Pharos GPS for the Dell Axim

[RommelS]

Folks ...if you're interested of connecting your Dell Axim to a GPS, here is a good product that you might want to consider having. I use the iPaq 3900 series version of the Pharos GPS.

Pharos Dell Axim X5 GPS Kit with Mount

Source: Mobile Planet

Description
The Pharos GPS Navigation System is comprised of the iGPS-180 hardware and the Ostia navigation software with US Maps supplied on CD-ROMs. With the navigation software installed on your Pocket PC, locating your current position or finding a destination or point of interest (POI) is fast and simple. Routes can be calculated and viewed in street-level detail.

Once you're in your vehicle, simply activate the navigation program and begin traveling; the automated voice-prompts will instruct you when and where to turn. If by chance you go "off route," the automated voice will give an off-route warning. Simply push the "Action" button on your Pocket PC and the system will reroute you to your destination from your current position.

The Pocket GPS Navigator Kit for the Dell Axim X5 Pocket PC includes:
• iGPS-180 GPS Receiver
• Ostia Navigation Software with US Maps
• Cable Assembly for Dell Axim with Car Charger
• Vent Mounted PDA Holder

Specifications
iGPS-180 Hardware Features:
12 parallel channels
Built-in antenna
Fast acquisition and reacquisition
NMEA-0183 data protocol
Superior navigation performance in urban, canyon and foliage environments
Rigid shock and vibration compliant
FCC and CE compliant


Ostia Navigation Software:
Turn-by-turn voice and visual prompting
Customizable Voice Prompts
On-screen indicator for next turn direction and street name
On-screen display for distance to next turn and distance to final destination
Automatic map zooming when next turn is approaching
Reverse route calculation
Display highlighted route map or written text directions
One-touch or automatic rerouting
Map displayed as always "heading up" or always "north up"
Complete "real-time" demo through Simulation Mode
Zoom-in and zoom-out with stylus on screen
Display active satellites and signal strengths
Route by shortest distance, fastest route or by avoiding freeways
Create routes using addresses from your Pocket Outlook contacts folder
Record traveled routes with time stamps
Save stored routes into internal or external memory
Use Latitude/Longitude coordinates as destination or origin
View list of active maps
View complete functional compass on one screen with Latitude/Longitude, altitude, local time, current speed, and line of sight distance to destination
Setup wizard automatically configures the COM port for your Axim Pocket PC
Map Finder utility
Find maps using ZIP code or city name
Create a perimeter location to select necessary maps
View map file size before downloading to your PDA

Included in box:
iGPS-180 GPS Receiver, Ostia Navigation Software with US Maps, Cable Assembly for Dell Axim with Car Charger, Vent Mounted PDA Holder

[Starscream]

So it actually keeps up with driving like say in a city? thats some sweet action!

[RommelS]

Yeah ...It actually tells me if I'm getting close to a highway ramp exit or entrace that is on my route by saying "Junction Ahead" for example.

[Starscream]

thats deffintely nifty... now if only i can get a job that lets me afford such things (or pays for it even )!

[fsman]

What are the advantages of PDA/GPS kits over the stand alone GPS units that Garmin and other companies put out? The price to turn the Dell into a GPS using the Pharos kit is 250 dollars. There are stand alone GPS units in the 100 - 200 dollar range.

[Phil Dx]

Any gps with a serial link (that's most of them now) can feed location info to a pda. What you're paying for is the link hardware (the proprietary cable, charger, etc.) and the software.

A basic $100 gps has no software, to get street level navigation and spoken directions is what costs all that extra money. You're basically paying for data, they've made a big investment in programming and map aquisition and have to recoup their investment.

If you can find some nav. software cheap on eBay and are handy with a soldering iron you might be able to make your own system, but its probably best left to the experts.

[Computer Ninja]

Rommel, what was the cost of that system, 199 or 249? I see there are two different versions that Pharos has. I looked at Micro Center's website.

[RommelS]

When I posted this info, it was 239.95 at Mobile Planet

[Computer Ninja]

So that's 10 bux cheaper than the $249.95 price that Micro Center had.

[RommelS]

I got mine from eCost.com, and it was cheaper than other vendors out there, and the shipping & handling was great; priority overnight was only $10 when I purchased mine for my iPaq.