Decided it's high time to buy a gps gizmo for shopping for homes. The
only available unit I see that comes with map software is the DeLorme
Earthmate LT-40. No one has this unit in stock. Even DeLorme is out.

This sort of unit has been discussed here many times. Short of
buying an iPad2, what can I use? I see many gps usb and thumb
drive receivers
available. Nothing I have seen has software bundled. I want to use my
laptop because we store home sale info to view as we drive around,
and want the gps running for tracking those pesky houses down finally.

If I can get one that doubles as a cockpit device, I'll be
enlightened all the more.

Thanks for your input!
Ed Carver

Robin has a dedicated GPS moving map she can loan you and maybe you
can talk her into selling it cheap ($20) as she now has a GPS built
into her tablet and cell phone. I'll ask her when she wakes up. My
guess is those things are dime a dozen on ebay as they are now
obsolete big time. You can also a do screen shots of Google maps.

If you want a tablet I recommend a 10 inch with built in USB. The
Asus left that out in the Transformer. Fry's and Best Buys have a
good selection in Oxnard. I think the Toshiba is about the best
right at the moment. The Ipad screen blows up at over 10,000 feet. I
am not sure the Toshiba won't. Too early to tell. The aviation
software for the Android is not quite as good as it is for the Ipad
right at the moment. Things are changing by the minute.

Paul Lamar


Hi Ed,
Try looking at www.canadagps.com <http://www.canadagps.com>
<http://www.canadagps.com>__Globalsat BU-353. This one says good to
18,000m/60,000ft and 1000
knots. USB plug in. There is also a Dongle device.

Dale Davies

The BU-353 GPS Receiver can be utilized in a variety of
applications that may require a magnetic mounting with a waterproof
configuration. With non-slip on the base and its compact design, the
BU-353 is completely self-contained and waterproof. It incorporates
the latest SiRF Star III GPS chipset and an active patch antenna so
you receive the highest degree of GPS accuracy. Typical application
may include, but not limited to marine, aviation, and commercial
environments in such uses as fire truck, police cars, buses, utility
& long haul vehicles. The extended 5 feet long cable allows for easy
routing behind headliners and side panels to terminate at a USB
connector for interfacing with your Laptop / ibook. / PowerBook.

That is just a receiver Dale.

It is the Ipad screen that blows up.


Paul Lamar

The bu 353 could work if there is a software bundle for maps etc.
Otherwise it looks like just another receiver. The above mentioned
Delorme unit comes with a complete travel gps suite where you can input
many stops  and it will plan a route for you. I think $50 is cheap for
that flexibility, but not in stock anywhere.

I'm looking at the tablets now. The asking price for the Thrive 4g is
nearly $600. With the tablets changing so rapidly, why would'nt using a
laptop with a receiver and a software suite be more "Future Flexible"?
The laptops have greater capabilities due to their processing power and
storage; various interface options, connectivity, etc.

Thanks gents!
Ed Carver

Robin wants $25 for the dedicated. Now all we have to do is find it :)
One of these days someone is going to put a gps in a notebook computer
and allow it to run Android aps.

Paul Lamar

OK we found it. Works comes with wall charger and car charger.
It is a MIO. It does everything as it is an early tablet with a
built Linux. Four inch diagonal screen.  You can store movies and
pictures. It talks blue tooth so it will work with a cell phone. It
has a calculator. It has an SD card slot for expanding the memory to
16 gig or so. A most amazing device. It is getting six sats in my
office.
http://us.mio.com/

It is a model C520 the top of the line.

Paul Lamar


That should work. We will go shopping again tomorrow. Can we pick it up
tomorrow? There is a house a few miles up the road to Ojai.

Ed Carver

Sure Ed. It is a fun toy :)
I have been playing with it for over an hour.

Paul Lamar