Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Inexpensive GPS questions. (Read 1 time) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Inexpensive GPS questions.
Yahoo Message Number: 47374
Has anyone seen the Delorme "Earthmate GPS" ?
 http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/

I am especially interested in the Laptop version since it would give a much bigger screen display.  At $129 it seems like a bargain but not sure if the software is up to the test as it seems to be with the 2610 Garmin unit that is my first choice.
 http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/configlaptop_info.asp

Has anyone used this unit?

Ron Tenny Tyrone, GA '05 MB goinabee
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Inexpensive GPS questions.
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 47375
I just looked at it a short while ago.  Seriously considering it.  It would be nice if it was compatable w/ MS Streets & Trips, but that would be too good to be true! I'm also considering Co-piolet 8, $299 w/ antena & s/w.
I'm going to have to look for reviews on them both.  Can't take them out of the RV as easily as the Garmin, but a laptop isn't much to carry, I do it a lot!  And... the capabilites of a laptop are much more!

lindatenny wrote:
Re: Inexpensive GPS questions.
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 47377
Quote
Has anyone seen the Delorme "Earthmate GPS" ?
Yes.

Have used Earthmate for two major trips. Very pleased with it.
Big learning curve but very good once you figure it out.

Microsoft has a competing software/GPS unit new to the market. Same price range as Delorme. A Froggle or Yahoo Shopping search should show a price in the $100 range.

I have both the Delorme program & the Microsoft Streets & Trips software. Use both for general trip planning. It's interesting that I frequently get two "fastest" routes for the same trip.  Prefer S&T of the two. More user firndly, more points-of-interest.  The major plus of these units versus a "regular" GPS unit is of course, the size of the screen. 15" versus a few inches. On the other hand, the driver can't view the screen while driving like you can do with a dash mounted unit. You must have a navigator. On the other hand, the cost is about $100 versus close to a $1,000 for a Garmin 2620.
On the other hand... I'm running out of hands. There is no one-size- fits-all answer to GPS units. Evaluate your needs, make your choice.
Ed.
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Inexpensive GPS questions.
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 47378
Quote
I just looked at it a short while ago.  Seriously considering it.
It would be nice if it was compatable w/ MS Streets & Trips, but that would be too good to be true!
The DeLorme GPS unit can be used with S&T. BUT, Microsoft now sells the S&T program with a GPS unit so that would seem to be your best bet.
Ed
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Inexpensive GPS questions.
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 47379
We already have MS S&T.  So, if we can use the s/w that we already have w/ the DeLorme GPS, that would be the ticket for us!  I'll check into that! Thanks for the tip!

Ed & Carol wrote:

Quote
The DeLorme GPS unit can be used with S&T. BUT, Microsoft now sells the S&T program with a GPS unit so that would seem to be your best bet.

Ed
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Inexpensive GPS questions.
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 47382
Quote
We already have MS S&T.  So, if we can use the s/w that we already have w/ the DeLorme GPS, that would be the ticket for us!  I'll check
into that!

Quote
Thanks for the tip!
You can't buy just the GPS unit from either DeLorme or Microsoft.
Only the package of the GPS unit and software.
Come on now, how's Bill Gates supposed to make a decent living if you don't buy the entire package???

Ed
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Inexpensive GPS questions.
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 47383
Quote
"You can't buy just the GPS unit from either DeLorme or ..." Only the package of the GPS unit and software.

Ed
Ed

I beg to differ, Ed. I have been using Delorme software for years.
About six months ago I purchased just the Earthmate GPS unit. Then, anticipating a new laptop, only a few weeks ago I ordered and received the Bluetooth Power Pack for the GPS. I'm looking forward to putting it all together as one unit in my 30' IB. Just think, no wires!!!!!!!!!!

Steve S.
Lazy Bones
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Inexpensive GPS questions.
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 47395
Quote


"You can't buy just the GPS unit from either DeLorme or ..." Only the package of the GPS unit and software.

Ed

Ed

I beg to differ, Ed. I have been using Delorme software for years.
About six months ago I purchased just the Earthmate GPS unit. Then, anticipating a new laptop, only a few weeks ago I ordered and received the Bluetooth Power Pack for the GPS. I'm looking forward to putting it all together as one unit in my 30' IB. Just think, no wires!!!!!!!!!!

Steve S.
Lazy Bones
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Inexpensive GPS questions.
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 47396
Quote


"You can't buy just the GPS unit from either DeLorme or ..." Only the package of the GPS unit and software.

Ed

Ed

I beg to differ, Ed. > Steve S.
Lazy Bones
I stand corrected.
Overall I have had good luck with DeLorme but am sometimes disappointed in the lack of points-of-interest. I'm planning a trip to the Southwest. Some of the state parks I plan to visit are in the Streets & Trips software but not in the DeLorme. There are two small towns in Texas that show clearly on the official Texas state map and in S&T but not in DeLorme. I really like the "radar" function to find what's coming up down the road.
Have fun: Ed
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Inexpensive GPS questions.
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 47406
Evelyn,

The older Delorme Tripmate had its own propritary interface.  My understanding is the the current smaller USB Tripmate is NMEA (?) compliant, which means it should work with other software such as MS Streets and Trips.
 Caveat:  This is theory only.  I have not tried it.  I still use the older Tripmate with Streetatlas.

HTH

Barry 2001 RB TX
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Inexpensive GPS questions.
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 47418
Thank You! That is exactly the info we're looking for.  We just decided to take the laptop to the electronics store try & buy it there.  Now, maybe, I don't have to.  I had also planed to call cust serv & see if any of the reps knew anything.  unlikely, but possible.
 
Re: Inexpensive GPS questions.
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 47811
Quote
Has anyone seen the Delorme "Earthmate GPS" ?
 http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/

I am especially interested in the Laptop version since it would give a much bigger screen display.  At $129 it seems like a bargain but not sure if the software is up to the test as it seems to be with the 2610 Garmin unit that is my first choice.
 http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/configlaptop_info.asp

Has anyone used this unit?

Ron Tenny Tyrone, GA '05 MB goinabee

Ron The Delorme Earthmate GPS works great. I've been using it since '03. I rigged a mount in the escape hatch for the GPS receiver. This summer I traveled the Lewis & Clark trail and completed a 7200 mile circle using the Earthmate with the Street Atlas software. It worked flawlessly. The bigger screen on a laptop is a plus.

Ron in Ohio