...so, I'm trying to decide either... going all out and getting a "Pioneer" DVD/Navi deck (and also with the iPod interface), but I'll be spending a ton of money on the actually unit itself AND labor... OR simply getting one of those "Pharos" GPS systems for my Dell x51v PDA... I know it's kinda cheesy, but I was wondering if anyone has/had experience with one of those "add-ons"...

If I was to go with the "Pioneer" deck w/iPod interface... we're talking about $2g's, where as the "Pharos" kit is around $200-$250.

 

I'd use a PDA only in a pinch, like if I was a passenger in a car w/o navi. In-dash is the way to go.

 

...yeah, I have admit... I'm leaning more towards that direction (Pioneer DVD/Navi deck)... just the fact that it's also got an optional iPod interface is a huge "plus".

The only thing is... I'm not sure how much longer I'll have my car...

 

I am glad you bought the Axim x51v. Unfortunately, I have not had great experiences with the GPS module offered for the PDA.

The problem mainly relates to memory issues. To fully store the Map of U.S. on your PDA you will need anywhere between 2 - 3 GB of storage space. So in most cases, you can only synchronize map information on particular regions within your PDA. It would not be a problem if you don't travel outside of your region, but if you do decide to go on a cross country trip, then you will have to not only need to bring your laptop, you may also have to stop and synchronize every for every 2 - 3 states you pass by, and quite frankly, that is just too much hassle to deal with. In addition, you may have to buy a separate SD card just to store the map information since your PDA's memory is limited, and that is another cost you will have to consider. Although the PDA modules are cheaper, but I really can't recommend the PDA module.

The Pioneer module is very expensive, but instead of the Pioneer module, you may also look at cheaper alternatives like Tomtom.

 

I think I'll just stick with these for now...





and...

 

i was thinking of getting a new PDA, the one i got right now is from 2001, and i think the charger unit is going bad.. anyways i was thinking of getting the tungsten t5? i think thats the one and the tomtom bluetooth GPS adaptor, =\

 

I just got a Palm TX. It has bluetooth so any BT GPS receiver, like Tom Tom's, should work with it. It has wifi too and wifi hotsyncing is pretty cool. Sometimes I get out to the car before I realize I haven't synced. Now I don't have to go back inside to sync.

 

I ride pretty frequently in van with this unit...pretty brain dead...gets us lost fairly often...very slow to update...and hella expensive...the guys who drive for us prefer a "stand alone" color magellan... ..they "steal" it from the other van whenever they can...