn't have to reside in your pda's ram in order to work properly. When installing, you will be given the option to store the program in the default location (system memory) or store it on a storage card.
Fortunately my Dell Axim X5 Advanced pda has both CF and SD slots, the CF slot is taken up by my gps when in use so I store my maps and the mapopolis software on a SD 256 Meg storage card. Again, unlike some other programs, you can manually load maps on your pda storage card using a desktop computer card reader/writer(I usually name the folder by the state maps that are inside it) and mapopolis will have no problem finding the maps and using them (i.e. you don't have to use a special map loader or put the maps only in folders with specific names).
What maps should I load?
Mapopolis, unlike some other packages, names their maps by county not city. So you will need a reference, like a paper atlas, in order to know what county the city you're traveling to is located within. This is one thing about this package that everyone complains about, perhaps they'll come out with some kind of quick reference program that will let you figure this out more easily. On a 64/32 pda you should have no problems simply loading up an entire state's maps (then you don't have to know what county the city is in either-you can simply search for it and mark it as your destination or add it to your favorites to set as destination later). Having more maps than you need loaded will slow down searches but at least on my machine the search is not intolerably slow (less than two minutes if a whole state is loaded).
Mapopolis 3 had some kind of "population limitation" I don't know if this has been fixed or changed in 4. If the state is too populous you won't be able to load an entire state's maps at once. The only time I ever saw this error was in Texas but the program still functioned properly. Mapopolis "dynamically" loads up the maps it needs as you travel down the road, so in most situations all you have to do is have the whole state's maps available and mapopolis will do its thing by itself.
A trip that crosses state lines:
Mapopolis because of the way it loads maps dynamically, sometimes runs into memory limitations if your trip is going to take you across state lines. I had this problem on my old 32/32 pda, I haven't had a chance to see what they've done to improve it in version 4 or if it'll be less of a problem with my new pda with more memory.
To sooth this issue mapopolis has a special set of state maps that includes only major traffic arteries. To setup a trip that crosses state lines you put the major highway maps for each state(s) in a folder by itself (or load only those into ram) and then only put the individual starting and ending counties in that folder with the major road maps.
Controlling which maps are loaded:
Mapopolis 3 and 4 have a map option on the menu that will list the maps. You can control which maps are loaded by clearing the check box that searches all folders and by only selecting the folder that you want it to use. You can also control which maps are always stored in ram with version 4.
Using Mapopolis to go someplace:
I'm assuming you're using a gps. First select GPS and the start button, mapopolis will search for the gps. (If its a CFIO or SDIO gps, mapopolis will set the com port and baud rate. On some pda's you may have to manually set the proper com port and leave it at 4800 baud. A CF/SD gps is seen as a serial modem by your pda.)When it has found the gps, tap the start button so it can begin triangulating your position. (Unless you update the software, the next time you use mapopolis it will remember the gps settings.) There are three types of start on a gps unit, cold, warm and hot(aka snapstart). My Holux CF unit usually cold starts in under two minutes, it's important that you are stationary and the gps has a good view of the sky for the initial start.
Basic controls:
If using a gps that has properly started up the mapopolis screen will show your current position. Under the tools menu on the left you will find the settings selection that will let you customize the way your maps appear or create your own small maplets with locations that don't appear on the maps (these files can be shared with other mapopolis software owners), you can turn on/off city names, the information that is in the navigation box, gps trails (where you've been) and a few other goodies. (there's lots here, you just have to play with the trial version)
Next to the tools menu selection are what looks like 4 tiny magnifying glasses, these are your zoom controls the first zooms in generally, the second allows you to select a boxed area to zoom on the third zooms out and the fourth zooms out X2. Next to the zoom controls is a triangular shape with N in it, with this icon you can change the orientation of the map if you prefer to have another direction at the top of the map. Next to the orientation icon are plus and minus sign icons, this adds or removes detail from the map, this is intended to make it easier to see the major road by removing the city names and smaller streets from the view, there are several levels of plus and minus information depending upon which map and the zoom level. At the far right is a icon that looks a bit like a signpost and when tapped creates a popup menu with "find place," "find gps," "find intersection," "find contact" and below those options also lists locations stored as a favorite.
Operation:
I find this program fairly self explanatory to use and there are often multiple ways to access the function you want to use (which is the hallmark of good programming if you ask me). After the gps is going, when you want to setup a trip you select navigate. The software will pop up a box asking for the start and end points of your trip (there is a hot button below each box). You can use the current gps position as your start point (this is what I use the most). The destination can be set in one of several ways depending upon what is easiest for you. You can search for your destination, use an address from your outlook contacts (the address book built into pc 2003 syncs with the desktop version of microsoft outlook), find it on the map yourself and set the destination, or use a previously set "favorite" location. Once you have set a start and endpoint you will get a popup window with your first set of directions and an accompanying voice prompt.
The mapopolis voice prompts can be set to activate at whatever interval you like, it doesn't talk to you constantly if all you are doing is driving on a long road such as a long distance on a highway (but you can set it to yell at you if you go too fast--gee the backseat driver hangs on the windshield now ;-)). I set mine to activate about a minute before I have to make a turn and it will automatically start speaking when you get within a few hundred feet of your turn--no matter how you have it set.
The program's speach (male only for the moment-but someone has apparently created a third party application that lets you customize the voice)is clearly understandable over the built in speaker of my Dell Axim. If your car is too noisey with road noise and/or the kids won't shut up, you can also purchase a "FM transmitter gadget" that will transmit the output from your pda's headphone jack over your car stereo. Examples of voice prompts are: "left turn 500 feet ahead," then as you continue toward your turn, "left turn 250 feet ahead," then as you approach the turn, "left turn next." When you must merge onto a highway onramp it will say something like "left turn ramp 500 feet ahead." If you are driving on a road that splits or just curves considerably it will say "slight right 500 feet ahead" and display a graphic that shows the multiple forks in the road and which you should take.
Unlike some of the packages such as Tom Tom Navigator, you never get more than a zoomed in overhead view. Tom Tom Navigator offers a 3D bird's eye view mode that actually shows which side of the road you should be on for your turn (but that program is also a whole bunch more money than Mapopolis). Mapopolis repeats the voice instructions in text by displaying a window with a arrow showing the direction of the turn and the name of the road you are turning on. The name of the road is not spoken by the program, you have to take your eyes off the road to read this information off the pda screen. When nearing your destination the program will say something such as "destination 500 feet ahead."
Accuracy?
As I said previously, most gps units have a varying amount of error just because of the way it must triangulate your position using satellites that are thousands of miles away. Adding highway speeds to that equation can sometimes mean missing turns that are very close together; such as within a cloverleaf situation. From most accounts, Mapopolis is one of the better programs at handling the "cloverleaf error." Because mapopolis navigator automatically re-routes if you miss a turn, it's generally not that big of a deal if you miss an off ramp. I used mapopolis to go all over New Mexico, while that state doesn't have cloverleafs, it does have a lot of tiny little county roads that intersect and take off in all directions. Only once or twice did I miss a turn because they were very close together. The program will promptly tell you to "turn around" if the new route is a dead end.
Route through? Avoid toll roads?
Mapopolis is pretty automatic about the way it picks your route it offers two main choices, most direct, or quickest. Mapopolis 4 also offers the "route-through" and "avoid toll roads" options. If there was a particular town you wanted to drive through on your way someplace else you can pick that town as a point you want it to plan your route through. Avoid toll roads is self-explanatory, it will avoid any road for which you have to pay a toll to drive on it.
Overall impression:
Considering that vehicle based gps systems cost well over a thousand dollars I think this little gadget is a reasonably priced technological marvel. The biggest difference between a vehicle system and a externally based package is that a vehicle based system can use "dead-reckoning" to guess where you are based on speed and compass direction at times when the gps signal isn't available (such as inside a tunnel or in a city with tall buildings that may block the gps signal reception). If you've ever priced a rental car with a gps in it they want something like $20.00 a day extra just for the privilege of having the gps (and you usually have to upgrade to a bigger vehicle as well)! I bought my setup at semsons.com, it was about $214.00 for the holux gps and a less sophisticated mapping package (platinum plus) also made by mapopolis that didn't have the voice synthesis or the auto re-routing capabilities. Mapopolis was very good about letting me upgrade to Navigator for only the price difference, so the true total ended up being more like $265.00. The gps unit and the pda are the most expensive parts of this setup but if you already have a pda for other uses it still ends up being way cheaper than what a dedicated vehicle gps unit would cost and its also portable which the vehicle unit can't do at all.
More on the maps:
Navtech produces the maps that mapopolis navigator uses, this company is considered one of the better map suppliers but I still find missing streets and bridges on the maps that have existed for over a year and that to me seems strange that they aren't on my pda maps but are on the internet Yahoo maps which also uses navtech data. When I was in New Mexico I ran into one major road that is in reality a dirt road and mapopolis tried to route me over that (just drove by till it rerouted and kept me on a paved road). Apparently to some extent, mapopolis has some control over what is on the maps they use and I'm certain they probably have to pick and choose at times because of file size considerations. Some pda packages do not show lakes and rivers, the mapopolis maps do. As I said before I took this setup all over North Texas and New Mexico and it worked perfectly except for one small problem where it wasn't seeing a scenic road that was listed on their map and on my paper map (mapopolis couldn't find me till I hit the city at the end of that road--it didn't appear to be able to find the proper map to load). I reported the problem to Mapopolis and worked with their tech for several days to find the problem(but I don't know if it was something with their programming or with navtech's maps).
Searches:
In searching for a road I find that sometimes you must know alternate names for the road as there doesn't seem to be very much consistency in naming conventions. Example: a road that is known both as martin luther king street & 9th street, (and may also have a state and/or federal road designation) may only be listed one way on the map database and you have to figure out which way it is in the database before you can find it with a search. When using a contact as a destination, again, the way you have the address written out very much affects whether it can find the address--sometimes you have to play with it as to whether North, South, etc. is abbreviated or written out (and also determine whether it might be in the database under the state or federal designation). I find the best way to use search is to input only several letters of the road name and then find it in the dropdown list that will appear for all roads containing those letters or numbers.
Miscellaneous goodies:
Mapopolis 4 has a log function that will let you record your trip, this can be useful for several things, including finding a problem with the gps or the program. I've found the add location feature very useful. I've marked some of the campgrounds out in the boonies this way and I can share these maplets with anyone else with this program so they can also find the location. Custom locations that you add yourself can be programmed to show up in any zoom level(by checking boxes when you set it up). The colors the program uses can be set according to taste as can the sounds that indicate such things as gps lock, etc.
Wrapup:
If you already own a pda for other uses and do the occasional bit of travel, hiking, biking etc. you can't beat a setup like this for portability and cost. Dedicated mapping gps units that don't use a pda usually have many hidden costs such as proprietary memory cards and ridiculously priced map updates. The Holux CF GPS and mapopolis navigator are both very well regarded products and you pretty much can't go wrong with this combination.
update 2-2004:
Mapopolis has released version 4.37 of their software. This new version increases program performance and adds voice announcements of street names. Wow, what a difference over the old software. You now don't have to take your eyes off the road to look at the screen to see the name of the road you will be turning onto!! They've really made a good thing a whole lot better. My only complaint about this new version is the voice synthesis. They chose a male voice with a very low register that I can't understand over my built in speaker with all the car noise in the background, this is a minor thing and a fix is supposed to be in the works, for now a fm transmitter toy from radio shack will fix the problem in the car but won't be any help when using the unit handheld.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
suemccartin
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Location: Florida, USA
Reviews written: 280
Trusted by: 36 members
About Me:
Been building computers for 10+ years. I work to support my computer habit.
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